Apple stands sideloading soon on the iPhone, but that will not happen without limitations. This is what we already know about the big change in iOS 17.4.
Side loading coming to the iPhone
It will soon be possible to download apps without the App Store, because sideloading coming to your iPhone. This has to do with new European legislation, which states that there must be multiple ways to install apps. Apple therefore doesn’t have much time left to do it sideloading of apps in iOS 17. This will probably happen soon in iOS 17.4.
Also read: Apple must release iOS 17.4 soon – here’s why
At the moment it is almost only possible to install apps from the App Store on your iPhone. Apple has several reasons for this, for example, all apps are checked before they appear in the App Store. With this, Apple tries to guarantee the safety of users. Developers also have to give a certain commission to Apple. According to new rumors, this will soon also be the case sideloading on the iPhone.
Apple implements these restrictions
Apple is reportedly planning to join as well sideloading on the iPhone to ask for a commission. In the United States that is 27 percent, so it is expected that Apple will charge a similar percentage to developers in Europe. This will be a setback for (smaller) developers, who thought that this commission could be avoided by not offering apps in the App Store.
In addition, according to rumors, Apple still plans to monitor apps, even if they are not installed via the App Store. It is still unclear exactly how this happens, but Apple still determines which apps you can and cannot install. The advantage here is that the chance of unreliable software in apps is smaller. The disadvantage is that you also have to… sideloading you have little freedom when installing apps on your iPhone.
App Store will be different in iOS 17.4
The question is therefore whether Apple complies with European legislation after the update. The new law is intended to give small developers a fairer chance, but Apple’s committees may prevent that again. At least it seems so sideloading comes to your iPhone with iOS 17.4, making installing applications very different.
Also read: Apple is removing 2.3 million apps from the App Store – here’s why
As a user you probably won’t notice much of the changes in the App Store, it’s mainly about the software that is different. We don’t have to wait much longer for iOS 17.4, because Apple must adhere to the European Union’s deadline. That means that sideloading coming to your iPhone before March 6, 2024. Soon you will finally be able to install apps without the App Store, if you want to.
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