An analysis of iOS 17.2 beta by 9to5Mac reveals that Apple might start allowing users to sideload apps from outside the App Store, which the European Union’s Digital Markets Act demands.
Apple has already buckled under pressure from the European Union in the past—by switching the Lightning connector on its iPhones to the USB-C standard. Now, iOS 17.2 beta suggests that the company is once again going to follow a European Union directive by allowing iPhone users to “sideload” apps from outside the App Store.
The European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) sets a series of obligations for “gatekeepers” to ensure fair and open digital markets. Apple is one of the companies designated as a gatekeeper and according to the DMA, it will have to start allowing end users to install apps from outside the company’s App Store.
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Currently, if you own an iPhone, the only way to sideload apps from outside the App Store is by first jailbreaking the device. But now, 9to5Mac has found evidence in the iOS 17.2 beta code that suggests Apple is moving towards allowing users to sideload apps on their iOS devices.
iOS 17.2 has a public framework called “Managed App Distribution.” Based on 9to5Mac’s analysis of the API, they found that it has an extension endpoint declared in the system. This means that other apps can create extensions of this type, They also found another unused entitlement that gives third-party apps permission to install other apps. To put it simply, it would allow developers to create their own app stores.
While Apple has created provisions to begin allowing sideloading in the App Store, it is not clear when and if the company will activate it. The company has until March 2024 to comply with the European Union’s DMA. It is also expected to appeal to the union in an attempt to preserve its App Store status quo.
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First published on: 11-11-2023 at 11:51 IST
Deepak Sen is a tech enthusiast who covers the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets. His articles provide readers with a glimpse into the ever-evolving world of technology.
