In the coming year, iPhone users in the European Union will have the option to download apps from sources outside the App Store, a move known as sideloading, to comply with regional regulations. Expected in the first half of 2024, this change allows users to bypass the App Store and frees developers from Apple's usual 15 to 30 percent fees.
According to Mark Gurman, Apple plans to introduce a controlled system for EU users to install apps from external sources, along with adjustments to Messages and payment apps via a localized iOS 17 update.
Contrary to recent reports, side-loading is not expected with the iOS 17.2 update. The European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), in effect since November 2022, mandates "gatekeeper" companies like Apple to open their services to other developers, potentially leading to significant changes in various Apple services.
Despite Apple's privacy and security concerns, compliance with the DMA is essential to avoid fines. Gurman's December 2022 report indicates Apple is considering security measures like a verification process, potentially subject to fees. This system, similar to the one on Mac, aims to ensure user safety while enabling access to apps beyond the Mac App Store.
Similar legislation in other countries could extend the concept of alternate app stores. In the United States, ongoing considerations involve legislation that might require Apple to allow side-loading.
