iOS 17 to Support App Sideloading to Comply With European Regulations

[JonathanX64]

The point is a lot of very computer literate people think it’s a security problem and a bad idea.

Allowing users with access to internal corporate networks to run third party software is a bad idea, sure.

Restricting every person on the planet to only run software approved by US company is also a bad idea.

 

[tuckerjj]

Allowing users with access to internal corporate networks to run third party software is a bad idea, sure.

Restricting every person on the planet to only run software approved by US company is also a bad idea.

So it’s a bad idea for corporate users but fine for home users?

I agree with your second point, but that’s why it’s good that there are choices other than Apple, a choice which is being taken away here since Apple are being forced to operate like those other options.

 

[EvilEngineer]

People shouldn't be cheering for side loading to happen: you are cheering for the fact that the EU is taking away power from Apple and redistributing it across multiple big companies (Google, Epic, Microsoft, Adobe...). Are you sure that giving more money to Google instead of Apple is a good idea? And on top of this, how can you be happy about having to deal with multiple payment processing systems just to use your favorite apps and services?

It's called competition and of course it's a good thing.

It's not about giving more money to one particular mega-coporation or another. It's about making them compete for YOUR patronage on cost, features or both.

Apple has way too much power at the moment and the same goes for Google on Android and search. Also for Facebook/Meta on social media.

They all need a dose of competition to give consumers a better deal. I really don't understand the Stockholm Syndrome, none of these companies are your friend and non of them have your best interests at heart. They just want as much of your money as possible and we will only get a better deal as consumers when meaningful alternatives exist and we can choose what is best for us.

 

[Shirasaki]

For everyone who keeps using security to argue against sideloading, iOS HAS malware, even though they are more targeted than you guys think. However, nothing stops someone to develop a malware and infect iOS devices en mass. Sideloading can’t stop that malware from happening.

Also, hackers have more Or less moved away from infecting devices directly when they try to steal your Money. They infect you, the user. It has nothing to do with the sideloading. If you are compromised, a secured iOS can’t save you, whether sideloading exist or not.

Lastly, Business always aim for the goal Of achieving unlimited profit, and Wall Street will make sure unlimited profit is a reality that lasts forever At the cost of anything and everything. Apple will never do good things for customer specifically. They always frame them. If you have Been tricked, sad on you.

 

[quietstormSD]

We have been able to "side load" on the Mac system since forever, and it has been a blessing as I have been able to download apps that q) more complete than their App Store versions, b) download apps that compete directly with Apple's apps, and c) down load apps whose cost 100% goes to the developers. One has to be a little more careful, but then Apple hasn't been that good at protecting us from bad players in the iOS App Store. (It's always been more about protecting Apple's profits than protecting the consumer)

It's about choice, folks. If you want the walled garden you are free to stick with the App Store. But I for one look forward to the expanded choices soon to become available.

Ofcourse it's profits, but I don't doubt they love having full control over their eco-system with the iPhone. Also the iPhone is much more widely used then Macs. The only reason why the open Mac ecosystem isn't riddled with spy and malware is because the people that make those don't want to bother with such a small ecosystem compared to Windows. This is widely known.

 

[Shirasaki]

Allowing side loading is a mistake.

Big companies will start distributing their software outside the App Store to make more money and the user experience will suffer. Here's what is gonna happen:

1) Users won't be able to manage all their subscriptions in one place (you'll have to manually keep track of side loaded apps subscriptions separately).
2) Users won't be able to install every app from just the App Store anymore. Instead they will have to find stuff on Google, which will be full of sponsored links that will potentially install garbage and malware on their phone instead of the software they are looking for.
3) Users will have to put up with several competing payment processing systems, some of which probably won't even accept Apple Pay but will require the user to give away their credit card info to access.

And I'm sure there's more that I haven't yet thought about.

I hate the EU for these stupid regulations. I suspect big corporations are actually behind this: somebody must be getting paid by Google, Epic, Microsoft, Adobe etc... to make this happen.

People shouldn't be cheering for side loading to happen: you are cheering for the fact that the EU is taking away power from Apple and redistributing it across multiple big companies (Google, Epic, Microsoft, Adobe...). Are you sure that giving more money to Google instead of Apple is a good idea? And on top of this, how can you be happy about having to deal with multiple payment processing systems just to use your favorite apps and services?

People, this is DUMB. Wake up.

It is NOT a mistake because Apple can literally shut down App Store tomorrow if they feel like it and we’d have no more apps to update/download. And Apple alone has been dictating what they want and what they don’t want. Remember, keyword is always “they”, not you.

I can clearly see you have completely fallen into Apple‘s trap thinking they are doing good things for customer. They don’t and they never will. Hate EU all you want today, and then take what happens today for granted a few years later, completely forgetting how good this move can be. The ultimate goal of Wall Street is making sure all corporations can achieve unlimited profit indefinitely at any and all costs, including the total destruction of our planet, as they have proven did in the past (cough, high reliance on cars, cough).

If you are willing to support such corporation profiteering from you in your lifetime, feel free. Other folks don’t want them to have unlimited power and no balance of check in place.

 

[bastoshaq]

No problem. Just use other apps then.
You aren’t forced to use Facebook or the Facebook app.

Indeed. But then, why the fuss in forcing Apple to allow side-loading? You aren't forced to use an iPhone or you aren't forced to put your app in the App Store. Just use other platforms.

100% disagree. Consumer always has the choice. You have the choice to look elsewhere or don't buy it at all.

So many conspiracy theories here with doomsday scenarios and authoritarian governments and real out-there forecasts of what will happen when all you have to do is look at the Mac side of things where, guess what? You have a choice to buy apps from the App Store OR from the software company direct. It's been that way for years and no one complains about being forced to be tracked or submit to the ways of an authoritarian government.

People need to get a grip. Sideloading may save you some money or get you more features in an app that normally was only available through the App Store. If Meta wants to force you to sideload so they can track you, why would you want anything to do with them in the first place? Newsflash -- You don't NEED Facebook, or Instagram or Twitter. I don't use FB or Twit and my life is just fine. It's YOUR choice.

Why not say "Consumer always has the choice. You have the choice to look elsewhere or don't buy it at all." when asked why should Apple allow this? Use other platforms. You have a choice. You want a more open system, there are alternatives.

In my POV, making iOS more open when there are other alternatives with a more open approach is just making things all the same. It is just odd. You have a choice, like you say. I have an iPhone because I want. And if I didn't like it, I would change it. When I pay for it, I know what I am paying for. If Meta decides to pull all their apps, If I value more FB, Insta instead of the phone/system, I move to another platform. Like I had to do when I wanted a more versatile machine to play games – had a PS4 and decided to buy a PC.

Everyone talks about the 30% that Apple takes. Well if apps increase their prices to gain the same margin (when in comparison with other platforms), it would be down to the user to decide if they want to pay more, not pay, or change platforms to pay less.

You are now telling me that if I don't like the iOS as it is now, to go elsewhere - That is what people against this have been saying - if you don't like that you cannot sideload, go elsewhere.

 

[quietstormSD]

I do think it's about time they allow this. Sure put like 5000 disclaimers and warnings, but just allow it. I doubt most people will sideload on iPhone's. Technically they allow side-loading of apps right now through giving certificate/profile permissions, but hardly anyone does it. I don't even know how prevalent it is on Android's for the average user.

 

[Ethosik]

Then this would rampant on Android.
It isn't.

There will be growing pains (likely).

This keeps getting posted. People please understand Epic has also sued Google since it is "difficult" to side-load on Android. Android will be changing too. This is driven by companies not customers. And once something gets started on iPhone, EVERYONE follows. So Android will change when iOS changes.

 

[ifxf]

Good luck with that fancy email app that CCs a message to some address in China every time you send a mail.

As opposed to Facebook selling your messages to a 3rd party who then resells it to China.

 

[klittle32]

I’m not sure what the state of jail breaking is, but does anyone know if Apple ever tried arguing to the EU that, given that jail breaking is possible, sideloading apps is already possible on iOS?

 

[Ethosik]

The most laughable part about all of this is how Apple previously claimed that third-party apps would disrupt platform security or whatever.

If the iOS security model is so weak that it requires manual review of every submitted app, then users probably should not trust App Store apps either.

Perhaps with this move, Apple will finally enforce sandboxing and permissions properly on all apps, which would be a win for everyone.

I bet you iOS is not very secure at all. This will just introduce a lot of problems. Even the presence of the setting I fully expect a lot more exploits for iOS going forward.

 

[iOS Geek]

Other folks don’t want them to have unlimited power and no balance of check in place.

And other folks don’t want foreign governments making decisions forcing a change in their lives! I don’t live in an EU country. Their sphere of influence in terms of regulations should STOP at their borders. These are people who I have no say in electing…making decisions about what I should have based on what THEY want (Wow…almost like what Apple does. The kind of thing they’re complaining about). Honestly, if the EU wants to have this kind of power where they get to make decisions that force changes that impact the whole world…we should all get a say in their elections! Here’s the thing…if users actually WANTED this bs…it would come without having to be forced.

Outside of MacRumors…how often do you hear “man, I wish Apple allowed sideloading!”? Yeah…me either.

 

[Ethosik]

This argument was used a couple of times here already, but come on. 'Side-loading' is possible on macOS, Windows and Android. Yet most of the apps, especially popular ones, are still available on Mac App Store, Microsoft Store and Google Play. And they're not going away anywhere; just don't forget to pay 30% more for your subscription because of Apple's cut (or Google's cut, or Microsoft's cut).

This is completely false. Most of my Apps are not on the Mac App Store at all. I need to go to about 15 websites to download all my stuff when I reinstall or get a new device. In fact, it is the exact opposite, most stuff is NOT on the Mac App Store.

 

[Ethosik]

For everyone who keeps using security to argue against sideloading, iOS HAS malware, even though they are more targeted than you guys think. However, nothing stops someone to develop a malware and infect iOS devices en mass. Sideloading can’t stop that malware from happening.

Also, hackers have more Or less moved away from infecting devices directly when they try to steal your Money. They infect you, the user. It has nothing to do with the sideloading. If you are compromised, a secured iOS can’t save you, whether sideloading exist or not.

Lastly, Business always aim for the goal Of achieving unlimited profit, and Wall Street will make sure unlimited profit is a reality that lasts forever At the cost of anything and everything. Apple will never do good things for customer specifically. They always frame them. If you have Been tricked, sad on you.

Sideloading will make it worse, certainly won't make malware situation BETTER. And now since you can completely bypass Apple's review, expect malware situation to get far worse.

 

[Shirasaki]

And other folks don’t want foreign governments making decisions forcing a change in their lives! I don’t live in an EU country. Their sphere of influence should STOP at their borders. These are people who I have no say in electing…making decisions about what I should have based on what THEY want (Wow…almost like what Apple does. The kind of thing they’re complaining about). Here’s the thing…if users actually WANTED this bs…it would come without having to be forced.

Outside of MacRumors…how often do you hear “man, I wish Apple allowed sideloading!”? Yeah…me either.

Foreign government making decisions forcing a change in their lives? ******* are you talking about? Long before sideloading, or even iPhone, becomes a thing, your Life has already been flooded with Made in China products. Can we call China, which is a foreign government, making decisions forcing a change in your life by making their products insanely cost competitive?

Also, who says App Store will be shut down after iOS 17 release? You can continue to use App Store to download apps just like before. I struggle to understand what part of your life is impacted by allowing sideloading.

 

[Ethosik]

And other folks don’t want foreign governments making decisions forcing a change in their lives! I don’t live in an EU country. Their sphere of influence in terms of regulations should STOP at their borders. These are people who I have no say in electing…making decisions about what I should have based on what THEY want (Wow…almost like what Apple does. The kind of thing they’re complaining about). Honestly, if the EU wants to have this kind of power where they get to make decisions that force changes that impact the whole world…we should all get a say in their elections! Here’s the thing…if users actually WANTED this bs…it would come without having to be forced.

Outside of MacRumors…how often do you hear “man, I wish Apple allowed sideloading!”? Yeah…me either.

That is why this is just purely driven by businesses. And people NEED to realize that Epic also sued Google since they claim it's "too difficult" to side-load on Android. If Businesses are driving this (they are), then expect Android to change too. And every big important app will be pulled from BOTH iOS and Android App Stores and only offered in their companies App Store.

But at that point it will be too late. People just don't understand and think long term and see the consequences of this.

 

[0924487]

Good, TikTok will never get banned in the US now. People can download the TikTok app directly from TikTok International. It's impossible to block via IP because it will cost the US government 100 billion+ in infrastructure to achive that, and at the same time slow down internet massively.

 

[0924487]

And other folks don’t want foreign governments making decisions forcing a change in their lives! I don’t live in an EU country. Their sphere of influence in terms of regulations should STOP at their borders. These are people who I have no say in electing…making decisions about what I should have based on what THEY want (Wow…almost like what Apple does. The kind of thing they’re complaining about). Honestly, if the EU wants to have this kind of power where they get to make decisions that force changes that impact the whole world…we should all get a say in their elections! Here’s the thing…if users actually WANTED this bs…it would come without having to be forced.

Outside of MacRumors…how often do you hear “man, I wish Apple allowed sideloading!”? Yeah…me either.

Says an American...

 

[Marie.D]

So, based on this logic, Apple should also build a back door into iOS so that they can "track down" terrorists because the government should have access to anyone's device at the same control as you want.

I stopped after reading this, holy moly this is such a leap of logic no reasonable person would make. I don't know how you read my post saying "I think we should be able to install apps that are not from the App Store" to "I want the government to make a backdoor to track terrorists". Absolutely unhinged.

 

[Shirasaki]

Sideloading will make it worse, certainly won't make malware situation BETTER. And now since you can completely bypass Apple's review, expect malware situation to get far worse.

Certainly? Are you that sure? iOS hasn’t even been subjected to sideloading yet, and somehow so many folks are absolutely certain App Store’s days are numbered? I can tell ya, one Of the main reasons android is less secure is because of OS fragmentation. iOS has much less of that.

Bypassing Apple’s review? As if Apple’s review is always flawless and designed with protecting customer in Mind, when in reality scam apps and copycats flourish on App Store, hurting legitimate developer and customer alike while only apple takes benefit from them. That happens long before sideloading.

Tunnel vision is bad, bro.

 

[0924487]

Perfect, then we can sideload apps that don’t comply with EU:s total surveillance system, “Chat control.”

VPN is banned in China. Now, people can just sideload VPN apps.

If TikTok is banned in the US, people can just sideload.

Pornography, piracy, US military activity realtime traking, app-specific adblocking, etc., are banned in the app store, now those apps can be sideloaded.

 

[joloriquelme]

Alternative a)

Apple will allow sideloading:

- Only models with 6 GB RAM or more will be compatible
- Will be under a sandbox virtual machine inside iOS or iPadOS, with every layer (storage, photos, camera, on their own - no interact with core operating system resources)
- Will be an on/off switch in advanced options in settings, warning:
* It will reduce system performance considerably

You can install whatever you want on your device, but this will NOT interact with the core operating system at any level.

Alternative b)

Apple will allow sideloading, natively:

- Every iOS 17 supported model will be compatible
- Will be an on-only switch in advanced options in settings, warning:
* Face ID will be disabled
* Apple Pay will be disabled
* FaceTime will be disabled
* Apple Watch integration will be disabled
* Only App Store will remain enabled and possibly Apple Music and Apple TV+
- You will have 3 warning messages indicating that this could put your data at risk
- In order to disable it and revert to normal no-sideloading operation, you must factory-reset your iPhone

Basically, you will have an unlocked iPhone, but crippled.

This will comply with EU regulation: you want to install whatever you want? Cool, install whatever you want. Then, if this is useful or not, or cripple your iPhone, it's not their problem.

 

[0924487]

Sideloading will make it worse, certainly won't make malware situation BETTER. And now since you can completely bypass Apple's review, expect malware situation to get far worse.

If you are smart enough to sideload, you are smarter than Apple app renew chimps.

 

[0924487]

It’s time for Apple to get the hell out of Europe. Pull out the iPhone. Let them use Android only. That will teach them a lesson.

It’s the Apple’s platform: hardware and software. Apple doesn’t have to allow a third-party App Store on their platform. If the European courts have ruled against Apple, then Apple should leave.

Huawei, Xiaomi and Oppo will thank you.