In the upcoming year iPhone users in the European Union will reportedly have the ability to download apps from sources beyond Apple’s official App Store. This development is in alignment with European regulations, as revealed by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
Otherwise known as sideloading, the change coming sometime in the first half of 2024 will allow customers to download apps without needing to use the App Store, which will mean developers won’t need to pay Apple’s 15 to 30 percent fees.
Writing in the latest subscriber edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman said Apple will introduce a “highly controlled system” that lets EU users install apps hosted elsewhere. Apple also will reportedly alter Messages and payment apps as part of the changes, likely via a localized iOS 17 update.
Gurman’s latest information contradicts a recent report suggesting that sideloading could be introduced with Apple’s anticipated iOS 17.2 software update, expected next month. The confusion arose from misinterpreting new code, which was actually related to an upcoming framework for organizations to distribute apps internally to their employees.
The European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), in effect since November 1, 2022, mandates “gatekeeper” companies to open their services and platforms to other developers and companies. This legislation is poised to significantly impact Apple’s platforms, potentially leading to substantial changes in the App Store, Messages, FaceTime, Siri, and more.
Despite Apple’s assertion that sideloading could compromise user privacy and security, the company must adhere to the DMA guidelines, risking fines of up to 20 percent of its global revenue if EU laws are violated.
In a December 2022 report, Gurman mentioned Apple’s consideration of implementing security measures, such as a verification process, potentially subject to a fee, as an alternative to revenue from app sales. Apple already employs a verification system on Mac, allowing users secure access to apps outside the Mac App Store.
If other countries enact similar legislation, the scope of alternate app stores could expand beyond the European Union. Notably, the United States is contemplating regulations that would compel Apple to permit sideloading.