iOS 17 may bring a huge new feature everyone has been clamoring for for years: the option to sideload apps. No more confinement to the walled garden of the App Store!
I’ve already talked about the 5 features to look forward to in iOS 17, but this recent report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman includes what might be the biggest change to iPhone software in years.
In more than just the hardware, the iPhone 15 could be a paradigm shift for Apple’s smartphone business.
No more app store requirement
(Image credit: Apple)
It all started with the signing of the European Union (EU) Digital Markets Act on November 1, 2022 (alongside the USB-C requirement). There’s a lot of jargon out there, but it basically implemented a requirement that “gatekeeper” companies open up their platforms and services to third-party developers.
This is a tectonic shift for how Apple has typically done its business – locking down everything for a seamless user experience and slashing app sales/subscriptions for fun. However, with the EU able to fine companies up to 20% of their global turnover for not following the rules, the Cupertino-based company will comply.
So, in just a few months, new third-party app stores could become available for the iPhone, alongside the option to just download them directly from the developers’ websites. It also means the developer could take home a lot more of their app sales revenue than before!
The future is bright, but is it safe?
(Image credit: 343 Industries, Epic Games)
This opens many doors that were previously closed. The first obvious point to talk about is the possibility of Fortnite returning to iPhone. A legal battle between Epic and Apple ended iPhone support for the game, but this change in how iOS works means the runway for the battle royale spectacle is now clear to land back on Apple’s turf.
Not only that, but I’m particularly excited that Microsoft can now bypass the App Store’s ruling on its Game Pass streaming app. If you recall, Apple ruled that the former xCloud app broke their rules by trying to run an app store alternative and made it a requirement for Xbox to list each individual game as individual apps in to set up their store.
But with iOS 17 that would no longer be a problem. And we could very well see many more iPhone users making the most of their Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
(Image credit: Microsoft)
However, what is happening in terms of security? Sideloading apps on Android has shown more advantages than disadvantages, but it has led to many vulnerabilities and data exposures that we’ve reported ad nauseam.
However, Apple has a fix for this and is investigating how the Mac works. Software downloaded outside of the App Store goes through a verification system on the system itself, which performs a background check of all files in the app itself.
Gurman confirmed in a December 2022 report that Apple was planning to do the same for the iPhone. Also, the company could charge a fee for this security screening service to make up for the lost revenue it could have made by cutting App Store sales.
outlook
(Image credit: Future)
There are many things Android phones can do better than an iPhone, but the ability to sideload apps has always been a fundamental blow to Apple’s record. Usually, you are only limited to the iOS App Store for downloading software, with no option to download anything from anywhere else.
Now, however, thanks to the EU, we can very well see the iPhone finally opening up support for third-party app stores. This could open the doors to so many apps and games that we don’t have access to due to Apple’s stricter regulations on app store submissions.
The only question now is how will Apple handle the security side? Sure, the idea for security checks is a good one, but keeping track of all the workarounds is going to be quite a task. Time will tell what else comes with iOS 17.
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