According to BGR , Apple has opened the door for iPhones to be allowed to download applications from third-party stores (sideloading) in the EU, bringing with it a series of new features such as an independent app store, a separate payment system, support for cloud gaming applications and changing the default browser.
But this seemingly beneficial opening comes with a cost, as developers face tough choices about new fees imposed by Apple. There are also a number of other barriers that make sideloading on the iPhone difficult. Let’s take a look at the major barriers that make sideloading on the iPhone difficult.
EU Wall
Downloading apps from outside stores is limited to EU countries. Apple will prevent international users from exploiting this feature by checking the billing address of the Apple ID account, the current country location, the region settings in iOS, and the device type. Therefore, using a VPN to 'bypass the barrier' will not be effective.
Tough Choices for Developers
Developers must choose between maintaining their old agreement with Apple or accepting a new contract. Once they have switched to a new contract, they cannot revert to their old status. If they risk sideloading and it doesn’t work, developers must create a new account and port their app to the App Store, which is a very complicated and laborious process.
Forced to open app store
Next, developers would have to create their own app marketplaces to replace the App Store. But they wouldn't have priority in selling their own apps, and would have to be open to any other developer who wanted to sell apps through their store instead of the App Store.
Third-party app markets should allow apps from a variety of developers
Get users to download your app
Once you've agreed to let other developers upload their apps to the standalone app marketplace, the next step is to get users excited about downloading them.
To do that, developers need to drive users to their own website to download their app marketplaces, where they can find their exclusive apps. But the problem is that the app development community can't share information about their own app marketplaces on the App Store for users to understand. Because Apple won't help promote third-party app marketplaces.
Application review
All apps in the app store must be approved by Apple (Notarization). This process is not as strict as the App Store review (which can ban apps based on content), but Apple will still review apps according to specific rules.
So if Epic wants to sell Fortnite in their own app store as they have stated, they will have to create a developer account with Apple, through which all apps in their store are reviewed.
Concerns for users
All of this comes down to the EU’s Digital Markets Regulation (DMA), so it can be a long process for developers who want to take advantage of the DMA regulations to sideload their apps. This means some developers will continue to offer their apps on the App Store until their standalone app marketplaces are fully operational.
However, this inadvertently creates a big challenge for users, when they are forced to choose between continuing to use applications on the App Store, with relative convenience and security but having to comply with Apple's terms. Or switching to using applications from independent markets, which may take longer to install, have more potential risks but bring greater freedom of choice. This is not an easy decision for many users.
iPad not supported
The iOS sideloading experience follows DMA rules only for iPhones, hence the widely used term "iPhone sideloading".
Even though the iPad runs a custom version of iOS, there is no support for app sideloading, third-party app stores, or external payment methods. This makes downloading and managing app data even more complicated and difficult for users. Imagine having to use a different version of Spotify on your iPad and iPhone.
iPad will not support app sideloading
iPad discrimination can come from two sources:
- Apple is concerned about security and data management issues on the iPad's large screen.
- Apple prioritizes the iPhone, its higher-revenue device, in rolling out new features.
Whatever the reason, this will create resentment among iPad users. App developers will also be affected, as they are forced to maintain two separate versions for different devices, which is more resource-intensive and labor-intensive.
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