Apple has maintained an exclusive App Store as the exclusive source for iPhone app downloads. However, the corporation may soon open up access to this gated community so that iPhone users can sideload programs.
As reported by Bloomberg, the Cupertino firm will lay the basis for such features in iOS 17. According to a newsletter published by tech reporter Mark Gurman, Apple is revamping its software to support sideloading. This development could be announced at June’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
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A shift in European regulation regarding sideloading was rumored in a Bloomberg report from the previous year. The Digital Market Act (DMA) of the European Union will become law in that year. The act mandates that large internet firms permit third-party app stores on their platforms, giving app creators and users more options for where to find and install software.
Whether Apple intends to provide sideloading with iOS 17 or is simply making modifications at the OS level to make it possible at some point in the future is unknown. There was no quick response from the corporation.
Apple executives like Tim Cook and Craig Federighi have traditionally been against sideloading due to security and privacy concerns.
Apple will reportedly reveal new versions of iOS, macOS, and tvOS, according to Bloomberg. There will be minor tweaks to various OSes, but watchOS may see significant UI changes.
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Naturally, everyone will be looking forward to Apple’s planned reveal of its first XR headset, which will reportedly target programmers first. Developers will have the tools they need to create apps for the headgear after the business releases a new operating system and a software development kit.
