Sideloading On iOS For Global Users?

By Kyler G, 29 January, 2024

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

Recently, Apple announced in a newsroom post that they would be allowing sideloading on iOS, along with third-party browser engines and payment services. For me, this decision begs the question of whether even that is violating consumer choice protocols in other parts of the world. I've taken to Change.org to try and resolve this, but I would like to hear some other oppinions.

https://www.change.org/giveusotherchoices

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Comments

By Siobhan on Thursday, January 25, 2024 - 20:19

I'm in America, though I do wish Apple let you install apps, expand your music library on your own terms. I'd rather give the 10 bucks to a hard working lady and her bandmates, then let Apple yank 30% or something of that ten bucks. I'd like the ability to do such things above though I see if Apple even relaxes at all, so many sighted and other users will install stuff, I see problems coming up right and left. If Apple had an advanced use case wherein it was still possible to be virus free becuase they were watching, yet allow things i've spoken about to happen, maybe the EU law wouldn't have had to happen? I don't know much about the eU and things so frogive the lack of knowledge.

By Igna Triay on Thursday, January 25, 2024 - 20:19

Just put a disclaimer saying that you’re installing third party apps etc from other stores at your own risk. If you get a virus or your phone gets messed up because of something you did... your problem, apple is not to blame.
Kind of like jailbreaking, you can do it, but if your not careful and thingsgo south... its on you.

By Chris on Thursday, February 1, 2024 - 20:19

More legislation is required. Either that, or everyone should start boycotting Apple products! I'm not surprised, just really sad. there are so many talented people working at Apple doing all kinds of wonderful things, yet they run the company in such an anticompetitive, hostile, and tight-lipped manner. That's the kindest way I can put it without breaking any of the rules on this website. Wow! It reinforces my decision to never purchase another Apple product ever again. There's so much wasted talent and potential.

By Enes Deniz on Thursday, February 1, 2024 - 20:19

the regulations, unless somehow circumvented or rendered practically ineffective by Apple, might actually incentivize Apple to create its own alternatives for profit and make better hardware and a better, bug-free operating system instead of making more and more money through the apps that others make and growing on others' labor. Let's be realistic though.

By charles on Thursday, February 1, 2024 - 20:19

Apple did not want to incorporate this feature. They are being forced by the European Union. Side loading apps from other sources is only going to cause problems. SpyWare and apps that will possibly make your iDevice an expensive paperweight are in our future. If people watch what they are installing, it wouldn't be a problem, but I'm sure that we all know that there will be carelessness, big time. I agree that there should be a disclaimer that popo up each time something is about to be downloaded from any source that warns that Apple will not be responsible for any damage or bugs that come onto your device. But this side loading issue should in no way be blamed on Apple.

By Enes Deniz on Thursday, February 1, 2024 - 20:19

  1. Those wishing can already jailbreak their devices, so the claim that third-party app stores would enable those with malicious purposes to infect our devices, if deliberate, would be nothing more than an attempt to distort the reality. It is not third-party app stores that make this possible.
  2. Apple will already review all the apps published on third-party stores as well, so it will still be Apple who is responsible for malware or spyware.
  3. The fact that Apple was forced to allow for third-party app stores, must be discussed separately from the fact that it can be abused. You can already install apps on MacOS devices from sources other than the Apple App Store, which can be and is abused too. Not only that, Apple assumes no responsibility for any damage arising from the (mis)use of anything you install from other sources. The iPhone app stores will all be reviewed by Apple though.