https://9to5mac.com/2023/11/10/ios-17-2-sideload-apps/ Skip to main content Toggle main menu Go to the 9to5Mac home page Switch site * * * * * * * * * * Toggle social menu * * * Toggle dark mode Toggle search form Search for: [ ] Submit * 9to5Toys * 9to5Google * Electrek * DroneDJ * Space Explored * About * Privacy * Exclusives * Store * Podcasts + Apple@Work + Happy Hour + 9to5Mac Daily * Vision + Vision Pro + visionOS + Hands-on * iPhone + iPhone + iPhone 14 + iPhone 15 + iPhone 16 + iOS 17 * Mac + Mac + MacBook Pro + MacBook Air + iMac + Mac mini + Mac Studio + Mac Pro + macOS Sonoma * Watch + Apple Watch + Apple Watch Ultra + Apple Health + Apple Watch SE + Apple Watch Series 9 + watchOS 10 * iPad + iPad Pro + iPad Air + iPad mini + iPad + iPadOS + iPadOS 17 * Music and TV + Apple Music + AirPods + HomePod + Apple TV + tvOS 17 * Guides + Reviews + How Tos + AAPL + Apple Store + Apple Arcade + Apple Card + Apple Silicon + Apple One + Apple Fitness+ + CarPlay + Siri + HomeKit * * * * * * * * * * * * * Toggle dark mode * Exclusive * App Store * iOS 17.2 * sideloading iOS 17.2 hints at Apple moving towards letting users sideload apps from outside the App Store Avatar for Filipe Esposito Filipe Esposito | Nov 10 2023 - 10:52 am PT 15 Comments Apple App Store sideloading iOS Apple has been under pressure in the European Union as the Digital Markets Act antitrust legislation requires the company to allow users to sideload apps outside the App Store to increase competition. 9to5Mac has now found evidence in the iOS 17.2 beta code that the company is indeed moving towards enabling sideloading on iOS devices. [INS::INS] What is sideloading For those unfamiliar, the sideloading process consists of installing apps obtained from third-party sources instead of an official source. When it comes to iOS, the official source (and the only one available to iPhone and iPad users) is the App Store. Apple has never allowed sideloading on iOS, as this would allow apps to bypass the App Store guidelines. However, the European Union last year passed the Digital Markets Act, or DMA, a new piece of antitrust legislation aimed at big tech companies so that they don't use their advantages to undermine competition. One of the requirements of the DMA is that users can install any apps they want from third-party sources. Previous reports revealed that Apple had been doing under-the-hood work on iOS 17 to prepare the system for sideloading in Europe. With the iOS 17.2 beta, internal code suggests this is true. iOS 17.2 seems ready to allow alternative app stores iOS 17.2 has a new public framework called "Managed App Distribution." While our first thought was that this API would be related to MDM solutions for installing enterprise apps (which is already possible on iOS), it seems that Apple has been working on something more significant than that. By analyzing the new API, we've learned that it has an extension endpoint declared in the system, which means that other apps can create extensions of this type. Digging even further, we found a new, unused entitlement that will give third-party apps permission to install other apps. In other words, this would allow developers to create their own app stores. The API has basic controls for downloading, installing, and even updating apps from external sources. It can also check whether an app is compatible with a specific device or iOS version, which the App Store already does. Again, this could easily be used to modernize MDM solutions, but here's another thing. We also found references to a region lock in this API, which suggests that Apple could restrict it to specific countries. This wouldn't make sense for MDM solutions, but it does make sense for enabling sideloading in particular countries only when required by authorities - such as in the European Union. Earlier this year, 9to5Mac reported that Apple had developed a new system to restrict specific iOS features based on the user's location . Apple Craig Federighi sideloadingApple's Craig Federighi said, "sideloading is a cybercriminal's best friend." When will this happen? In theory, Apple is required to comply with DMA legislation by March 2024. The company has even admitted in a Form 10-K filing that it expects to make changes that will impact the App Store's business model. At the same time, Apple will also appeal to the European Union about including the App Store in the Digital Markets Act, which is no surprise. Apple will likely try everything to preserve the iOS App Store. But ultimately, iOS 17 will be ready for sideloading. Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. [integration_1] You're reading 9to5Mac -- experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don't know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel Featured from 9to5Mac M3 iMac Hands-on with Apple's new 24-inch M3 iMac: Same beloved design, better performance Avatar for Rikka Altland Rikka Altland Nov 10 2023 9to5mac happy hour Hands on with the new MacBook Pro, iOS 17.2 features, future of the iMac Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller Nov 9 2023 [apple-watch-double-tap] The new Apple Watch Double Tap gesture is useful, sometimes Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo Nov 10 2023 [apple-vision-pro] Apple has allowed some press to view their own spatial videos in Vision Pro, Final Cut gaining editing ability next year Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall Nov 10 2023 [INS::INS] Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: Comments Expand Close comments Expand Close comments Guides App Store App Store iOS 17.2 iOS 17.2 sideloading Author Avatar for Filipe Esposito Filipe Esposito https://www.threads.net/ filipe.esposito Filipe Esposito is a Brazilian tech Journalist who started covering Apple news on iHelp BR with some exclusive scoops -- including the reveal of the new Apple Watch Series 5 models in titanium and ceramic. He joined 9to5Mac to share even more tech news around the world.