iOS 17 app sideloading might only be available in Europe (techradar.com)

Article summary

Apple may allow app sideloading on iOS 17, but only in Europe, due to regulatory pressure from the EU. This feature would enable users to install apps from outside the official App Store. The decision is seen as a response to the EU's Digital Markets Act, which aims to limit the control of digital gatekeepers. Apple may introduce the feature quietly and without fanfare, and developers may have to pay extra to make their apps available outside of the App Store.

Main themes

• iOS 17
• app sideloading
• EU regulations
• digital gatekeepers
• security concerns
• user freedom

What commenters say

• Allowing app sideloading compromises the security of iOS devices.
• The EU's regulatory pressure is the primary reason for Apple's potential decision to allow app sideloading.
• Apple's App Store review process does not provide significant security benefits.
• Sideloading can be made secure through other means, such as antivirus software and malware scanning.
• The decision to allow app sideloading only in Europe is a result of regional regulatory differences.
• Apple's motivations for not allowing app sideloading are driven by greed rather than security concerns.
• The benefits of app sideloading, such as increased user freedom, outweigh the potential security risks.