iOS 17 believed to introduce app sideloading to comply with European regulations

At the end of 2022, Europe accelerated its plans to regulate the hegemony of the App Store, with new standards that could force Apple to allow the download of applications for the iPhone and iPad outside its store. The move is seen as a way to improve competition and fairness in the European digital market.

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) came into effect on November 1, 2022, in the EU. This law aims to allow sideloading of applications on iPhones and iPads, in order to improve competition and fairness in the European digital market. The new rules would allow users to download applications without going through the App Store and not pay the 15-30% commission on in-app purchases.

Many seem to argue that Cupertino would not introduce many features in iOS 17 at the WWDC. The new system should put in place the necessary elements to allow third-party downloading of apps. This is seen as a significant shift from Apple's previous stance, which has been to tightly control the App Store and limit the availability of third-party applications.

The move has been welcomed by many in the European tech community, who have long argued that Apple's dominance of the App Store has stifled innovation and competition. It is believed that the new rules will encourage the development of new applications and services, which will benefit both consumers and businesses.

However, some have expressed concerns that the new rules could lead to a proliferation of low-quality applications and a decline in the overall quality of the App Store. There are also fears that the new rules could lead to an increase in security risks, as users are encouraged to download applications from unverified sources.