Apple might allow users to install apps not available on App Store on iOS 17

Apple iPhone users might soon be able to install that are available on the App Store.

Apple iOS 17 | Apple app sideloading | Apple EU DMA iOS 17

Apple has blocked the ability to sideload apps citing security concerns. (Express Photo)

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Since the inception of the iPhone, Apple has blocked users from installing apps from third-party sources citing security concerns. However, that might soon change, with a report by the known Apple analyst Mark Gurman suggesting that Apple might support app sideloading on iOS 17.

The change will allow users to install apps from sources other than the Apple App Store, which requires developers to pay up to 30 per cent fees to Apple. The move comes as part of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which was enforced in November last year and requires companies like Apple to open their services and platforms to third-party companies and developers.

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European Union’s Digital Markets Act might have a huge impact on Apple devices and could result in the company making major changes to its Messages, FaceTime, App Store, Siri and other apps. The report also suggests that Apple will be making the changes to comply with the law sometime next year since it faces the risk of fines which might cost Apple up to 20 per cent of its global revenue.

To give you a quick recap, Apple already supports app sideloading on Macs and has a verification system that lets them safely install apps from third-party sources. It will be interesting to see if the European Union’s decision to force Apple to allow apps from other than App Store will encourage other countries like the United States to do the same.