Apple to allow "sideloading" in iOS 17?
Is Apple being forced into it by new EU legislation? Will they allow sideloading outside of the EU?
I’ve long been a critic of Apple’s efforts to lock down iOS — their almost total prohibition of installing software outside of their locked-down App Store borders on the draconian.
And the fact that Apple has rebranded the simple act of “installing software on your computer” as “sideloading” in some sort of strange attempt to demonize a thing that every computer user has been able to do since computers had software… it’s just ridiculous.
See also:
Luckily, it appears that we may have a silver lining on the horizon.
According to multiple sources, Apple may be changing iOS to allow “sideloading”… at least in some markets.
Bloomberg is saying the following change will be announced at Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference (which happens on June 5th):
“iOS 17 will cause some noise beyond WWDC itself. Apple is working to overhaul the software to open up the iPhone to sideloading — the downloading of apps outside of its official store — to comply with new European regulations by next year.”
This prediction is being echoed by an earlier report TechCrunch and appears to be the result of upcoming legislation in the European Union — which requires that end users be allowed to install software on their own devices and computers.
Note: The Free Software Foundation Europe issued an open letter to EU Legislators in support of that law. The Lunduke Journal fully supports that effort and was a signatory on that letter.
As of this moment… this is still somewhat up in the air. Apple has made no firm announcement around this. And some Tech Journalists have written dire predictions for if it were to come to pass.
Likewise, even if Apple were to include the ability to “sideload” in iOS 17… there’s no guarantee that they will allow that functionality in countries outside of the EU.
Just the same, I am cautiously optimistic.
Apple used to be a company that focused on end-user freedom and flexibility. On modularity of both software and hardware. Over the last several years they have really gone in the opposite direction (locked down hardware, artificially restricting users from installing software, etc.). Regardless of the motivation… it would be nice to see Apple move back towards increased end-user freedom.
Even if only a little.
So many reasons to subscribe to The Lunduke Journal of Technology. Nerdy articles & podcasts every week, and two full eBooks filled with Tech Satire. Plus…
A dozen eBooks — Monthly PDF Magazine — Premium Videos
Other handy links: