Sideloading on iOS 17 Will Be Chargeable and Apple Will Review Apps: Report
Jan. 24, 2024In a paywalled report, Wall Street Journal, citing internal sources, has mentioned that Apple will allow users to download apps from third-party app stores for the first time to comply with the DMA. As per the report, Apple will charge users to sideload apps from stores other than the App Store and will also conduct app reviews for the sideloaded apps.Image Courtesy: Apple
Previously, it was reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman thatApple will split the App Store into two partsto allow sideloading in iOS 17 with one version allowing users to sideload apps from third-party app stores and the other being the App Store as it is.
Today’s report does not mention whether Apple will rake in commissions from app developers for the apps sideloaded from third-party app stores. Currently, Apple charges a 27% commission from app developers for all in-app purchases.
Moreover, the details of the review system which will be put into place to review apps sideloaded from third-party app stores are also not clear at the moment. If the speculation of Apple reviewing apps downloaded from external sources turns out to be true, it could position the company well enough to ask for commissions from developers.
It is noteworthy that Apple will allow sideloading in iOS only in Europe to comply with the DMA. Users from other regions will not be offered the functionality.
Will you be willing to pay for sideloading in iOS 17? Express your opinion.
With 6 years of experience as a writer and editor in the tech media industry, Anmol is an enigmatic savant in all kinds of tech. He loves to scour internet for new information. When not conjuring words, Anmol can be found watching Manchester United matches or glued to his MacBook watching re-runs of his favorite TV shows for upteenth time.
