Apple to open up iOS to app side-loading in 2024

Due to new regulations in the EU, Apple will soon be allowing app side-loading on iOS devices. This means iPhone users will be able to freely install apps on their devices without going through the App Store directly. Now, we have a good idea of when this change will come into place. 

The European Union's Digital Markets Act went into effect back in late 2022, requiring platform holders to open up their platforms. While side-loading is already possible on Android devices, it has not been available on iOS, outside of allowing developers to install beta apps for testing. However, this will change in 2024.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman in the latest issue of the Power On newsletter, Apple will introduce a “highly controlled system” that will allow users to install apps hosted outside of the App Store on iOS. Previous rumours claimed this change could arrive with iOS 17.2 but Gurman's new report contradicts this, claiming that the update will arrive in the first half of 2024.

While Apple complied with EU rules to bring USB-C to the iPhone worldwide, it is possible that side-loading apps will only be made available within the EU but we have yet to get full confirmation on Apple's plans. If current information is accurate, all will be made clear in the coming months, possibly ahead of Apple's annual WWDC event in June.

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KitGuru Says: Many users will argue that one of the strengths of iOS is its highly optimised environment and the curated nature of the App Store. However, neither of these things should be hampered by the introduction of side-loading. Now we'll just have to wait and see how Apple's ‘controlled' solution will work and if it will be available worldwide, or just within EU countries. 

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