Android users have been sideloading apps for a long time. What is sideloading? Essentially, it’s the ability to install third-party applications outside the built-in app store (such as the Google Play Store). Unfortunately, this feature has caused problems because some of these third-party app stores can contain apps with malicious code. This problem became so bad that Google decided to disable the feature for a while. Users can now enable the feature in Settings > Applications > Special app access > Install unknown apps.
However, I would warn against enabling this unless you are sure that the app you want to install is 100% safe. Otherwise, you risk installing an app with malicious code that could turn out to be ransomware.
Trust me when I say that is not something you want to experience.
So when it was announced that Apple – in the face of new European Union regulations (specifically the Digital Markets Act, which comes into force in 2024) – was considering allowing sideloading of applications in iOS, I was shocked. The company’s policy on sideloading has been clear (and strict) since the early days of the App Store. However, on 10 November, 9to5mac reported that Apple was hinting that it would be moving forward with this feature in the upcoming iOS 17.2.
Since 9to5mac’s report, it has come to light that Apple has published a new document on Managed App Distribution, which makes it clear what Apple has in mind.
Instead of allowing users to sideload apps, the company’s plan is to limit the feature to Mobile Device Management (MDM). In other words, it won’t be a feature that users can turn on or off. Rather, Managed App Distribution will allow corporate mobile device managers to push apps to phones.
According to the Managed App Distribution document, “The Managed App Distribution framework works with declarative management to provide a list of managed apps assigned to a device. Your application can sort or filter the list of managed apps and request a view from the Managed App Distribution framework to display it. See Integrating Declarative Management for more information.
I think this is the smart way for Apple to go. Sideloading apps on Android has caused far too many problems with users installing apps that have not undergone the proper security checks that come with the Google Play Store. That’s not to say that malicious software doesn’t find its way into Google’s app ecosystem. It does – but it’s far less likely. The same is true of the Apple App Store. The chances of malicious code finding its way onto users’ phones are dramatically reduced by Apple’s vetting process.
The Managed App Distribution feature will allow managers to force the installation of certain apps on any user’s phone connected to the company’s MDM platform. And if 9to5Mac is correct, this new API will give third-party apps permission to install other apps.
Although the original report suggested that Apple’s move could lead to the creation of third-party app stores, it was later discovered that this move was an MDM solution. So I wouldn’t think third-party app stores are in the pipeline so much as allowing companies to install their own apps (that wouldn’t otherwise be in Apple’s App Store) from their MDM solution.
There is a catch to this story, however, as iPhones already allow this process through MDM solutions. And since a regional lock was discovered in the new documentation, it could be that Apple is planning to allow applications to be sideloaded in certain regions. Although my assumptions could be wrong – given Apple’s stance on sideloading – I would be shocked if the company allowed the creation of third-party app stores.
This new feature could come as early as March 2024, and with Apple complying with the Digital Markets Act by the time iOS 17.2 arrives, sideloading apps could very well open new doors for app distribution. Unfortunately, it’s hard to say exactly what this new API will look like: Will it be location-restricted, enterprise only, or open to all? Until iOS 17.2 arrives, we are left to speculate and wonder if Apple is finally loosening the reins on the distribution and installation of iOS applications.
