In what seemed to be unthinkable a few years ago, Apple is readying an App Store that is much more open for iOS devices. This is to comply with an EU rule. iPhone users will be able to sideload apps.
Apple is often criticized for adopting a walled garden approach that essentially controls what software users can use on macOS and iOS, thus restricting access to whatever apps users like. But thanks to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act that came into effect on November 1, the Cupertino tech firm has to loosen its grip on the App Store.
According to a report from Bloomberg (paywall), Apple has decided to comply with the EU legislation by allowing third-party app stores and sideloading apps on iOS. However, app developers may not be able to bypass Apple’s controversial 30 percent fees, as Apple still plans to charge a fee even with sideloading in iOS.
