Apple is reportedly preparing to allow third-party app stores and sideloading on iOS

Apple is getting ready to allow third-party app stores on its iOS devices, according to a new report.

Bloomberg says the company will have to make the change to conform to stricter EU regulations introduced in its new Digital Markets Act.

The law, which requires tech companies to comply by 2024, says users must be allowed to install third-party apps and change default settings easily, and that outside developers must get equal access to core features within apps and services.

The law means iPhone and iPad users may be able to download new app resources other than the App Store, or ‘sideload’ iOS apps that aren’t on the store without the need to jailbreak their device.

Apple has been lobbying against the new law for some time now, arguing that allowing third-party app stores and the sideloading of apps could introduce security issues and place unsafe apps on users’ phones.

App developers, however, will doubtless be happy with the move because it may enable them to bypass Apple’s restrictions (which, for example, don’t allow apps with pornographic content).

It also means they could theoretically release apps on a different store to the App Store, thereby waiving the 30% commission Apple gets for all App Store purchases.

This was the main factor surrounding the Apple-Epic Games lawsuit, which started after Epic moved to circumvent Apple’s platform fees with its own direct payment option, leading to Fortnite’s removal from the App Store.

Microsoft has also outlined plans to create a “next generation game store” on mobile decides, aided by its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Further reading

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Xbox wants to build a mobile game store to compete with Google and Apple

Microsoft’s planned Activision Blizzard acquisition is partly driven by its mobile ambitions

“The transaction will improve Microsoft’s ability to create a next generation game store which operates across a range of devices, including mobile as a result of the addition of Activision Blizzard’s content,” it said.

In theory, the EU regulations would allow Microsoft to make its own Xbox Store directly on iOS devices without having to make it available through Apple’s own App Store.

Apple recently had to comply with another EU regulation, saying it “had no choice” but to add USB-C connectors to its iPhones going forwards, ditching its proprietary Lightning connector.