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iOS 17 will reportedly set the stage for sideloading apps on iPhone

techcrunch.com

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Re: iOS 17 will reportedly set the stage for sideloading apps on iPhone

#31

Post by jamil7 »

lewisflude wrote: post #24

If Apple do implement this, I hope they can ensure 3rd party apps live in a sandbox or otherwise need to be given explicit permissions. One big argument I've seen against side-loading on iOS is people like the confidence of knowing that an app has to play by iOS's rules, so if we can bring this to the world of side-loading then this could be a win-win for "both camps".

It will still run in a sandbox, that's how iOS works. It just will bypass app store review, meaning certain rules won't be enforced.

Re: iOS 17 will reportedly set the stage for sideloading apps on iPhone

#32

Post by smoldesu »

supriyo-biswas wrote: post #13
ChuckNorris89 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How will that geofencing be enforced? Is this EU feature dependent to the place you purchased your device or to the location registered on your Apple account? If you change your location in or out of the EU does it then apply or revert the feature?

This isn't as difficult as you make it look. Many Android devices have the concept of carrier-specific configuration files (CSCs) which are baked into the ROM, and phones sold in the region come baked with the variant with only the specific CSCs in question. A similar implementation could be followed by Apple, where they have a separate image for the EU.

I look forward to the US passing similar laws and getting the upgraded image!

Re: iOS 17 will reportedly set the stage for sideloading apps on iPhone

#33

Post by blokey »

voisin wrote: post #23
EMIRELADERO wrote: post #9

The big question is: will there be some kind of "program" the user and/or developer needs to get into to be able to sideload/distribute independent apps? The ideal status quo would be one where developers can make native apps, and users download and run them, without entering into a contractual relationship with Apple period . (Beyond the iOS EULA, which stands on legally shaky ground)

> The ideal status quo I disagree. Allow side loading of apps that still meet a threshold for safety, privacy, etc (determined through a program like you refer to), but eliminate the App Store cut of sales.

Who does the checking and verification that the apps are compliant with the “threshold for safety, privacy, etc”?

Apple do this now, using the Apps that pay the 30% on digital purchases to fund everyone. If they no longer make a fee from those to cover every app (including all the free ones), who pays to validate the apps?

Re: iOS 17 will reportedly set the stage for sideloading apps on iPhone

#34

Post by Spivak »

overthrow wrote: post #17
TexanFeller wrote: post #10

I'm dreading this. I want privacy hostile companies like Facebook to have to comply with the app store rules and respect system settings relating to privacy. As a user, I'm thrilled when Apple wields its big stick to stop big tech companies from overreaching. Before there was a bit of a compromise, I could use evil apps with some peace of mind that they wouldn't do something egregious. Now I suspect evil apps just wo…

You're dreading giving other people the freedom to make one choice, and yourself the freedom to make a different choice (yours being the default option from the factory btw), and everyone gets the privacy/control tradeoff they want?

Software isn't fungible and right now today you have the ability to install facebook with app store restrictions on iOS and without on Android. If FB pulls from the app store that choice is taken away.

Re: iOS 17 will reportedly set the stage for sideloading apps on iPhone

#35

Post by Karunamon »

TexanFeller wrote: post #10

I'm dreading this. I want privacy hostile companies like Facebook to have to comply with the app store rules and respect system settings relating to privacy. As a user, I'm thrilled when Apple wields its big stick to stop big tech companies from overreaching. Before there was a bit of a compromise, I could use evil apps with some peace of mind that they wouldn't do something egregious. Now I suspect evil apps just wo…

App Store review was not stopping evil/scam apps, though. I would expect the system privacy APIs to clamp down on the worst of it (even Facebook can't violate your privacy if it can't identify your device, or access its contents or location).

Normal users don't sideload on Android. Even the (objectively easy) steps for enabling it there are too much for the average user. Why do you think this would be any different?

Re: iOS 17 will reportedly set the stage for sideloading apps on iPhone

#36

Post by criddell »

PartiallyTyped wrote: post #25

This has been bugging me for a few minutes, and I'd be keen on hearing thoughts from other hackers. Given sideloading will be available, does this not create a broader attack vector that government agencies may use to access user data?

Of course it does.

In addition to governments, how long do you think it will take for companies and schools to roll out apps to monitor what people are doing with their phones? Companies will say you have a choice (you can always quit!) and schools will just be protecting children - who could oppose that?

And you know when it comes to enterprise and software sold to school districts, it's usually top quality stuff.

Re: iOS 17 will reportedly set the stage for sideloading apps on iPhone

#37

Post by cageface »

bena wrote: post #30
overthrow wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're dreading giving other people the freedom to make one choice, and yourself the freedom to make a different choice (yours being the default option from the factory btw), and everyone gets the privacy/control tradeoff they want?

I think you're missing something. Meta makes the Facebook app. Currently, the only way to get the Facebook app on iOS is through Apple's App Store. Which means Meta has to follow all of Apple's guidelines. Once sideloading is allowed, Meta can make a version of their app that does not follow Apple's guidelines. Now, they can maintain two apps, but last time I checked, the cost of maintaining one app was lower than th…

This hasn’t happened on Android where side loading and alternative app stores have been available for years. Why would iOS be different?

Re: iOS 17 will reportedly set the stage for sideloading apps on iPhone

#38

Post by nerdjon »

smoldesu wrote: post #29
nerdjon wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree with you and I hate that you are being downvoted. People love to say this is about choice for the consumer but it really is not going to be. My fear is that the choice will be taken away from my by companies that are no longer able to engage in shady behavior on iOS. Things like trying to collect all my data, forcing me into their billing system, shady subscriptions (like how I can cancel or reminders of it b…

> but overtime I no longer have the choice to avoid these alternate stores or to side load Maybe Apple should update the terms of the App Store to be more competitive/attractive then.

Sure they could lower the percent from 30% but that doesn't address the privacy and shady practices that the free apps engage in.

Apple should in no way loosen those terms.

Re: iOS 17 will reportedly set the stage for sideloading apps on iPhone

#39

Post by twelve40 »

bena wrote: post #30
overthrow wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're dreading giving other people the freedom to make one choice, and yourself the freedom to make a different choice (yours being the default option from the factory btw), and everyone gets the privacy/control tradeoff they want?

I think you're missing something. Meta makes the Facebook app. Currently, the only way to get the Facebook app on iOS is through Apple's App Store. Which means Meta has to follow all of Apple's guidelines. Once sideloading is allowed, Meta can make a version of their app that does not follow Apple's guidelines. Now, they can maintain two apps, but last time I checked, the cost of maintaining one app was lower than th…

> There will only be the sideloaded option

how did you come to that conclusion? certainly not true in the android world. I don't have the stats on prevalence of sideloadong vs. play, but all official apps are alive and well in play after decades of being able to sideload

Re: iOS 17 will reportedly set the stage for sideloading apps on iPhone

#40

Post by smoldesu »

bena wrote: post #30
overthrow wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're dreading giving other people the freedom to make one choice, and yourself the freedom to make a different choice (yours being the default option from the factory btw), and everyone gets the privacy/control tradeoff they want?

I think you're missing something. Meta makes the Facebook app. Currently, the only way to get the Facebook app on iOS is through Apple's App Store. Which means Meta has to follow all of Apple's guidelines. Once sideloading is allowed, Meta can make a version of their app that does not follow Apple's guidelines. Now, they can maintain two apps, but last time I checked, the cost of maintaining one app was lower than th…

Meta already does all sorts of stuff that violates Apple's TOS, they just do it server-side.

> I don't have the freedom to choose the version of the app I want.

Sure you do. You can either use it or you don't. Regulating data privacy isn't Apple's job, if you want that fixed then you should take it up with the government or someone who can actually hold them accountable.

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