iOS 17 is said to support off-the-shelf app downloads and third-party app stores.

Ahead of new EU regulations next year, Apple’s iOS 17 software will reportedly pave the way for app downloads and alternative app stores on the iPhone.

• iOS 17 is expected to lay the groundwork for app downloads and third-party app stores to comply with new regulations in the European Union.
• A non-published download will allow customers to easily install applications from alternative app stores, websites and other sources, just like on a Mac.
• In addition, customers will be able to install third-party software distribution apps on their iPhones other than the company’s official app store.
• Apple must meet the requirements of the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) by March 2024.

iOS 17 is said to support off-the-shelf app downloads and third-party app stores.

Mark Gurman writes in the latest issue of his Power On newsletter on Bloomberg, that iOS 17 will be amended by March 2024 in accordance with the EU mandate. next year,” he wrote.

He didn’t elaborate on what those changes might be or how the client’s app experience might change. Presumably, the iPhone’s Settings app will have a section to select a third-party app store to install apps from.

The company is not making these changes because it believes choice is good for the consumer. Instead, the rapid DMA in the EU is forcing tech companies like Apple and Google to give people the option to choose alternative app sources.

For example, a user may want to download games from the Epic mobile game store if Epic chooses to port them to the iPhone. Microsoft is said to be already working on a dedicated iPhone app store for Xbox cloud gaming.

For developers, the main benefit of third-party app stores is the bypass of Apple’s payment systems and the verification process. For users, this is the ability to install apps from sources other than the App Store, a practice known as unpublished downloading.

What about iPhone security?

Apple claims that these changes will reduce the security of its users and worsen the experience, since people will have to provide their payment details to a third party. In addition, Apple will not review submissions or issue refunds for apps downloaded from third-party app stores. Apple CEO Tim Cook previously argued that downloading unpublished content would “destroy iPhone security.”

The Cupertino giant is likely to share sideloading and third-party app store developments with its developers during the upcoming WWDC, which will take place virtually June 5-9. At the conference, the company will also unveil upcoming software updates for iPadOS 17, tvOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS 15 in addition to the rumored xrOS software it’s said to power its first AR/VR headset.