New US law brings us closer to downloading unpublished apps on iOS

With the passage of the Open App Markets Act, unpublished app downloads could come to iOS as well. These bills still need to be passed.

Apple has always resisted the simple idea of ​​allowing third-party app stores on the iPhone. This is different from the Mac platform, where while the Mac App Store does exist, users have the freedom and ability to download and install software from other sources. The Cupertino-based company has been openly critical of what it calls sideloading – installing an app without visiting the store – but it looks like the Apple brand will soon have no choice but to allow it.

With the passage of the Open Markets for Apps Act, unpublished app downloads could come to iOS

It’s all thanks to—or ultimately thanks to—the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, which passed the Open App Markets Act, which explicitly allows app stores and third-party payments on devices like the iPhone. That being said, before you start jumping from the ceiling, be aware that there is still a long way to go before this becomes full law and effectively forces Apple to allow it.

We still need to pass these bills

The Open Application Markets Act contains a number of legislative proposals. Thus, the one that interests us today will be taken to the Senate for discussion, vote, and possibly amendment. This means that it may take some time before the law takes effect if it should. It really won’t be the first antitrust bill to be proposed and then completely ignored. But if this proposal is voted on, it could fundamentally change the experience offered on the iPhone.

That being said, you can perfectly imagine that this project is not to the taste of the Cupertino company. In a letter to the committee a few days ago, Apple’s director of government affairs, Tim Powderly, said: “An unpublished download would allow attackers to bypass Apple’s privacy and security protections by distributing apps that fail required privacy and security checks. This will lead to the spread of malware, fraud and other uncontrolled data collection.”