Not too long ago, a new EU law, the Digital Markets Act, made headlines in the tech world. This is because Apple is required by law to allow app downloads and third-party app stores in the near future. Apple has always been known for its security features and, unlike its counterpart from Google, has never allowed app downloads.
In an official email, Johannes Barke stated that the EU believes in the complete freedom of users and consumers to download any application on their phones, regardless of the provider. In addition to the default app store, the EU recognizes the need for users to have a choice of third party app stores. This position in DMA caused an uproar, as the approach of experts to this issue was polarized.
Since this is a fairly large mandate, the debate is justified. However, whether this will be good for users and the App Store remains to be seen. Because unpublished downloads often represent more intermediate or advanced levels of phone usage, I think people should have a basic understanding of the technical quirks and problems it can cause. So, that’s what we’re going to do today!
What is side loading?
Apple, like every other major smartphone manufacturer, has default app stores for distributing software. These channels are usually carefully monitored to check for suspicious applications and keep the ecosystem safe. It is an active method of ensuring the integrity of software distribution and compliance with company guidelines.
However, other providers such as Google allow users to download apps other than the Google Play Store, which is the ecosystem’s default app store. This is partly due to the fact that Android is open source, but comes with its own benefits and risks.
When you download an app, you are installing software on your device that has not been authorized by your smartphone manufacturer. You can do this either through the smartphone manufacturer’s already given permission, or by “hacking”your device.
Why download the app?
Although unpublished downloading of an application seems rather dubious, it is a fairly common practice all over the world. You might be wondering why download an app when there are already thousands of apps in the App Store. Well, the simple answer to this question would be that the consumer wants to use certain software that is not provided by their device manufacturer’s default app store.
However, there can be many reasons why the default app store might not host the app in question. Some of these include the fact that the app may not comply with the terms and conditions of the app store. Another reason could be that the app store requires the developer to pay a fee to list their app on the store.
In any case, the application will not be available to the user. Sometimes users may even need to use a VPN after downloading the app because the latter is not available in their region. However, the main reason device manufacturers are campaigning against downloading unpublished apps is because of piracy, which is rampant in today’s world.
Has Apple ever allowed unpublished apps to be downloaded?
One argument for downloading non-public apps is that Apple does not penalize users for downloading non-public apps on their Mac devices. So what’s the problem if users download apps on their iPhones? Apple has responded strongly to this question by stating that iPhones are more personal to users than their MacBooks and often contain more personal information.
Thus, downloading applications on the iPhone would completely compromise the security and integrity of the iPhone, depriving consumers of one of the main reasons for purchasing the product. At least, this is Apple’s argumentation and position on this issue.
Brief explanation of the EU mandate
So now you have a basic understanding of what unpublished app download means. However, what about the EU DMA provision itself? To better understand the mandate, we will have to break down a few points.
The provision for downloading unpublished applications was an important part of the EU’s original Digital Markets Act (DMA) proposal. The representative of the EU stated that this provision is primarily about the freedom of choice that the user has when using their device. The EU believes that due to the many restrictions in the Apple App Store, the ability of users with their smartphones is limited and difficult.
In more detail, EU spokesman Johannes Barke stated:
“This freedom includes the ability to choose alternative app sources on your smartphone. With DMA, the smartphone owner will still be able to enjoy the safe and secure services of the standard app store on their smartphones.” In addition, this provision will allow the user to select other third-party stores if he wants to download the application.
In addition, Apple will also have to stop forcing consumers to use Apple’s dedicated payment system. Instead, they will be able to use the app developer’s or publisher’s direct payment systems. It is clear that this could reduce the commission that Apple receives from developers, although we are not entirely sure about this yet.
When the law goes into effect, Apple will have to give its competitors more freedom in their default app store. Instead of just a few apps, you might even notice a lot of competing apps sweeping the platform if the EU law comes into effect. Is Apple worried about safety, competition, or profit? Be that as it may, Apple is likely to face a daunting task.
Are there any advantages to sideloading?
Downloading apps from third-party stores has long been used on Google’s Android platform. While this puts a certain percentage of users at risk of losing their information and encrypted privacy, other users don’t seem to mind the process.
After all, with sideloading apps, you’ll be able to access content across regions and countries. What’s more, it will give you more freedom to choose from thousands of additional apps that you may have known about from the start!
Regardless, downloading apps is no joke. Users must be tech-savvy and savvy to access all the features of the new app and keep their personal data as secure as possible. Freedom of choice is a basic human right, but that choice also has consequences. Consumers should be aware of these technicalities before any such provision becomes law.
What about the disadvantages of side loading?
This is where things get a little more interesting. While most proponents of sideloading apps mostly talk about the freedom to choose how they use their phone, there are very specific security risks in such a scenario. Let’s talk about some of them, shall we?
Malware
This is often the biggest risk when downloading unpublished applications. When developers list their app on the default app stores, you can be sure that some quality control has been done with the app. The app store often checks these apps for malicious algorithms that can harm the user and their privacy. If they pass the test(s), they may be listed in the store.
With app downloads, especially from third party app stores, you can never be sure if any quality control check has been done. After all, these are lesser-known app stores that need to be accessed via a VPN, and the same could be the case with an app.
Applications can even be modified to seem to provide benefits to the user. However, as a consumer, you will never be sure how the application’s algorithm has changed. This poses a serious security risk to the user. The only way to make sure an app is safe is even if it’s not available in the default app store.
Some apps, even if not listed in the app store, can be downloaded directly from the original publisher or developer. For example, it has been a long time since the popular video game Fortnite was removed from the App Store because Epic Games was unwilling to pay Apple a large commission. However, you can download the app through the official Epic Games website, which is a reliable source.
Be that as it may, malware poses a serious threat to the integrity of your phone when you download applications.
Update
Another small issue with downloading unpublished apps is that they don’t update automatically. If auto-update is enabled for your device’s app store, all apps you download from the app store will be updated automatically.
However, when you install these applications from a third party source, these automatic updates do not work. The process is lengthy, requiring users to uninstall the current version of the application and manually download and install a new version from a third-party source.
And again with these manual updates, we are back to the same malware situation. You can never be sure that a new version of an application is safe, even if it’s supposed to be an update/improvement to a previous version. What’s more, if you use a lot of downloaded apps, manually updating can be a tedious task.
How can you download apps on iOS?
Downloading apps on iOS isn’t as difficult as it used to be. In recent years, Apple has released numerous updates that bring features that were once only available through a jailbroken iPhone. However, there are two possible methods for downloading unpublished iOS apps.
Third party app store
Source: 9to5Mac
This method is the simplest of the two. All you have to do is download and install the third party app store of your choice on your iOS device. Once the store is up and running, you can select an app and install it. To make sure the app is allowed on your device, you need to go to Settings → General → Device Management and then select the option to trust the developer certificate.
Cydia Impactor/Xcode
Source: Apple
The second method is the more cumbersome of the two, as it requires some advanced technical knowledge from you. To do this, you will need Xcode, Cydia Impactor, and an IPA file. Here’s what they usually do:
- You will need to create an Apple developer account. The trial period lasts from five to seven days, after which you will have to pay $99 per year.
- You also need to be familiar with how to work with Xcode and then push the provisioning profile to your iOS device.
- Cydia Impactor then changes the IPA file to a developer profile.
- Finally, the device settings must be changed to trust the new profile.
If you’re planning on downloading apps on your phone, none of these methods will be the safest. Third party app stores are not always secure, and Apple may even revoke a developer’s certificate. The second method is quite long and has a lot of technical details, so it’s easy to get it wrong. In any case, given the risks, is it worth downloading apps on the iPhone?
Any solution to direct memory access position?
Since it looks like the European Union won’t withdraw any of the DMA provisions, there’s a good chance Apple will have to make changes to its ecosystem. Personally, I think that downloading apps on the iPhone should be available to every iOS user. However, it should be implemented differently.
It’s common practice to grant multiple permissions to a device when setting it up for the first time or downloading software updates. I believe that the first install of a new iOS device or a new update (if DMA becomes law) should give users a choice. The user should be allowed to choose whether they want to download apps on their phones or not.
If they choose to download non-public apps, Apple can provide a message that they will provide the best possible service, but cannot accept any responsibility if the downloaded non-public apps cause any issues with the phone. Consumers should be aware of the security risks associated with downloading non-published applications.
However, if they choose not to download apps or allow third-party interference with their iPhones, iOS will work as it always has. However, the CHOOSE to download unpublished apps should be available to all consumers. It should work as an option, not as a pre-existing feature on the iPhone.
Thus, the DMA position can be implemented without interfering with the operation of the iOS device. Of course, this is a rather simplified view of the situation. There are many nuances that need to be ironed out even in this situation, such as the possible voiding of the warranty if someone decides to download the apps.
My personal view
While Apple’s competitor has quite a few powerful security features, there’s no doubt that the open source nature of the platform also includes quite a few security threats. On the other hand, Apple’s iOS devices are known for their encryption and security features. This is one of the main reasons why people often switch to iPhone after using other smartphones.
I believe it is these security features that make iOS an exemplary operating system. On top of all the optimizations and multimedia features, users want more privacy and security in a world that is rapidly losing the war against information mining and selling. Allowing unpublished apps to be downloaded would jeopardize this and greatly degrade the iOS user experience.
Let’s hope that both the EU and Apple can find a suitable solution to the problem. Of course, downloading unpublished applications can provide more choices and options. However, do most iPhone users really need that extra “freedom”at the risk of losing personal information? After all, sideloading apps is more common among power users who want to experiment with their phones.
This niche may be too small to justify such a massive change in the Apple ecosystem. Only time will tell how Apple and its devices react to this major change in the tech world.