03/15/2024

Apple to Allow Sideloading on the iPhone

Some say this doesn't address the real problem

On Tuesday, Apple rolled out an update to its plans to comply with the Digital Markets Act in the European Union. There are several notable changes, the most significant being that the company will now allow approved developers to offer their apps directly from their website -- known as sideloading -- without going through Apple's, or anyone's, app store.

• Be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program as an organization incorporated, domiciled, and/or registered in the EU (or have a subsidiary legal entity incorporated, domiciled, and/or registered in the EU that's listed in App Store Connect). The location associated with your legal entity is listed in your Apple Developer account.
• Be a member of good standing in the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more, and have an app that had more than 1 million first annual installs on iOS in the EU in the prior calendar year.

This means that in order to take advantage of the ability to distribute your apps via your own website, you have to have had more than 1 million app installs in the previous year. That means you have to have acquired more than 1 million new customers for your app. So, you'll have to have built an audience for your app using the App Store before you can start offering your app to customers outside the App Store. 

Please select this link to read the complete article from Inc.