IT House on November 14 news, according to foreign media wccftech reported that with the increasing pressure of European regulations, Apple is expected to allow some developers to side load applications on the iPhone in the first half of next year, and previously Bloomberg Mark Gurman also claimed that Apple is expected to allow side-loading of apps in early 2024.

Apple will introduce a "highly controlled side-loading system" for iOS that will only allow developers to offer apps "in a limited way" outside the App Store. Previously mined code shows that Apple introduced a shared framework called "Managed App Distribution" after iOS 17.2, where the associated API has the base controls for downloading, installing, and even updating apps from external sources.

However, foreign media mentioned that Apple may also directly bring side-loading functions in the official version of iOS 17.2 released next month, which will depend on EU requirements.

The European Union's Digital Market Act (DMA), which came into force on November 1, 2022, requires "gatekeeper" companies to open their services and platforms to other companies and developers. DMA will have a major impact on Apple's platform, potentially leading to major changes to Apple's App Store, messaging, FaceTime, Siri, and more.

Apple has previously claimed that side-loading would "undermine the privacy and security protections that iPhone users rely on," leaving people vulnerable to malware, scams, data tracking and other issues. But regardless of Apple's stance, the company must comply with DMA or face fines of up to 20 percent of its global revenue if it breaks EU law.

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