A look at the iOS 17.2 beta code Apple might soon allow iPhone sideloading of Apps
This week, Apple made available to the public its most recent iOS 17.2 beta update. It is said that hidden within the code is proof that the greatest iPhones may soon support sideloading—also known as downloading apps from third-party app stores.
The astute team at 9to5 Mac, who noticed a brand-new public framework in the iOS 17.2 beta code called “Managed App Distribution,” claims this. The outlet initially suggested that this API might be connected to updating MDM programmes for installing business apps, but a few flaws in that hypothesis soon became apparent. First of all, iPhones are already equipped with this feature. Additionally, the API makes reference to a region lock, which is an element that isn’t particularly useful for MDM systems.
After a little more investigation, the outlet discovered that this API includes basic controls for installing, updating, and downloading apps from outside sources. It also has an extension endpoint declared in the system that allows other apps to make extensions of this kind. Additionally, there’s a recently discovered, unutilized entitlement that can grant third-party apps the rights they need to install additional apps on iPhones.
“In other words, this would allow developers to create their own app stores,” 9to5Mac states.
A Bloomberg article from April described Apple’s intentions to set up iOS 17 to allow sideloading of apps, which will eventually grant iPhone users access to a feature that has long been present on the best Android phones. Apple has always maintained its iPhone ecosystem as a walled garden, allowing users to download apps only through the official App Store. When sideloading was enabled, iOS developers were able to avoid Apple’s 15–30% cut from App Store purchases, and iPhone users were able to download apps hosted outside of the App Store for the first time.
All of this, of course, is a result of new regulations from the European Union that force Apple to alter its practises. With effect from 2024, the European Union’s Digital Markets Act is a historic overhaul of the EU’s digital regulations that compels major tech companies to allow users to download apps from multiple sources and to share their services and platforms with other developers.
This is probably the reason Apple decided to highlight a different feature—the ability to record videos in three dimensions—that was included in the most recent iOS 17 beta. While you can activate the feature right away and begin recording, you won’t be able to fully view these lifelike videos until the Apple
Next year, Apple Vision Pro is expected to be released.
Read More…
