Apple reportedly working to add support for alternative app stores on iPhone and iPad
Tom Sykes
Posted On 13/12/2022 
In what would be one of the most significant changes to iOS to date, Apple is reportedly working to add support for alternative app stores on iPhone and iPad which would allow users download third-party apps on their devices without using the Apple-owned App Store.
To comply with strict European Union requirements coming into force in 2024, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has claimed that “software engineering and services employees are engaged in a major push to open up key elements of Apple’s platforms,” citing people familiar with the efforts.
By adding sideloading support, apps for iPhone and iPad would be made available from third-party app stores and not just the Apple-owned App Store as it stands today, thus allowing developers to avoid the 15 to 30 percent fees changed on purchases.
Apple is claimed to be putting “a significant amount of resources” into the effort, which will likely be made available with iOS 17 to users in Europe where the law would be in effect.
Changes would also come to NFC chip and camera access, Find My network for rivals to the AirTag, web browsing engines and other areas of Apple’s software. The company still plans to charge developers for access to iOS even with side loading.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) December 13, 2022
In addition to allowing users download third-party apps on their devices without using the Apple-owned App Store, Apple is said to be working on opening up other parts of the iPhone that are currently inaccessible by developers, including the iPhone’s NFC system, which would allow third-party developers to create alternative wallet apps and payment systems to rival Apple Pay.
