I used to worry about iPhone sideloading coming to Europe before I knew what Apple’s implementation would be like. Malware remains a threat for apps Apple hasn’t tested for the App Store, of course. But it won’t be easy for hackers to target users. They can’t just mount campaigns to trick non-tech-savvy iPhone users into installing malicious apps that look like genuine apps.
Apple has strict rules governing who can provide third-party app stores on the iPhone. These third-party app markets must meet strict requirements to be approved.
But if that’s not enough of a guarantee for iPhone users like me who don’t want sideloading, there’s one thing you can do. You can block third-party App Store alternatives on iPhone, including your own phone or a family member’s iPhone.
I think I am well trained enough in the ways of the internet to avoid installing malicious apps on my devices. And I won’t be using iPhone sideloading even though it will be available to me since I live in Europe.
I used to worry about people in my family who might be exposed to apps outside of the App Store. It doesn’t worry me anymore. As I explained above, third-party app marketplaces have specific requirements. And it is up to the user to download those alternative App Stores to their devices.
Still, I was hoping at the time that Apple would implement a setting in iOS to block third-party app markets if the user wanted to. As it turns out, Apple quietly added that functionality in iOS 17.4.
You can use the new Screen Time setting in iOS 17.4 to prevent app stores from being installed on your iPhone or someone in your family. This can be useful if you’re managing a teenager’s iPhone, who might download apps from the market. Or if you want to make sure your parents aren’t exposed to third-party App Store alternatives.
Apple has released a new support document that explains how easy it is to block the app market from being installed on the iPhone. Here’s the full procedure, according to Apple:
- Open it settings app on your iPhone.
- Touch Screen time.
- If you haven’t set Screen Time yet, tap Turn on Screen Time, then tap it again. Choose “This is my [Device]” or “This is my child [Device].” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- Touch Content and privacy restrictions. If prompted, enter your passcode turn on Content and privacy restrictions.
- Touch Installations and purchases of applications.
- Touch Application markets change this to Don’t let it.
Apple also notes that iPhones with parental controls turned on before the iOS 17.4 update will not automatically restrict app markets. You will need to follow the steps above to do this.
I can confirm that the parental control settings are set in iOS 17.4 and you can already block access to sideloading if you so choose; just check out the screenshots above.