When Apple announced plans to comply with the new Digital Markets Act (DMA) in Europe, we discovered that the side-loading iPhone wasn’t going to be what some developers and iPhone users wanted.
Sideloading refers to downloading apps for a device from any source, including developer websites. Initially, Apple’s proposed support for third-party downloads covered only alternative App Stores, App Marketplaces. Apple then changed its stance and decided to allow direct download of iPhone applications from the developer’s website (web distribution). The company has promised that such functionality will be available this spring.
Apple just released the iOS 17.5 beta 1 update and it looks like this is the update that will enable the sideloading iPhone feature you’ve always wanted. Win? Well, not so fast. It will be a while before this becomes a thing, since developers have to agree to a certain set of terms.
Apple hasn’t announced that downloading apps from websites will be available after the iOS 17.5 update arrives later this year, but MacRumors says it’s happening.
Then again, we don’t need that many confirmations. Apple said it would enable the feature this spring, which is practically here. The iOS 17.5 update is the next big release for iOS and support for downloading apps from websites makes sense.
As I warned before, every time I talked about iPhone sideloading support under DMA rules, you shouldn’t get too excited.
First, downloading apps from websites will only be available to iPhone users in the 27 member states of the European Union. Second, iPhone sideloading only applies to iPhones. The iPad doesn’t get the same treatment.
Third, developers who want to offer users to download applications must comply with special requirements. They must have developer accounts that are two years old or older and be in good standing with Apple. They must also manage apps that have garnered more than one million first annual installs in the EU in the previous calendar year.
They must also agree to have Apple notarize their apps or go through a soft review that ensures the apps are safe for the user. Developers must be transparent about data collection policies and allow users control over how their data is collected and used.
If a developer meets these requirements and wants to enable app downloads from their website, they will soon be able to do so. Then, iOS 17.5 will allow iPhone users to download those apps.
The reason I wouldn’t get too excited right away concerns Apple’s Core Technology Fee (CTF) that applies to App Marketplaces and web distribution. Apple will charge developers €0.50 for each app download from these sources after the app reaches 1 million downloads.
People may not like the CTF, but it’s a tax that needs to be there. Developers have to pay Apple some sort of fee for what Apple offers them in return.
As you can see above, Apple will only allow direct downloads of apps from websites for apps that have exceeded one million downloads in the previous calendar year. Therefore, these apps are likely to generate revenue for Apple through the CTF fee.
It’s part of the iPhone sideloading that developers have to accept if they want to escape the App Store. And not all developers of popular iPhone apps will necessarily want to accept direct downloads. It will be interesting to see which companies opt for web distribution later this year.
I will add that not all developers will pay CTF, as Apple explains:
Non-profit organizations, accredited educational institutions or government bodies based in the EU that have been granted a fee waiver are exempt from the annual Apple Developer Program membership fee and core technology fee.
But these are probably not the apps you can’t wait to install on your iPhone from the developer’s website. They would be better off staying in the App Store.