Apple’s plans for sideloading of apps via stores outside the App Store may now be emerging. The company is beta testing a Managed App Distribution (MAD) system that could support the EU-mandated practice of downloading apps from third-party stores onto iPhones.
What is app sideloading?
App sideloading means iPhone users might be able to purchase and acquire apps for their iPhones from third-party sources outside of Apple’s own curated App Store. Apple is expected to introduce some form of support for sideloading on iPhones/iPads in March 2024 in Europe, as required to do so by law at that point.