Coming soon to Apple: third-party app stores -- and sideloading apps: Apple is preparing to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, meaning it will soon support third-party app markets and sideloading of individual apps.

Apple is preparing to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, which will require the company to support third-party app markets and sideloading of individual apps. This move is not unprecedented, as Apple has supported these mechanisms since iOS 4 was released in 2010. The company has a history of fighting against opening up its devices to third parties, but it will likely have to comply with similar mandates from other governments in the future. Apple is expected to maintain control over iOS by using a model similar to enterprise app stores, where apps are downloaded from a central source and meet certain security standards. Sideloading, which refers to installing apps from outside the App Store, may also be supported in limited circumstances. However, Apple is likely to limit the capabilities of apps from other stores and maintain a closed operating system. Users will need to explicitly acknowledge the risks of installing apps from alternative sources, absolving Apple of responsibility. It is uncertain whether alternate app stores will be accessible on managed iOS devices. [Extracted from the article]