Breakthrough: Apple Might Decide To Allow Independent iPhone App Shops

Since 2008, Apple has restricted access to the iPhone's App Store to its own. In the past, jailbreaking your cell phone was required if you wanted access to alternative digital stores. But in the near future, possibly as soon as iOS 17 in 2023, Apple may start enabling alternate app shops on the iPhone and iPad in reaction to upcoming restrictions from the European Union. For the very first time, Apple will permit third-party app stores on the iPhone, claims a report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple appears to be allocating a "substantial amount of resources to the companywide project" already. Bloomberg received information about this new project from sources who described it as a "big drive to open up key components of Apple's platforms." Customers might eventually download third-party software to their iPhones and iPads without accessing the company's App Store, according to the report. Also Read; Is Tesla Phone Really To Happen? See all details inside Even though this could be a fantastic idea for consumers, not all Apple engineers are on board. A "distraction from typical day-to-day development of future features," in the words of some. Reads the report: "Apple is devoting a considerable amount of resources to the enterprise-wide project. Given that Apple has spent years criticizing the need for "sideloading" — the act of installing software without using the official App Store — it hasn't been a well-liked endeavor within the company. Apple has argued that sideloading might install dangerous programs on consumers' devices and jeopardize privacy in its campaign against the new European legislation." According to the persons, some of the engineers working on the plan also view it as a diversion from the daily creation of future features. The improvements are expected to be completed as part of an upgrade to iOS 17 early in the next year, which would be in accordance with specifications. Andreas Wendker, vice president of software engineering at Apple, is in charge of this project and answers to Craig Federighi. But the services team will also be working on this, so it will involve more than just Apple's engineering staff. Leading the effort on the services side is Jeff Robbin, the top engineering manager, who answers to Eddy Cue. [caption id="attachment_60583" align="alignnone" width="1600"] Image credit: techradar[/caption] It won't be the wild west of app shops, despite the possibility of permitting third-party digital storefronts for the iPhone and iPad. Even if the software is released outside of the App Store, Apple could nevertheless impose some security restrictions. For instance, Apple can demand verification, which might cost the app's makers money. It is still unknown whether Apple would go with it, though. Also Read: Microsoft releases Designer, AI tool that creates images from text Although these modifications are only anticipated to affect Europe, it's not difficult to envision a time when iPhones will eventually be able to access third-party app stores thanks to legislation from other nations. Similarly, Gurman asserts that Apple won't just open up third-party app shops. Additionally, he claims that this would enable the camera, NFC, Find My, online browsers, and more. In other words, an iPhone may enable Google Pay or a Tile tracker that integrates with Find My. This will be a significant move for Apple, which has historically been tight about what consumers can and cannot download on their devices via the App Store. Third-party app shops for the iPhone may be welcomed by some people while being unwelcome to others.