Apple has a limited amount of time to fully comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which will require the Cupertino company to allow users to install apps from sources outside of the App Store as of March 6. With the deadline quickly approaching, Apple will likely release the initial beta of iOS 17.4 sometime this week, which could include the needed code to comply with the upcoming EU requirements.
Apple is expected to add support for both third-party app stores and app sideloading on the iPhone for users residing in EU countries, which includes Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and others.
Apple has long pushed back against the EU Digital Markets Act, as well as any type of app sideloading, citing security and privacy risks for customers.
While Apple will comply with the act, it will likely comply in the standard Apple way, placing limitations on using third-party app stores and sideloading apps on the iPhone. Apple recently allowed developers in the U.S. to inform users of payment methods outside of the App Store while still collecting as much as a 27% cut of the action on outside sales.
Apple has also promised to grant third-party access to the iPhone’s NFC chip in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, allowing Apple Pay competitors to compete on more even ground. Apple hasn’t yet announced when it will open up NFC on the iPhone, but it will likely take place sometime after app sideloading is put into place.
