Brazil becomes the latest country to force Apple to allow sideloading
Carnivale for sideloading fans
- Apple now has 90 days to allow sideloading in Brazil following a court order
- They plan to appeal, but have already had to comply with similar rulings in other countries
- This change would allow users to load apps directly onto their phones, similar to APKs on Android
Another brick in Apple's walled garden has been thoroughly kicked out, as Brazil is the latest country to demand the iOS owner opens up sideloading on its devices. Apple now has 90 days to comply, with the judge in the case pointing out that they were already in compliance with similar rulings in other countries.
Naturally, Apple is set to appeal. For those not in the know sideloading essentially means the ability to download and install apps without using a conventional app store. Android users have already benefited from it for years with the use of APKs to install third-party apps directly onto their phones.
However, much like with third-party storefronts, Apple has been vehemently opposed to it for years. But after Epic's lawsuit (now more than five years ago) was levied at Apple it brought the issue of the tech giant's approach to curating their ecosystem into focus.
Apple's main argument against the ruling is, as always, based on privacy. Like it or lump it, this has been the key sticking point for sideloading, third-party storefronts and more. Back in 2022 apple even shook up the gaming world with their ATT changes that required devs to request permission for advertising and reduced the ability to assign user profiles; something that has drawn regulatory scrutiny in that they were of course exempted.
However, despite this push for privacy Apple has still come under fire and now seems to be fighting a losing battle against sideloading, third-party storefronts and other changes. In countries like Vietnam, and the broader EU, it seems that the days of Apple being all bezels and no edges is coming to an end.
Better luck next time to them I suppose. But if you're more concerned about new things to play why not check out our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week for some great launches from the last seven days?
