The iPhone has always had a feature that differentiated it from Android. Now everything is going to change and from the first half of 2024, iPhones will become less secure.

Until now, it has always been impossible or at least very difficult to sideload applications onto the iPhone. However, this will change. iPhone users in the EU will have the possibility to download and install applications from sources outside Apple's App Store from the first half of 2024.

This change is being made by Apple to comply with the new Digital Markets Act (DMA) issued by the European Union, which came into force on November 1, 2022. The requirements of this law determine that 'guardian' companies, such as Apple, must open their services and platforms to other companies and developers.

Apple will have to join Sideload.

The process, known as sideloading, allows users to install applications on their devices that have been downloaded directly from a website or developer, just as they would on a PC or Mac. Or from a third-party application store, such as the Apple Appstore.

Historically, Apple has always been against allowing users to sideload applications. However, the deadline for complying with the EU DMA is March 6, 2024. Therefore, Apple is expected to make these changes before this date. Microsoft has already made changes to Windows 11 to allow the integration of third-party app stores. Android, historically, has always supported sideloading.