Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) seems to be setting the stage for sideloading of applications on iPhones, according to an analysis of the latest iOS 17.2 update.

What Happened: Apple may be adjusting its approach to meet the requirements of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), reported 9to5Mac.

This antitrust legislation forces Apple to let iPhone users sideload apps from places apart from the official App Store, thereby promoting competition.

Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, Craig Federighi, had earlier said that the company is "working with the EU" to allow sideloading apps on iOS.

The iOS 17.2 includes a fresh public framework called "Managed App Distribution".

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An in-depth examination of this code reveals an ability that facilitates other apps to create similar extensions. Third-party developers could use this feature to build their own app stores, thereby steering clear of Apple’s App Store regulations and also offering an alternative to iPhone users.

This API includes several critical features of an app store like downloading, installing, and updating apps from third-party sources.

However, there is a catch: this API includes a region lock, indicating that Apple might restrict sideloading to certain countries, specifically where it’s legally required, such as the European Union.

Despite its plans to appeal to the European Union about including the App Store in the DMA, the company has conceded that expected changes will affect the App Store's business model.

Why It Matters: Apple’s move towards sideloading aligns with its earlier statement that it is discussing ways to comply with the European Union’s mandate.

While Federighi revealed this during the WWDC 2023 event, he did not divulge any more details about how this feature will be implemented. The latest iOS 17.2 beta code suggests that Apple is making strides in this direction.

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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of Benzinga Neuro and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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