As part of a virtual interview during the VivaTech conference in Europe, sideloaded apps on the iPhone would 'destory' its security measures and result in a worse experience.
For any Android reading this, those comments might seem rather harsh. Sideloading apps simply means that someone is ing an application that isn't available on a phone's default app store — and it's something that Android s have been able to do for years. If an app isn't on the Google Play Store for whatever reason, s can find the app's .APK file on a website or third-party store, the file that way, and run it on their phone just like any other application.
Sideloading apps isn't something iPhone s have ever been able to do, and thanks to these recent comments by Cook himself, that likely isn't changing. When asked about the EU's Digital Service Act (a bill that would force Apple to allow sideloaded apps on the iPhone), he said, "As we look at that, that would destroy the security of the iPhone and a lot of the privacy initiatives that we've built into the App Store, where we have privacy nutrition labels and App Tracking Transparency that forces people to get permission to track across apps."
Why Cook Is Right (And Wrong) About Sideloading Apps
In some ways, Cook is both right and wrong about sideloaded apps 'destroying' iPhone security. As mentioned above, the App Store's privacy labels and the App Tracking Transparency feature wouldn't apply to applications ed from outside sources. Cook notes that "These things would not exist anymore, except in people that stuck with our ecosystem, and so I worry deeply about privacy and security." Outside of those specific iOS features not working, it's also true that people could create iPhone app files and fill them with malicious code. If those apps can be ed without being properly vetted by Apple, problems would likely ensue.
At the same time, however, Android has allowed sideloaded apps for years without any serious drawbacks. Not only are s required to dive deep into Android's settings to enable the feature, but Google also gives a warning before doing so. This means the vast majority of people have likely never even considered sideloading apps, with the feature mostly being reserved for enthusiasts aware of the security risks that come with it.
The real reason Apple is so against sideloaded apps is that they would by the App Store's fee. For any money developers make from the App Store, whether it be a paid application or in-app purchase, Apple takes a 30 percent cut of their revenue. Many developers have openly criticized the model, but since the App Store is the only way to distribute apps on the iPhone and iPad, there's nothing they can really do about it. That's not to say Apple isn't legitimately concerned about the privacy impact of sideloaded apps, but it's also clear that the company stands to take a financial hit if such a feature is ever allowed. If it's not good for the bottom line, don't expect Apple to become chummy with the idea of sideloading apps any time soon.
Source: Brut America