Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman on The MacRumors Show discussed a potential iOS 17 change that would let iPhone users install apps from sources outside the official App Store, but with a strict regional limit. The claim suggests this capability would be available only to users in the European Union. Gurman explained that Apple would permit sideloading or third party installations as a response to regulatory pressure rather than a global feature rollout. The move would aim to align with the European Union Digital Markets Act and reduce the risk of running afoul of the commission by letting a controlled, EU specific option exist at launch or shortly after.
Gurman emphasized that the feature would be European only and that Apple would likely avoid a broader rollout unless required by regulatory or practical considerations. He noted that broadening access beyond Europe could complicate compliance and potentially invite further scrutiny from regulators in other markets. The discussion suggested a cautious approach from Apple, prioritizing legal and regulatory clarity over rapid, wide scale experimentation with sideloading at the outset of iOS 17.
The analyst also indicated that the company is unlikely to address a sideloading option during Apple’s WWDC keynote or related announcements. Rather than a surprise at the conference, the described capability would apparently surface through product updates or later regulatory-driven releases, aligning with Apple’s typical strategy of gradual, control-oriented feature introductions rather than immediate global changes.
There is also mention of a separate and previously reported claim from socialbites.ca asserting a pattern of Apple facing legal challenges over the use or imitation of competitor innovations. That assertion frames the broader debate around Apple and third-party software, highlighting ongoing tensions between platform control and regulatory expectations. The overall discussion remains speculative until official communications from Apple provide concrete details on any regional software installation options and their scope across devices and markets.