iOS 17.4 beta released with App sideloading and alternative browser engines in the EU

iOS 17.4 beta released with App sideloading and alternative browser engines in the EU،

Apple has just released iOS 17.4 Developer Beta 1. After the widely public release of iOS 17.3 just a few days ago, the writing was on the wall for a new developer release. And it's here for anyone adventurous enough to test out a developer beta, which these days is free to test.

But back to the new here iOS 17.4 beta 1. What's new and what's changed?

New features in iOS 17.4 beta 1

From the start, few changes are visible from the outside. In fact, there's little new stuff to play with.

But what is important here is Apple complies with the European Digital Markets Act (DMA) and adopting tons of changes in Safari, the App Store and iOS itself. The directive, which essentially allows iPhone users in the EU to benefit from sideloading apps from third-party app stores, take advantage of non-WebKit-based browsers, and additional safeguards to mitigate user risks , will arrive with the public publication of iOS 17.4.

Basically, iOS 17.4 will allow EU users to:

load apps from third-party app stores (currently only developers can load apps)
use browsers based on another engine (all iOS browsers currently rely on Apple's WebKit engine)
choose their default browsers the first time they launch Safari after iOS 17.4 (currently not available in beta)

Apple said that it has included more than 600 new APIs as well as expanded application analytics, but does not miss the opportunity to once again express its concerns regarding “new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, illegal and harmful content, and other threats to privacy and security.” One way to combat this problem is a new protection called Notarization for iOS Apps, which aims to reduce risks by allowing marketplace developers to sell apps or accept alternative payments.

Yet the word “risk” is used 22 times in the press release, revealing that Apple is adopting this EU-forced change willy-nilly.

Some new iOS features for developers that will arrive with iOS 17.4 but are not necessarily part of the most recent beta version:

New options for distributing iOS apps from alternative app marketplaces
New framework and API to create alternative app marketplaces
New frameworks and APIs for alternative browser engines
Interoperability Request Form
Notarization for iOS apps
Application installation sheets
Authorization for marketplace developers
Additional protections against malware

Sideloading iOS 17.4

When sideloading, iOS users in the EU will not be able to enjoy some of the usual benefits. For example, app purchases outside the App Store will not be detailed in the App Store and Apple will not be able to issue a refund. Family Purchase Sharing and Purchase Request will also not be compatible with apps downloaded and/or purchased outside of the App Store.

However, App Tracking Transparency will still work with apps from alternative stores, so users will be able to prohibit apps from sharing their tracking data and sending it to the respective app developer.

iOS 17.4: When is it coming?

Apple says all of these changes will go into effect in March, so we should definitely expect that iOS 17.4 to exit beta and arrive in public release to all iPhone users before March. Of course, non-European iOS users need not worry as nothing will apparently change for them. No sideloading, alternative app stores and browser engines are expected in the United States.