The world is changing: Japan to force Apple to allow sideloading on iOS،
Long story short, Japan's Fair Trade Commission is reportedly working on new regulations that would force Apple to allow sideloading on iOS.
Apple has long resisted enabling sideloading on iOS since the platform's birth in 2007, but it increasingly seems like the end of an era is approaching.
The new set of rules prepared by Japanese regulators actually covers a number of areas, such as app stores, payment systems and search engines. In addition to allowing users to install apps on their iPhone wherever they want, it is also expected that third-party payment systems will be allowed, meaning Apple could reduce its sales and in-app purchases.
All of these regulations will be in effect for both Apple and Google, and while Google has traditionally allowed users to download apps, their in-app purchase revenue could also take a hit.
Sideloading is extremely easy to do on all other major platforms like Windows, MacOS, and Android. However, iOS was designed from the start as a very tightly integrated platform, which allowed Apple to create an incredibly rich and lucrative app economy.
Otherwise, users will be able to get their apps wherever they want and potentially pay cheaper in-app purchases, so it's still a win in our book. It remains to be seen whether US regulators will, at some point, take similar action.