Apple may charge fees and review apps installed via sideloading

Sideloaded apps are coming soon to iOS, but Apple may still be making money from them.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple is creating new policies revolving around fees related to sideloaded apps. The Cupertino colossus will allow sideloaded apps (which are applications installed on an iPhone or iPad outside of Apple's App Store) in response to the Digital Markets Act, a law in the European Union that forces companies to open otherwise closed app ecosystems.

However, Apple will apparently charge companies a fee on apps installed via any method outside the App Store. The Journal's report is fairly vague and doesn't detail what the fee scheme is, who exactly will be charges, or how Apple intends to collect revenue.

Per the Journal, big service providers like Meta and Spotify have plans to offer app downloads outside the App Store, encouraging users to sideload applications. These can be app downloads direct from a company's website or through advertisements within an app (as in the case with Meta's Facebook app).

However, the Journal claims that Apple will charge a fee for apps that are sideloaded. Additionally, Apple will conduct app reviews for third-party sideloaded apps, although it is uncertain how the company would accomplish this.

According to the Journal's sources, these policies will only apply to Europe, so American and Asian iPhone users may still be forced into using Apple's App Store for all their app needs (unless they want to use unsanctioned methods like jailbreaking or alternative marketplaces like the AltStore). Again, it is uncertain how Apple hopes to enforce this policy.

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