On Android, sideloading has already been possible for a long time… and now, this is also the case for iPhone users in Europe! The European Digital Market Act (DMA) has in fact forced Apple to authorize the installation of sideloading applications on iOS.
Now is the ideal time to call on a freelance iOS mobile developer and bring your iPhone or iPad application project to life!
What is sideloading? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this technique? We tell you everything!
What is sideloading?
Sideloading consists of installing an application on a smartphone or tablet, without going through the device's official store (such as the Google Play Store or the App Store, for example.).
This parallel (or lateral) download method provides users with access to multiple smartphone applications. They can download software prohibited by official stores or not available in their country.
This practice is useful for developers who wish to free themselves from the constraints published by the Apple and Android stores. However, sideloading presents risks, both for professionals (entrepreneurs and freelancers) who exceed the conditions of use of smartphones, and for users who download them.
The advantages of developing a sideloading application
Apple and Android both offer stores and tools for developing an official application. Why try to code a tool or software using sideloading? There are 4 main advantages to offering your mobile application outside of the App Store and the Google Play Store:
Bypass the restrictions of official stores
Sideloading allows users to access apps that are not approved in official stores (due to geographic restrictions or specific policies, for example). By choosing to develop a side application, you free yourself from these limitations.
Offer ultra-personalized features
Since sideloading allows everything, you are 100% free with your app's theme, interface, and compatibility. You can even offer multiple versions, so users choose the one that best suits their needs or the one that fits their smartphone.
Reduce costs and maximize revenue
To have the right to submit an application to the official stores, you must pay a license: €99 per year on the App Store and €25 (one-time) for the Google Play Store.
Furthermore, when you generate revenue through your application, you must pay a 15% commission to Apple or Android.
These costs are absent when you use sideloading. The income generated by your project goes 100% to you.
Offer beta versions
Developers can use sideloading to distribute a beta version of their app to a sample of users, before the official launch. This allows them to get feedback and test their idea in real-world conditions.
The disadvantages of offering your application in sideloading
All is not rosy in the land of sideloading! There are also 4 disadvantages to consider before developing a side application by a freelancer…
The risk of incompatibility and technical problems
The official stores check the applications offered thoroughly. In the event of incompatibility, bugs or anomalies, they are refused. The freelance developer is informed of the problems encountered and can correct them. When the application is sideloaded, no external verification is performed. If you launch a buggy product, you risk losing user trust… and revenue!
The security risk
The App Store and Google Play Store check apps for malware and other threats. They also assume responsibility for digital rights management (DRM). In the case of sideloading, you are solely responsible for the security of your application. And nothing stops hackers from offering a hacked version of your tool, containing infected code…
User distrust
Given the security risks of downloading a parallel application, some mobile users refuse sideloading. You risk losing part of your target by only offering your tool in this version.
Legal risks
In some cases, sideloading may violate the device manufacturer's terms of use or security policies. The freelance developer in charge of your application project may therefore incur legal risks.
Where can you sideload on iOS?
With the iOS 17.4 update in March 2024, Apple finally opened the door to sideloading for users located in the European Union, following the entry into force of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This European legislation aims to limit the control of large platforms over their ecosystems and forces Apple to allow the installation of applications from sources other than the official App Store.
In practical terms, this means that European iOS users now have greater freedom to download and install applications, even if they are not validated by Apple, which opens up new possibilities for developers and users.
On the other hand, this possibility remains very limited geographically. Outside the European Union, sideloading is not yet permitted. Apple is still looking into the matter in other regions around the world and while discussions are ongoing, no official rollout date has been announced. Users located outside of Europe will therefore have to wait before being able to take advantage of this flexibility, and will continue to depend on the App Store to install new applications.
If you live in the EU, you can already sideload and develop your iOS application on Codeur.com by calling on a freelance iOS developer.
Android sideloading: still available!
Users of Samsung smartphones (Galaxy or others), Huawei, Xiaomi, Google Pixel or other device running Android, sideloading remains permitted.
You can always change your settings to install apps outside of the Google Play store. All you have to do is find the APK file of the app, download it and install it manually.
The software will work as if you downloaded it from the official store. If you are looking to publish a mobile application on Android without going through Google Play, entrust your project to a freelance Android developer !
Take advantage of sideloading for your freelance projects
With sideloading now available on iOS in Europe, now is the perfect time to think about creating or adapting your iPhone or iPad app. This new freedom allows you to directly reach your users, even outside the App Store, and to diversify your distribution channels.
To make your project a reality, do not hesitate to call on one by one freelance by posting an ad on Codeur.com. You will easily find an iOS developer capable of creating or adapting your application, taking into account the new possibilities offered by sideloading and the specific requirements of European users.