Apple's iOS 17.5 beta marks a significant shift in the company's app distribution approach within the European Union, introducing support for sideloading apps directly from authorized developer websites. This update comes as part of Apple's efforts to align with the EU's Digital Markets Act, expanding beyond the initial plan of allowing sideloading solely through authorized alternative app marketplaces.
The decision to enable website downloads was influenced by regulatory pressure, with Apple committing to this inclusion in a forthcoming spring update. Details unearthed by MacRumors indicate that the iOS 17.5 version will facilitate this new sideloading option via Web Distribution, although it remains restricted to apps from websites that meet Apple's strict security and authorization criteria.
Developers looking to leverage this new distribution channel must adhere to newly established EU business terms, including a minimum two-year membership in the Developer Program and a track record of over a million first installs annually for their app. While not explicitly outlined, the framework for Web Distribution might also extend to developers capable of meeting alternative requirements, such as providing a standby letter of credit worth one million Euros alongside the two-year program membership.
Introduced on April 2, the first iOS 17.5 beta brings this groundbreaking change with minimal user-facing alterations, notably tweaking the Podcasts app widget. The broader public release of iOS 17.5 is anticipated for late April or early May, setting the stage for a new era of app distribution within the EU.