Brazil Forces Apple to Permit Sideloading Apps

Another brick in Apple's walled garden has been thoroughly kicked out, as Brazil becomes the latest country to demand that the iOS giant allow sideloading on its devices. Apple now has 90 days to comply with this ruling, following similar mandates in other countries.

Naturally, Apple is set to appeal this decision. For those unfamiliar, sideloading refers to the ability to download and install apps without using a conventional app store. This practice has been a staple for Android users for years, allowing them to install third-party apps directly onto their phones via APKs.

However, Apple has been staunchly opposed to sideloading for years, much like their resistance to third-party storefronts. The issue gained significant attention following Epic's lawsuit against Apple more than five years ago, which highlighted the tech giant's approach to curating their ecosystem.

PeekabooApple's primary argument against the ruling continues to revolve around privacy concerns. This has been the key sticking point for sideloading, third-party storefronts, and other related issues. In 2022, Apple's ATT (App Tracking Transparency) changes shook up the gaming world, requiring developers to request permission for advertising and reducing the ability to assign user profiles. These changes have drawn regulatory scrutiny, particularly because Apple itself was exempted.

Despite their emphasis on privacy, Apple continues to face challenges and appears to be fighting a losing battle against sideloading, third-party storefronts, and other changes. In regions like Vietnam and the broader EU, it seems that Apple's era of complete control is coming to an end.

Better luck next time to them, I suppose. But if you're more interested in discovering new games to play, why not check out our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week for some exciting launches from the last seven days?