Apple might limit iOS sideloading when it releases in iOS 17

twolf2919

If side loading becomes a reality, I hope Apple insists on putting up a clear warning dialog whenever a user tries to side load an application.  The EU doesn't seem to give a sh1t about the safety/security of naive users who, until this becomes available, relied on Apple to keep them secure from malicious apps.  I can already see the Safari popups inviting users to download a cool free app from lord-knows-where.   A warning that they're about to install an application from a potentially dangerous source should be done for sure.  It would be even nicer if Apple required all apps - side loaded or not - to go through the Apple review process or at least be signed with a valid certificate so there's at least traceability.

xyzzy-xxx

twolf2919 said:

If side loading becomes a reality, I hope Apple insists on putting up a clear warning dialog whenever a user tries to side load an application.  The EU doesn't seem to give a sh1t about the safety/security of naive users who, until this becomes available, relied on Apple to keep them secure from malicious apps.  I can already see the Safari popups inviting users to download a cool free app from lord-knows-where.   A warning that they're about to install an application from a potentially dangerous source should be done for sure.  It would be even nicer if Apple required all apps - side loaded or not - to go through the Apple review process or at least be signed with a valid certificate so there's at least traceability.

Side loading works great on the Mac as long as you only load software with a valid developer certificate. I expect the same on iOS. If you believe that the App Store protects you from malware you are just wrong. The App Store review process is great to enforce the rules defined by Apple on how apps should behave and on content restrictions, but any well hidden malware would not be detected.

Japhey

twolf2919 said:

If side loading becomes a reality, I hope Apple insists on putting up a clear warning dialog whenever a user tries to side load an application.  The EU doesn't seem to give a sh1t about the safety/security of naive users who, until this becomes available, relied on Apple to keep them secure from malicious apps.  I can already see the Safari popups inviting users to download a cool free app from lord-knows-where.   A warning that they're about to install an application from a potentially dangerous source should be done for sure.  It would be even nicer if Apple required all apps - side loaded or not - to go through the Apple review process or at least be signed with a valid certificate so there's at least traceability.

Yes, that would be nice. It might be wishful thinking, however, since it’s impossible to predict the chaos that will ensue once the genie is out of the bottle. The warning popups are a sure thing, though Apple may have to do much more than that to educate its users on potential pitfalls.