Apple allows sideloading applications, but not without conditions. Developers who want to offer their applications outside of the App Store may have to pay a price.

From March 7th it will be possible to use iOS applications outside of the secure environment of the App Store. Apple is not making these adjustments of its own free will, but rather under pressure from the European Digital Markets Act. Granting permission doesn’t mean Apple wants to encourage sideloading: According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple is preparing a counter-plan to allow developers to comply with its rules starting in March.

The newspaper is, among other things, about additional surcharges that Apple would charge developers if they wanted to offer their applications outside of the App Store. Apple also wants to set up a rating system to monitor sideloaded applications. Security is one of the main arguments why Apple has always rejected sideloading. Every application offered on the App Store has been approved by Apple. How this will work has not yet been written down in detail, summarizes the Wall Street Journal.

Past the checkout

Sideloading is just one of the big changes that the App Store will have to undergo from March. Apple also feels obliged to allow payments outside of its own payment system. This gives developers the opportunity to avoid the commission that Apple collects for each App Store payment (up to thirty percent of the amount). Spotify and Facebook, two vocal opponents of the App Store policy, have already indicated they will take advantage of it.

Apple wouldn’t be Apple if it couldn’t bend these rules to its will. For example, they are working on a system that would still allow Apple to pass the checkout. However, the iPhone manufacturer admits that it will be difficult to implement this in practice.