Yesterday was a historic day on iOS. With the arrival of AltStore PAL, a phase begins where we can finally install alternative app stores on the iPhone. We welcome all independent developers with open source applications to AltStore.

Although this possibility is on the table, you may consider whether it is safe Install both alternative app stores and apps downloaded from them. Apple itself gives us a few warnings about this, but according to its own company support page, the process is completely safe.

Far from “SpotifyPremium.APK”

For years, part of Android’s magic relied on APK files: ease of installing any application, more or less legal, on our mobile phone. On the other hand, this remains one of the biggest vulnerabilities in Android: anyone can install apps without knowing their origin.

Even though the system warns us Is it possible to install malware? With the appropriate permissions, it can completely control the system. The case of fake DHL messages was quite famous: an SMS that enabled the installation of the APK. Android phones have been infected with an application that can completely control the system. In case of iOS this was not possible. The biggest difference from alternative stores in the App Store lies at this point.

Apple makes it clear that: Every app published on alternative app markets Submitted to the certification process with Apple. This process refers to review that applies to all applications regardless of distribution channel.

“Notarization helps ensure that apps are free of malware, viruses, or other known security threats, work as promised, and do not expose users to fraud.”

In other words, the iPhone does not allow the installation of any applications that have not gone through the notarization process: they can be more or less advertising, they can be more or less aggressive in collecting user data, but in any case, will be free of malware (Unless Apple missed something in the review process).

“Do you want to start this store?” Yes. “But are you sure?” Yes. “But… are you sure?”

Despite this, there are many steps to take to install app stores on iPhone. First we go to the store page, press the download button.

Then the system will tell us: By default iPhone settings do not allow such installations. You will need to go to settings to authorize the app store.

After authorization, we pass through new filters: The person who first allowed the installation of the store, who notified in advance that the developer can access our data. This is the first authorization of iOS settings.

After that, a third authorization is needed: We must allow the website to install the app store on our iPhone. And finally, after receiving the store we will need to authorize each application we install. It’s a bit of a tedious process at first, but this prevents us from accidentally installing anything.

It is curiously awaited how the public will accept it. mainstream This is the new mechanic. The warnings are pretty discouraging, and historically the average iOS user hasn’t bothered to look for apps outside of the App Store because there aren’t any. Only time will tell whether alternative stores will mean a change in the way we consume apps.

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