Sideloading May Soon Be Possible on Your iPad - Here’s What It Implies

The European Union (EU) has been making significant strides in breaking down the barriers of the iPhone’s enclosed ecosystem, compelling Apple to permit European iOS users to sideload apps from alternative app stores if they choose to do so. However, there has been scant information on how this will impact the iPad - until now.

Recently, the EU classified the iPadOS operating system as a “gatekeeper,” which means it will be subject to the same Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations that have compelled Apple to liberalize its iOS ecosystem. With this decision, the EU has stated that "Apple now has six months to ensure full compliance of iPadOS with the DMA obligations."

Although iOS and iPadOS are technically distinct operating systems, they are very similar both in front-end and back-end, and they have only existed as separate entities since Apple spun off iPadOS in 2019. Most importantly, they use the same method of distributing apps as each other – specifically, only from Apple’s locked-down App Store. That means that if the EU deemed that iOS was a gatekeeper and had to be opened up, the same was always likely to be true of iPadOS.

From a practical standpoint, the EU’s decision could have significant implications for iPad users. We’ve already seen how Apple has been forced to open up iOS and similar changes are likely coming to iPadOS. For instance, we expect you will no longer be restricted to only downloading apps from the App Store. On iOS, Apple is allowing users in the EU to source apps from both third-party app stores and directly from developer websites. We imagine similar changes will be coming to iPadOS.

However, it won’t be a total free-for-all. Apple has said that if app developers want to allow downloads from their websites, they must have been part of the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years, have had at least one million first installs in the EU in the previous year, and must submit their apps to notarization, which lets Apple check for malicious code and other nasties. These measures are intended to keep users safe from viruses and trojans, something Apple has been vocal in warning people about.

Interestingly, the EU says that one of the reasons iPadOS was designated a gatekeeper platform is that, “end users are locked-in to iPadOS." On iOS, Apple is allowing users in the EU to source apps from both third-party app stores and directly from developer websites1. We imagine similar changes will be coming to iPadOS. It won’t be a total free-for-all."