Sideloading of apps is a topic that has become really active in the news sphere recently and there are good and bad reasons for that. Google has always vouched for sideloading of apps for Android users who can enjoy the freedom of an open-source platform, while Apple has refused to sign up for this method because of reasons that the company has explained quite a few times.
So what exactly is sideloading of apps, how does it work and why have Google and Apple CEOs talked their users against doing it on their phones? Here’s a detailed piece that tells you the how and why.
Sideloading of Apps: What Is It?
Sideloading is basically a method which allows you to install apps on devices that are not approved by the publisher, in this case, Google which has the Play Store for Android devices. You can install apps using third-party websites who make their APKs available which can be downloaded on a smartphone and then installed using the file. Android users have used this feature to install any apps for many years and Google had no control on how this was done and from where apps were installed. Developers like Epic Games have offered popular games like Fortnite through their website for Android users.
Why Are Google and Apple CEO’s Against Sideloading?
Apple has always been known for being a walled garden and the company has restricted access to third-party apps stores and denied permission to sideload apps. The company has repeatedly pointed out that sideloading apps can be a risky thing to do as the publisher, in this case Apple, cannot have any control on which apps are installed and it is possible that some of these apps can be dangerous to use on a device. Google CEO Sundar Pichai was recently giving testimony in the Google vs Epic Games case in the US, where he pointed out that people should not sideload apps.
As you might be aware, Google and Apple charge a commission from the developers who host their apps on the Play Store and App Store, respectively. Many developers have criticised the companies for this fee, which is why there are multiple antitrust cases going against both Google and Apple in different parts of the world.
Google’s change of heart in this regard suggests the company doesn’t want people to install apps from other app stores, claiming there is a security risk but it could also be a tactic to stop people from using other platforms to install apps rather than the Play Store which affects its chances to earn revenue.
Sideloading of Apps: Is It Safe?
Experts have pointed out that sideloading of apps, especially done via unknown sources can be dangerous as they could be malicious. But Google cannot restrict users from doing so if they feel that’s the best way to use some of the apps not available on the Play Store. Apple feels that sideloading on iOS could make it less secure, which could be true but that doesn’t mean the company cannot figure out a way to keep its users protected from such actions.
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