Apple claims that allowing developers to distribute apps outside its official App Store would “expose users to serious security risks”.
A new report from the company argues strongly against allowing so-called sideloading of apps.
The report suggests a range of hypothetical problems including ransomware and financial scams.
This comes as Apple is under pressure from regulators and some developers over its App Store.
The company is awaiting the outcome of its legal battle with Epic Games over what the games studios says are unfair terms set by Apple.
Epic Games has made no secret of its ambition to create a competing storefront – however Apple does not allow third-party app stores to eb downloaded from its own App Store.
Apple is concerned that forthcoming EU regulation of digital markets could effectively force Apple to enable sideloading.
The 16-page report from Apple appears to be a compilation of all the tech giant’s arguments against relinquishing exclusive control of app sales on its iPhone and iPad platforms.
“Some have suggested that we should create ways for developers to distribute their apps outside of the App Store, through websites or third-party app stores,” the report says.
“Allowing sideloading would degrade the security of the iOS platform and expose users to serious security risks.”
