Brazil becomes the latest country to force Apple to allow sideloading

Another brick in Apple's walled garden has been thoroughly dislodged, as Brazil emerges as the latest country to mandate that iOS open up to sideloading on its devices. Apple now faces a 90-day deadline to comply with this court order, a situation not unfamiliar to them given their compliance with similar rulings elsewhere.

Apple is gearing up to appeal the decision, but the concept of sideloading remains a pivotal point of contention. For those unfamiliar, sideloading allows users to download and install applications directly onto their devices, bypassing traditional app stores. This practice, common among Android users through the use of APK files, enables the installation of third-party apps with ease.

Historically, Apple has staunchly resisted such changes. The issue gained significant attention following Epic's lawsuit over five years ago, which spotlighted Apple's control over its ecosystem. Apple's primary argument against sideloading revolves around privacy concerns, a stance they have consistently maintained. In 2022, their App Tracking Transparency (ATT) changes further stirred the gaming industry by mandating developers to seek user permission for advertising and limiting user profiling, moves that have attracted regulatory scrutiny for Apple's self-exemption.

Despite these efforts to prioritize privacy, Apple finds itself increasingly challenged. The push for sideloading, third-party app stores, and other modifications continues to gain traction, with countries like Vietnam and the broader EU leading the charge. It appears that Apple's era of stringent control might be waning.

While Apple prepares for its next move, if you're eager to explore new gaming options, don't miss our curated list of the top five new mobile games launched this week. Dive into the latest and greatest from the past seven days!