Not for users who wish to use the macOS without engaging in Apple's services business.

It's already impossible on iOS, due to the fact that you cannot install any software except via the App Store, which requires an Apple ID.

At the moment it is possible to continue to use a mac and download and run software without an Apple ID, but if the trend of only releasing software via the App Store continues, that will become more and more difficult.

Even totally free apps in the App Store require that you identify yourself to Apple to download and use them.

Apple leadership has repeatedly said they aren't going to further restrict app installs on MacOS. Craig Fredaspaghetti just spoke about this in interviews on the Apple Silicon/Big Sur release. They use MacOS every day themselves, and deeply care about what it's different use case requires.

There are, as I understand it, certain notarization entitlements for APIs that Apple will only grant for App Store apps, such as VPN apps. This is the first I've heard of functionality being restricted to MAS apps (and prohibited from signed/notarized apps that are downloaded outside of MAS).

I was told this by the WireGuard team when I inquired why the WireGuard macOS VPN app is only available via MAS and not direct download (such as the Windows wg client).

I'm not 100% sure it's true, though, and am testing now. ProtonVPN claims to be working, with packet filtering for non-VPN traffic (kill switch) on 11.x, and they've a direct download, so it's possible that the wg devs are mistaken.

Apple leadership is answering in the implied context of "someone with an Apple ID". I'm never using my Apple ID again on a mac for any reason.

> Craig Fredaspaghetti just spoke about this in interviews on the Apple Silicon/Big Sur release.

Fredaspaghetti!