Those instructions aren’t exactly what I’d call user-friendly when the equivalent for other OSes is ‘download and run the installer’.

(And what if you don’t own a Mac? Create an entire macOS VM just for the purpose of installing an app on your phone?)

The instructions could be clearer but if you have access to the compiled binary there are tools for windows/Linux that will sign the binaries using your apple account (altsigner and cydia impacter are two that spring to mind for windows).

Compiling source on anything other than MacOS (at least was - not looked into it in a while) a PITA.

The point remains. Having to jump through a bunch of hoops is the opposite of user-friendly.

And to take the argument more broadly: how many of us here on HN became interested in computing because they screwed around on their PC as a child? What about today's children, who get a smartphone, a tablet and maybe a Chromebook? What are we teaching them?

Oh, I completely agree, I was just pointing out you don't need MacOS to sign and install the binary.

I am for hassle-free side loading on every platform (Even on games consoles). I also dislike how most smartphones and tablets have become "Internet consumption devices".