Re:iOS 17 will reportedly set the stage for sideloading apps...
by dvzk on Monday April 17, 2023 @04:56PM
(#35606510)
When I first looked into this, free Apple developer accounts could also only use limited app entitlements: so no network extensions, VPN profiles, Apple push notifications, or other capabilities. NetworkExtension is basically the only reason I’m interested in iOS development at all, so a paid account was not optional.
all of this has prevented a legitimate sideloading scene from truly emerging on the iPhone - which, depending on where you ideologically stand on this, could be considered monopolistic.
i think there’s definitely room to make the process a lot easier - even if it’s just for power users.