[aeonflux]

Supported side-loading is a thing on Android since day one? What innovation came out of this? Thousands of rip-off apps, all sort of malware pushed upon clueless users? I know, that some of those things are still a problem on iOS, but just imagine how worse this can gen, if they would be forced to open up the system for additional app stores.

[Macha]

Third party app stores cannot automatically update apps - each individual update requires going through a modal OS prompt to confirm. This harms the install experience on e.g. F-Droid or Amazon Store on non-Amazon devices.

[shawnz]

They can in Android 12.

[maxclark]

There’s so many potential pitfalls with side loading and alternate app stores

Apple’s behavior is BS and they need to be forced to allow competition

They’ve done it to themselves

[viktorcode]

To be fair, iOS jailbreak scene was the birthplace of many UX innovations. However, since them the capabilities of iOS were expanded and jailbreak lost its popularity.

[fulafel]

F-Droid.

[sschueller]

Like SSL, Apple and Google need to do their part to provide a way for developers to validate an app and prevent clones from being installed instead even if coming from a 3rd party store.

[aeonflux]

It doesn't really work even with one closed AppStore. How that could work if they would be forced to allow 3rd party AppStores? I don't understand this logic. On one hand you want to force Apple to allow 3rd patry stores (and apps). But still you want them to have final word in the approval process?

And SSL validates just the domain name, which still allows all the phishing attacks to thrive. Compare installing App for the first time to coming to some website for the first time ever. SSL doesn't really provide anything to identify the site, anyone can get any domain.

[sschueller]

Like Microsoft allows you to sign your app, there should be a mechanism like this for each OS. I can still install an app if it is not signed but I am being warned.

[warkdarrior]

Why should the app store prevent clones? Clones are just another name for competition. I want the app stores to ensure that the apps are safe, not that they are free of competition.