[andrewla]

The problem is that if the sideloading avenue exists, what do you do when your bank says "from now on use our sideloaded app instead of the app store version"? Or when whatsapp (or telegram, or whatever) does this.

The App Store is a forcing function for app developers, because it's the only way to reach IOS customers. Without that forcing function, some app developers will circumvent, and if a critical mass does it, then you no longer have the option of opting out.

Apple can presumably make the warnings scary enough to make app developers reluctant to leave, but alternative less restrictive app stores and big-name developers will lobby to have those warnings removed for being deceptive.

[nerdawson]

That’s an interesting point.

If some game announced you could only get it through an alternative app store, I wouldn’t play that game.

Banking is critical functionality on the other hand. Under those circumstances, I’d change banks. The likelihood of any major bank attempting that seems awfully low and I’m sure it’d attract the widespread condemnation it deserves.

Android has sideloading. I don’t doubt some apps try to push users to an alternative marketplace but important everyday apps are where you’d expect them to be.

[Andrew_nenakhov]

And what do you do when your bank says "Apple no longer allows us to put our app on the Appstore"? This is not a hypothetical question but an issue millions of users are dealing with every day.

Apple should not have that kind of power over owners of the devices Apple manufactures.