Brazil Mandates Apple to Permit Sideloading

Another significant development has chipped away at Apple's tightly controlled ecosystem, with Brazil now mandating that the tech giant allow sideloading on iOS devices. Apple has been given a 90-day window to comply, a decision influenced by similar rulings in other countries that Apple has already adhered to.

Despite this, Apple is poised to appeal the decision. For those unfamiliar, sideloading refers to the practice of downloading and installing apps directly onto a device without using an official app store—a feature Android users have enjoyed for years through the use of APK files.

Apple's resistance to sideloading is well-documented, rooted in concerns over privacy and security. This stance was notably challenged by Epic Games' lawsuit over five years ago, which highlighted the restrictive nature of Apple's app ecosystem.

PeekabooApple's primary argument against the ruling centers on privacy, a recurring theme in their opposition to sideloading and third-party app stores. In 2022, Apple's introduction of App Tracking Transparency (ATT) changes further stirred the gaming industry, requiring developers to seek user permission for advertising and limiting user profiling capabilities—a move that attracted regulatory attention due to Apple's own exemptions.

Nevertheless, the pressure on Apple to open up its platform continues to mount. From Vietnam to the European Union, the era of Apple's exclusive control over its ecosystem appears to be waning.

While Apple navigates these legal challenges, gamers looking for new experiences can explore our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week, featuring exciting releases from the past seven days.