Apple's upcoming iOS 17.4 update, set to meet EU regulatory requirements by March 6, introduces the ability to sideload apps for the first time in compliance with the EU's Digital Markets Act. To prepare for the update, iPhone users are advised to check if their device is compatible, consider updating apps and freeing up space, make backups, ensure access to iCloud password, and charge their device and check connectivity before downloading and installing the update.
The latest iOS 17.2 beta update from Apple includes evidence that sideloading apps may soon be enabled on iPhones, allowing users to download apps from third-party app stores. The code reveals a new public framework called "Managed App Distribution" that includes controls for downloading, installing, and updating apps from external sources. This move is likely a response to new European Union regulations that require big tech companies to open up their services and platforms to other developers and give users the choice of downloading apps from different sources.
Researchers have discovered a new type of Android malware that can evade antivirus apps by using a previously unknown compression method for APKs. The method is undetectable by current security measures, allowing the malware to bypass security as a regular app. However, the good news is that none of the apps using this method have been found on Google's Play Store, meaning users who do not sideload apps are unlikely to be affected. Additional cybersecurity companies have joined the investigation, uncovering that some APKs also use abnormally large filenames that cause analysis tools to crash.
