Will installing apps outside the App Store really be that dangerous?

The DMA will enter into force at the beginning of March. Until then, Apple has to release iOS 17.4, which will unlock European iPhones for third-party stores (and more), and Apple is trying to create a lot of mistrust around it. But is it in place? 

Apple regularly warns that downloading apps outside of the App Store will be dangerous. But will that really be the case? After all, the system as such works and will work the same way. This means that any app on our iPhone will still run in the sandbox, so it cannot infect the device. Logically, it does not matter if it will be downloaded from the Apple App Store or another store of some developer. 

If you don't know exactly what a sandbox is, it is the name for a security mechanism within digital security that is used to separate running processes. So it gives them limited access to the resources of the host device, in our case the iPhone. Access to storage is also typically limited to selected directories, network access to selected servers, etc. 

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Tyumen, Russia - October 01, 2019: Apple Store at the famous shopping street. chain of retail stores owned and operated by Apple Inc.

Tyumen, Russia-October 01, 2019: Apple store and logo. Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company

Notary check 

So the sandbox is an essential security measure in case something gets caught in the approval process. This is because Apple has applications that can be installed on iPhones from other sources, checked in terms of security with its so-called notary check. It has set several processes that the application will have to go through when it comes to accuracy, functionality, safety, security and privacy. If it doesn't meet something, it won't pass. Apart from automation, the human factor will also be included here.  

What actually comes out of it? Apps downloaded outside the App Store should not be more dangerous than those from the App Store. They may be unfriendly in design, they may have a problem with functionality, but they will not be dangerous. However, if you put your card data in them and lose your finances, that's another matter. In applications outside the App Store, you pay the developer, not Apple. He mediates all payments and complaints through the App Store, so if for some reason you want to return money for an application or game or In-App, you turn to him. For non-App Store apps, you'll go directly to the developer, who can safely ignore you.