Apple seems to be sideloading iOS apps on ARM Macs a thorn in the side: Code in the latest pre-release version of macOS Big Sur 11. 2 indicates that Apple wants to block a popular workaround that has so far made it possible to install iPhone and iPad apps on Macs whose developers have objected to Apple making their software available under macOS.

New warning notice In interfaces around DRM functions of the operating system is in the beta 2 from macOS 11. 2 apparently new code to be found: An added warning informs that an app cannot be installed because “the Developer did not plan to run on this platform “as 9to5Mac quoted from the code. It is currently in beta 2 of macOS 11. 2, however, it is still possible to sideload any iOS apps on the Mac.

For the first time, iOS apps can be run natively on Macs with Apple’s M1 chip. You can download it directly from Apple’s Mac App Store, but the programs only appear there if the developer does not object. It has long been suspected that Apple wants to intervene, so far there has been no concrete announcement.

Many iOS apps are missing in the Mac App Store Many major app providers and services have blocked their apps for macOS, including Instagram, Netflix and Gmail. Often there are good reasons for this, after all, these iOS versions are in no way adapted for Macs and may be difficult to use with the mouse and keyboard, may not work properly or may simply crash.

For a variety of reasons, other app providers may prefer their services to be used in the browser on Macs. However, it can be advantageous for the user to use an iOS app on the Mac if it offers certain advantages – be it the possibility of downloading videos or maps for offline use or simply a user interface that is opposite preferred for the web app.

The first buyers of the M1 Macs quickly discovered last November that apps had already been downloaded onto iPhones and iPads can be easily installed and executed as .ipa files on the ARM Macs. Extracting the .ipa files is possible with the help of tools like iMazing.

(lbe)