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Is it possible to allow sideloading and keep users safe?

(shkspr.mobi)
205 points ColinWright | 2 comments | 30 Aug 25 12:03 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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m463 ◴[31 Aug 25 05:39 UTC] No.45080628[source]▶
"sideloading" connotates something that is negative.

On systems before apple's locked-down iphone, it was just called "installing".

The PC revolution started with people just inserting their software into the comptuer and running it. You didn't have to ask the computer manufacturer or the OS vendor permission to do it.

And note that apple doesn't allow you to protect yourself. You cannot install a firewall and block arbitrary software on your phone. For example, you can not block apple telemetry.

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gblargg ◴[31 Aug 25 07:01 UTC] No.45080995[source]▶
Sideloading sounds like sidestepping (synonyms: circumventing, avoiding, evading, bypassing, ignoring, dodging, escaping, skirting). I wonder if the term originated on iOS, where you did have to circumvent things to install programs manually.
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1. toast0 ◴[31 Aug 25 11:42 UTC] No.45082425[source]▶
Probably on the N-Gage, where you did would side-talk and so side-loading was the next thing to do :p

But the terminology did seem to spring up with iOS. It makes sense to call it that there. But on a platform that allows it, it's just installing.

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2. extra88 ◴[31 Aug 25 14:33 UTC] No.45083434[source]▶
I think side-loading is meant to be a third option between downloading and uploading. I think it was installation from a flash drive/card connected to the device.