Installing applications on iOS devices through methods other than the official App Store is referred to as “sideloading.” This process involves obtaining and installing an application package file (IPA) directly onto a device, bypassing Apple’s standard review and distribution channels. For example, a developer might distribute a beta version of their application to a limited group of testers via sideloading before its official release on the App Store.
Circumventing the standard application distribution model offers several advantages, including access to applications not approved for the official store due to policy restrictions or niche functionality. Sideloading also provides developers with greater flexibility in testing and distributing applications outside of Apple’s controlled environment. Historically, this practice allowed early adopters and developers to explore innovative features and functionalities before they became mainstream.