Apple Disables iOS App Sideloading On M1 Macs

Apple implemented a server-side blocking mechanism last week to prevent M1 Mac users from sideloading iOS apps that are not provided by iOS ...

Apple implemented a server-side blocking mechanism last week to prevent M1 Mac users from sideloading iOS apps that are not provided by iOS app developers, according to 9to5Mac.

It is no longer possible to use a third-party app such as iMazing to obtain the app.IPA files to install on the M1 Mac. This is a workaround that has existed since the launch of the M1 Mac.

Now, trying to use the prior method to side-load an app, the result will be an error saying "This application cannot be installed because the developer did not intend for it to run on this platform."

App developers can choose to run their iPhone and iPad apps on the M1 Mac, but they can also choose not to. Popular apps such as Netflix, Hulu, Instagram choose not to provide their iOS apps on the M1 Mac. Previously, apps such as iMazing or Apple Configurator 2 could be installed, but this situation has become a thing of the past.

iPhone and iPad apps that can be installed on the M1 Mac can only be used on the Mac if they are clearly marked by the developers. Side-loaded apps that have been launched and run through third-party apps can still be used, as this only affects the installation of new apps.

Apple has disabled the sideloading feature on M1 Macs running macOS Big Sur 11.1 and macOS Big Sur 11.2 beta.