Another brick in Apple's walled garden has been thoroughly kicked out, as Brazil is the latest country to demand that the iOS giant opens up to sideloading on its devices. Apple now has a 90-day window to comply, following a court order that highlights their previous compliance with similar rulings in other countries.

As expected, Apple plans to appeal the decision. For those unfamiliar, sideloading refers to the ability to download and install apps without using a conventional app store. Android users have enjoyed this feature for years, utilizing APKs to install third-party apps directly onto their phones.

Apple has historically been staunchly opposed to sideloading, much like their resistance to third-party storefronts. The issue gained significant attention following Epic's lawsuit against Apple over five years ago, which spotlighted the tech giant's approach to curating its ecosystem.

Apple's primary argument against the ruling remains centered on privacy concerns. This has been a key sticking point for sideloading, third-party storefronts, and other related issues. In 2022, Apple's ATT changes shook up the gaming world by requiring developers to request permission for advertising and reducing the ability to assign user profiles, drawing regulatory scrutiny for their own exemptions.

Despite these privacy-focused efforts, Apple continues to face challenges and appears to be fighting a losing battle against sideloading, third-party storefronts, and other changes. In countries like Vietnam and the broader EU, the era of Apple's tightly controlled ecosystem seems to be drawing to a close.

While Apple may appeal, the trend suggests a shift towards more open platforms. If you're more interested in exploring new mobile games, why not check out our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week for some exciting launches from the last seven days?