Sideloading

Sideloading is the practice of installing an application on a device by downloading and running the installation file directly — bypassing the official app store (Google Play, Apple App Store). On Android, this typically means installing an APK file from a website. On iOS, it's significantly more restricted — Apple has historically required special developer certificates or Enterprise distribution, though EU regulations now require Apple to permit third-party app stores in Europe.

What it means

Sideloading is the user's assertion of control over their own device — a form of digital sovereignty at the device level. App stores have used their gatekeeping role to remove apps for political, ideological, or business reasons that have nothing to do with malware or fraud. Sideloading bypasses that gate.

Apple has aggressively lobbied against mandatory sideloading, framing it as a security issue. Security researchers have challenged this framing, noting that Android — which permits sideloading — doesn't have meaningfully worse malware problems than iOS, and that Apple's security argument conveniently aligns with its 30% App Store commission business model.

How it works on Gab

Gab is not distributed as a native Android APK. After removal from the app stores, Gab made mobile access available through a Progressive Web App (PWA) — installable from gab.com in Safari on iPhone or Chrome on Android. This bypasses app store gatekeeping without requiring sideloading.

Related terms

APK is the file format for sideloaded Android apps. App store censorship is the reason sideloading and PWAs matter for free speech platforms. PWAs are Gab's web-based mobile solution.