Another brick in Apple's walled garden has been thoroughly dislodged, as Brazil becomes the latest country to demand that the iOS giant allow sideloading on its devices. Apple now has a 90-day window to comply with this court order, reflecting similar mandates they've already adhered to in other countries.

Unsurprisingly, Apple plans to appeal the ruling. For those unfamiliar, sideloading refers to the ability to download and install apps directly onto a device, bypassing conventional app stores. Android users have enjoyed this feature for years through the use of APKs, enabling the installation of third-party apps.

Apple has historically resisted sideloading and third-party app stores, citing privacy concerns as a primary reason. This stance was thrust into the spotlight following Epic's lawsuit against Apple over five years ago, which challenged the tech giant's tightly controlled ecosystem.

PeekabooApple's main argument against the ruling hinges on privacy, a recurring theme in their opposition to sideloading, third-party storefronts, and similar initiatives. In 2022, Apple's ATT (App Tracking Transparency) changes stirred the gaming industry by requiring developers to seek user permission for advertising and limiting user profiling capabilities, drawing regulatory scrutiny for Apple's self-exemption.

Despite these privacy-focused efforts, Apple continues to face challenges and appears to be on the losing side of the battle against sideloading, third-party storefronts, and other changes. In regions like Vietnam and the broader EU, the era of Apple's exclusive control over its ecosystem seems to be waning.

While Apple contends with these issues, if you're eager to explore new gaming options, be sure to check out our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week, showcasing exciting releases from the past seven days.