Apple has discreetly added a location-detection feature called “countryd” in iOS 16.2

9to5Mac reports that Apple has discreetly added a location-detection feature called “countryd” within the iOS 16.2 operating system, potentially identifying whether a user’s location is within the European Union and subsequently determining if side-loading app installation capabilities should be enabled on the device.

Compared to Apple’s previous approach of limiting features for specific regions through coding, which still allowed users to “manually” enable these features by changing the device’s region settings, Apple may now utilize the “countryd” location-detection feature. By leveraging the device’s built-in GPS, Wi-Fi connection information, and user SIM card data, Apple can determine the user’s actual location and enforce the device’s functionality accordingly.

This design may be intended for the forthcoming side-loading installation feature exclusive to the European Union, in compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which permits users to download and install various applications from software marketplaces outside the App Store.

With stricter device location identification, Apple can effectively determine if users are eligible to enable side-loading installation features, thereby preventing individuals from circumventing these restrictions by changing their settings to appear as if they are in an EU country, which could impact App Store usage in various regions.

However, it is uncertain whether the “countryd” feature can be bypassed using VPNs, and since the feature has not yet been activated, it remains unclear whether Apple will implement stricter device location identification to limit specific features in the future.

Although Apple has not yet activated this feature, it may become part of iOS 17’s official capabilities, and further announcements might be made during WWDC 2023.