Sideloading is a term used mostly on the Internet, similar to "upload" and "download", but in reference to the process of transferring files between two local devices, in particular between a computer and a mobile device such as a mobile phone, smartphone, PDA, tablet, portable media player or e-reader.
Sideloading typically refers to media file transfer to a mobile device via USB, Bluetooth, WiFi or by writing to a memory card for insertion into the mobile device.
When referring to Android apps, "sideloading" typically means installing an application package in APK format onto an Android device. Such packages are usually downloaded from websites other than Google play, usually through a computer. For Android users sideloading of apps is only possible if the user has allowed "Unknown Sources" in their Security Settings.
When referring to iOS apps, "sideloading" means installing an app in IPA format onto an Apple Device, usually through the use of a computer program such as Cydia Impactor, Xcode, on the actual device using a Jailbreak method or using a signing service instead of through Apple's App Store. On modern versions of iOS, the sources of the apps must be trusted by both Apple and the user in "profiles and device management" in settings; except when using jailbreak methods of sideloading apps.
Advantages
There are no wireless data charges. Sideloading delivery does not involve a wireless carrier.
Content can be optimized for each mobile device. As there are no mobile network restrictions, content can be tailored for each device. This is more important for video playback, where the lowest common denominator is often a limiting factor on wireless networks.
There are no geographic limitations on the delivery of content for sideloading as are implicit in the limited coverage of wireless networks.
There are no restrictions on what content can be sideloaded. Users may sideload video, e-books, or software which is restricted or banned in their country, including material expressing unpopular or illegal opinions, and, of course, pornography.
The content is not streamed, and can be permanently stored in the mobile device. It can be listened to or watched at the user’s convenience.
Side-loading is an excellent mechanism for proximity marketing.
Disadvantages
Streaming media is sometimes preferred to downloading due to limited storage. Content providers limit content available to download and side-load due to their loss of control over it.
There are huge variations in performance capability for mobile devices that can make use of sideloading, from simple mobile phones with limited video playback, to high-end portable media players. Unless the audio/video file is encoded with the target device in mind, playback may not be possible.
Some wireless carriers (most notably Verizon Wireless) require that handset manufacturers limit the sideload capabilities of devices on their networks as a form of vendor lock-in. This usually results in the loss of USB and Bluetooth as sideload options (though memory card transfer is still available).
Methods
Bluetooth sideloading
Bluetooth’s OBEX/OPP profiles allow for file transfer between a PC and a mobile device. Using this option is slightly more complicated than using a USB connection as the two devices have to be paired first. Also, unlike the familiar drag and drop that is usually available via USB, Bluetooth implementation is specific to the Bluetooth transceiver and drivers being used. Files that are sideloaded to mobile devices via Bluetooth are often received as messages, in the same way that SMS texts would be received. While these files can be saved to any storage medium, their initial location is the handset’s internal memory. As such the limitations of the internal memory have to be taken into account before beginning the sideload.
Memory card sideloading
Sideloading via a memory card requires that the user have access to a memory card writer. This should not be a problem as memory card reader/writers can often be purchased in a computer store for under USD$10, or purchased online for $5 or less. Audio and video files can be written directly to the memory card and then inserted into the mobile device. This is potentially the quickest way of sideloading several files at once, as long as the user knows where to put the media files.
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