Did you read the article?
- Epic is not trying to get their 3rd party app in apples app store.
- Epic can't create a 3rd party app store because Apple revoked their developer license. This means any app epic creates can't be sideloaded because it will never be signed by apple.
- Apples new rules require any 3rd party app store to pay apple $0.50 per install (there is no million app install requirement for 3rd party app stores). So apple would still make money off epics app store if they allowed it.
You think switching your number is less complex than using call screen?
That would literally involve changing your number with most major web services you use including your bank BEFORE you get rid of your old number. Better hopr you don't forget one because your not gonna get that sms verification code to log back in.