If this is your first time sideloading, you will be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password to authorize the installation.
Free Apple developer accounts are strictly limited to having three active sideloaded apps on a device at one time. AltStore itself counts as one of these three apps. Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting
Open Finder , select your device from the sidebar, and check the box that says "Show this [device] when on Wi-Fi." Click Apply.
Once AltStore is on your device, your phone will still block it from opening. how to install ipa file using altstore
He ran the installer, and a small, diamond-shaped icon appeared in his menu bar. It sat there, quietly waiting for his command. But Leo knew the bridge wasn't complete yet. For Windows, he needed the specialized tools: the direct versions of iTunes and iCloud, downloaded straight from Apple, not the restrictive versions found in the Microsoft Store. He installed them both and logged into iCloud, ensuring the digital pathways were open. 📱 Step 2: Forging the Connection
The actual signing and installation are handled by a desktop companion called . Once you install AltStore on your iOS device, AltServer runs in the background on your Mac or PC. As long as your phone and computer are on the same Wi‑Fi network (or connected by USB), AltStore can communicate with AltServer to install new apps, refresh expiring certificates, and activate or deactivate sideloaded apps.
If your device is running iOS 14.0 to 15.6.1 , TrollStore uses a CoreTrust bypass to install unsigned IPAs permanently. No certificates, no expiration, no 7‑day refresh — once installed, the app stays forever. However, this only works on older iOS versions, and no support exists for newer firmware. If this is your first time sideloading, you
If you need more than three apps simultaneously, AltStore provides a workaround called . You can deactivate a sideloaded app: AltStore backs up its data and removes the app from your device, freeing up one of your three slots. Later, you can reactivate the app — your data is restored, and the app appears again. This is perfect if you occasionally use more than two extra apps but don’t need them all running at the same time.
You can use your personal Apple ID or create a secondary "burner" Apple ID specifically for sideloading if you have privacy concerns.
: Locate the IPA file you wish to install using Safari on your iOS device. Import to AltStore : Open the AltStore app on your iPhone. Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting Open Finder
Leo stared at his iPhone. On the screen was a gray icon with the word "Waiting..." underneath it. The App Store had rejected his favorite retro game emulator again. "There has to be another way," he muttered.
How to Install IPA Files Using AltStore AltStore is a popular alternative app marketplace for iOS that allows you to sideload applications (IPA files) without a jailbreak. By using your own Apple ID to sign apps, AltStore bypasses the need for enterprise certificates that are often revoked by Apple. Prerequisites Before you begin, ensure you have the following:
your certificates are valid for one year instead of seven days. You can also install up to 10 apps simultaneously, rather than the free account’s limit of three. The refresh process remains the same, but you’ll only need to do it once a year.