how-to-sideload-apps-ios-2025

Everything you need to know about installing apps outside the App Store using AltStore, SideStore, Sideloadly, and TrollStore.

What is Sideloading?

Sideloading is the process of installing applications on your iOS device outside of the official Apple App Store. Unlike Android, where you can simply download and install APK files, iOS requires special tools and methods to install apps that aren't available on the App Store.

People sideload apps for various reasons:

Emulators - Play retro games from consoles like Game Boy, PlayStation, and Nintendo DS
Tweaked Apps - Modified versions of popular apps with additional features
Apps Removed from App Store - Like Fortnite or apps banned by Apple
Development & Testing - Test apps before App Store submission
Region-Locked Apps - Access apps not available in your country

Good to Know: Sideloading does NOT require jailbreaking your device. All methods described in this guide work on stock iOS.

Sideloading Methods Compared

| Feature | AltStore | SideStore | Sideloadly | TrollStore | |---------|----------|-----------|------------|------------| | Requires Computer | For refresh | Initial only | Yes | Initial only | | App Limit (Free) | 3 apps | 3 apps | 3 apps | Unlimited | | Refresh Needed | Every 7 days | Every 7 days | Every 7 days | Never | | iOS Support | iOS 14-18+ | iOS 14-18+ | iOS 14-18+ | iOS 14-17.0 | | Ease of Use | Easy | Medium | Easy | Medium | | Best For | Beginners | No-PC users | Quick installs | Permanent apps |

Method 1: AltStore

AltStore is the most popular and beginner-friendly sideloading tool. Created by Riley Testut, it has over 1.5 million downloads and is considered the gold standard for iOS sideloading.

Requirements

iPhone or iPad running iOS 14.0 or later
Windows PC or Mac computer
Apple ID (free is fine)
iTunes installed (Windows) or Finder (Mac)
Same Wi-Fi network for computer and device

Installation Steps

Download AltServer - Go to altstore.io and download AltServer for your computer (Windows or macOS).
Install AltServer - Run the installer and follow the prompts. On Windows, you may need to install iCloud from Apple's website (not Microsoft Store version).
Connect Your Device - Connect your iPhone/iPad to your computer using a USB cable. Trust the computer when prompted on your device.
Install AltStore - On Windows: Click the AltServer icon in the system tray → Install AltStore → Select your device. On Mac: Click AltServer in the menu bar → Install AltStore → Select your device.
Enter Apple ID - Enter your Apple ID credentials. These are only sent to Apple's servers to sign the app.
Trust the Profile - On your iOS device, go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management → Tap your Apple ID → Trust.
Start Using AltStore - Open AltStore on your device. You can now browse and install apps from various sources!

Adding Sources to AltStore

AltStore supports custom sources (repositories) that contain apps. To add a source:

Open AltStore and go to the "Browse" tab
Tap "Sources" in the top left
Tap the "+" button
Enter the source URL and tap "Add"

Refreshing Apps

Apps signed with a free Apple ID expire after 7 days. AltStore can automatically refresh them if:

Your computer is on and AltServer is running
Both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network
Background App Refresh is enabled for AltStore

Pro Tip: Enable "Refresh All on Background" in AltStore settings to automatically refresh apps when connected to the same Wi-Fi as your computer.

Method 2: SideStore

SideStore is a community-driven fork of AltStore that doesn't require a computer after the initial setup. It uses a custom VPN configuration to refresh apps directly on your device.

Key Advantages

No computer needed after initial installation
Refresh apps anywhere with just Wi-Fi
Community-maintained and open source
Same 3-app limit as AltStore (free Apple ID)

Requirements

iPhone or iPad running iOS 14.0 or later
Computer (Windows/Mac/Linux) for initial setup only
Apple ID
WireGuard app (free on App Store)

Installation Steps

Install WireGuard - Download WireGuard from the App Store on your iOS device. This is required for the on-device refresh feature.
Download SideServer - Go to sidestore.io and download SideServer for your computer.
Install SideStore - Run SideServer on your computer, connect your iOS device via USB, and install SideStore to your device.
Configure WireGuard - Open SideStore and follow the prompts to set up the WireGuard VPN configuration. This enables on-device refreshing.
Enable the VPN - Turn on the SideStore VPN in WireGuard when you need to refresh apps. You can turn it off when not in use.

Note: The WireGuard VPN is only used for communicating with Apple's signing servers. It doesn't route your internet traffic through any third-party servers.

Method 3: Sideloadly

Sideloadly is a straightforward tool for installing IPA files directly to your device. It's perfect for quick, one-off installations when you already have the IPA file.

Key Features

Simple drag-and-drop interface
Works with any IPA file
Supports both Windows and macOS
No app store interface - just IPA installation
Advanced options for power users

Installation Steps

Download Sideloadly - Go to sideloadly.io and download the app for your operating system.
Install Sideloadly - Install the application. On Windows, make sure iTunes is installed (Apple's version, not Microsoft Store).
Connect Your Device - Connect your iPhone/iPad via USB cable and trust the computer.
Select IPA File - Drag and drop an IPA file onto Sideloadly, or click to browse and select the file.
Enter Apple ID - Enter your Apple ID email and click "Start". Enter your password when prompted.
Trust the Profile - After installation, go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management → Trust the developer profile.

Remember: Apps installed via Sideloadly also expire after 7 days with a free Apple ID. You'll need to re-sideload them when they expire.

Method 4: TrollStore

TrollStore is the holy grail of sideloading - it allows you to install apps permanently without any 7-day expiration or app limits. However, it only works on specific iOS versions.

Supported iOS Versions

| iOS Version | Status | Installation Method | |-------------|--------|---------------------| | iOS 14.0 - 14.8.1 | Supported | TrollInstallerX | | iOS 15.0 - 15.4.1 | Supported | TrollHelperOTA | | iOS 15.5 - 15.8.3 | Supported | TrollInstallerMDC | | iOS 16.0 - 16.6.1 | Supported | TrollInstallerMDC | | iOS 16.7+ | Not Supported | - | | iOS 17.0 | Supported | TrollRestore | | iOS 17.0.1+ | Not Supported | - | | iOS 18+ | Not Supported | - |

Important: iOS 17.0.1 and later will NEVER be supported. Apple patched the CoreTrust vulnerability that TrollStore relies on. Any website claiming TrollStore works on iOS 17.0.1+ or iOS 18 is a scam.

TrollStore Benefits

Permanent Installation - Apps never expire
No App Limit - Install unlimited apps
No Computer Needed - After initial install
URL Scheme Support - Install IPAs from Safari
Tweak Injection - Can inject tweaks into App Store apps

For detailed TrollStore installation instructions, see our complete TrollStore guide.

Limitations & Requirements

Free Apple ID Limitations

3 App Limit - You can only have 3 sideloaded apps at a time
7-Day Expiration - Apps must be refreshed weekly
10 App IDs per Week - You can only create 10 new app signatures per week

Paid Developer Account ($99/year)

No app limit
Apps last 1 year instead of 7 days
More App ID creation allowance
Required for some advanced features

What You Can Sideload

✅ Emulators (Delta, PPSSPP, RetroArch)
✅ Tweaked apps (Spotify++, YouTube++, etc.)
✅ Apps removed from App Store
✅ Apps from other countries
✅ Development/beta versions of apps
❌ Apps requiring entitlements you don't have

Troubleshooting Common Issues

App Won't Install

Check iOS version - Some apps require minimum iOS versions
Free storage - Ensure you have enough space
Trust profile - Go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management
Try different Apple ID - Your Apple ID might be flagged

App Crashes on Launch

Trust the developer - Check VPN & Device Management settings
Re-sideload - The IPA file might be corrupted
Check compatibility - App might not support your iOS version

AltStore Won't Refresh

Same Wi-Fi - Computer and phone must be on same network
AltServer running - Check if AltServer is active on your computer
Firewall - Allow AltServer through your firewall
Restart both - Restart AltServer and AltStore

"Your Apple ID has been Locked"

Don't panic - this is usually temporary
Go to iforgot.apple.com to unlock
Consider using a secondary Apple ID for sideloading
Avoid creating too many app IDs in a short time

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sideloading safe?

Sideloading itself is safe when using trusted tools like AltStore, SideStore, and Sideloadly. However, the safety of individual apps depends on their source. Always download IPAs from reputable sources and check for community feedback.

Will sideloading void my warranty?

No. Sideloading does not modify the iOS system and can be completely removed by deleting the apps. It's different from jailbreaking.

Can Apple detect sideloaded apps?

Apple can see which apps are installed via MDM profiles, but they don't actively scan or ban users for sideloading. Your apps are signed with your Apple ID, so they're legitimate from Apple's perspective.

Why do apps expire after 7 days?

Apple limits free developer certificates to 7-day validity as a security measure. This prevents mass distribution of unsigned apps. Paid developer accounts get 1-year certificates.

Can I sideload on iOS 18?

Yes! AltStore, SideStore, and Sideloadly all work on iOS 18. TrollStore does NOT work on iOS 18.

What's the best method for beginners?

AltStore is recommended for beginners. It's the most user-friendly, well-documented, and has the largest community support.