Apple’s policy to not allow sideloading and third-party app stores on its platforms has always been controversial, but the EU’s Digital Markets Act may force the company to open up its ecosystem to allow sideloading and third-party stores for installing apps.
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Sideloading allows you to download and install apps from third-party sources and is one of the biggest reasons some people prefer Android to iOS.
However, since the release of iOS 13 in 2019, it has been possible to sideload apps on your iOS/iPadOS devices, albeit with some limitations.
What Is Sideloading?
Sideloading is the process of installing an application on a mobile device from a source other than the official app store. This can be done by downloading the app from a third-party app store or a website and installing it manually.
There are many reasons why you may want to sideload apps. For example, you can install an older version of an iOS app that’s not available anymore or install emulators that are not allowed on the App Store. Additionally, sideloading gives you more control over your device as you can strictly control the sources from where you are installing apps.
Why You Need a Third-Party App Store Like AltStore
AltStore is a free app store that allows you to sideload apps on your iPhone or iPad without jailbreaking them. It’s a trusted source for sideloading apps, and it offers a wide variety of apps, including emulators, virtual machine software, and other apps that might not be available on the App Store.
You can also sideload apps from your own sources using an IPA file, which is the file format in which iOS/iPadOS apps are packaged.
AltStore compiles apps on your device locally and signs them using your Apple ID certificate as if you developed them yourself. But there are also some restrictions with AltStore; for example, you can only install up to five apps at a time unless you have a paid Apple developer account that costs $99 annually.
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How to Install AltStore on Your iPhone or iPad
You can follow these steps to install AltStore on your iOS or iPadOS device:
- Download and install AltServer on your Mac or PC.
- Connect your device to your computer via a Lightning cable that supports data transfer.
- Enable Wi-Fi sync in iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina or later).
- Launch AltServer on your computer and click Install AltStore > iPhone (or iPad) from the app’s icon in the macOS menu bar or the system tray in Windows.
- AltServer will ask you to enter your Apple ID credentials to authenticate your account with Apple. If you’re privacy conscious, you can create a burner account for this purpose.
- If you’re on a Mac, AltServer will prompt you to install the Mail plug-in. Enter your Mac’s password when prompted. To enable it, go to Mail > Settings from the menu bar and click Manage Plug-ins at the bottom of the window. Then, check the box next to AltPlugin.mailbundle.
- On your iPhone or iPad, navigate to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, select your Apple ID, and tap Trust to allow AltStore to run on your device.
AltStore will now appear on the Home Screen. Tap on it to launch the app.
How to Install Apps From AltStore’s Sources
Upon opening AltStore, you can install apps from trusted sources by following these steps:
- Under the Browse section, tap Sources in the top-right corner.
- Tap ADD next to all the sources here to get access to all the apps approved by AltStore.
- You can now download and install any app of your choice by heading to the Browse section of the app.
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After installation, you’ll be able to find the app on your Home Screen or in the My Apps section of the AltStore app.
How to Install IPA Files Using AltStore
Installing apps only from AltStore’s repositories can become a bit restrictive. Thus, AltStore also allows you to sideload your own IPA files, which can be downloaded and installed from the internet by following these steps:
When downloading IPA files, it’s important to make sure they’re from a trusted source. Since you’re bypassing the App Store’s and AltStore’s security provisions, you can accidentally install malware if you’re not careful.
- Download your IPA file from a trusted source using Safari or any other browser and save it somewhere on your device using the Files app.
- Navigate to the My Apps section in AltStore.
- Tap the plus (+) icon in the top-left corner, which will open the Files app on your device.
- Browse and select the IPA file you want to install.
- When prompted, enter your Apple ID credentials.
After a few seconds, the app will now appear on your Home Screen.
Break Free From the Restrictions of the App Store
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Sideloading is a great way to get apps that are not available on the App Store and gives you more freedom in terms of app variety. You can sideload emulators, which allow you to play classic games from other platforms on your iPhone.
You can also sideload apps that have been modified or customized, which can give you additional features or functionality. So, make the most of AltStore and install apps you couldn’t before.
