The App Store, run by Apple, is the primary way that most iPhone, iPad, and Mac users get new apps for their devices. The App Store provides a convenient, centralized place to find, purchase, and download apps. However, it is possible to get apps for your Apple devices without going through the App Store. There are several different methods to accomplish this.
Sideloading Apps
One way to get apps without the App Store is through a process called “sideloading.” Sideloading refers to manually installing app files onto a device, rather than downloading them directly from an app store.
To sideload an app onto an iPhone or iPad you need the .ipa file for the app. This IPA file contains the app code and resources needed to run the app. You can get IPA files directly from some app developers. You’ll also need Apple’s iTunes desktop app installed on a computer to transfer the IPA file to your iOS device.
In iTunes, you can connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer. Then you can drag and drop the IPA file onto the icon for your device in iTunes. This will install the IPA and add the app to your iOS device’s home screen. The app won’t be registered with the App Store though, so it won’t auto-update. You’ll need to sideload an updated IPA file to upgrade the app in the future.
Sideloading used to be commonly used by early iOS app developers before the App Store existed. These days, most casual users get all their apps from the App Store. But sideloading remains a viable option for certain specialty situations, like installing apps still in development, or apps only meant for limited distribution.
Alternative App Stores
Another method of getting apps without the App Store is to use an alternative third-party app store. There are a few different options for these third-party app stores on iOS.
One example is Cydia, which started as the main distribution method for jailbreak apps. Jailbreaking removes some of Apple’s restrictions on iOS devices in order to install unapproved apps and tweaks. Nowadays, jailbreaking is less common as iOS has become more flexible. But Cydia can still be installed on jailbroken devices to get apps Apple wouldn’t normally allow.
There are also a few legal alternative app stores aimed at enterprise users. These include Apple’s own Apple Business Manager store for distributing internal corporate apps. There’s also the SaurikIT store for approved business apps, and Apps4iphone for signed IPA files approved for provisioned enterprise devices.
These enterprise app stores operate within Apple’s iOS Developer Enterprise program rules. They allow companies to distribute apps to their own devices without going through the App Store approval and distribution process. But they still require apps to be properly signed and provisioned for security.
The downside to third-party iOS app stores is that they require taking extra steps beyond just downloading from the App Store. And app selection is much more limited, so they aren’t a practical replacement for most mainstream users.
Web Apps
Modern web browser technology allows web apps that can closely mimic native apps. Web apps run directly in a device’s web browser. They don’t require separate installation or App Store approval processes.
Apple actually encourages web apps as an alternative to native iOS and Mac apps in some cases. For apps that don’t require deep hardware integration or offline use, web apps can provide similar utility. And they are much easier for developers to build and maintain across multiple platforms.
From a user perspective, web apps appear as bookmarks/shortcuts that can be added to the iOS home screen or Mac Dock. Tap to launch them and they open in a standalone browser window without toolbars, just like a native app. Web apps like Twitter or Google Maps provide essentially the full native app experience.
The downside is web apps may have slower performance compared to true native apps. There are also limitations around notifications, offline use, and hardware access. But for apps focused on content consumption and web services, web apps provide a convenient way to get app-like functionality without formal installation.
App Recommendation Sources
While getting apps outside the App Store takes extra effort, there are still ways to discover apps before actually installing them. Many app review sites and app recommendation lists don’t actually host apps for download. But they can guide you to apps you can then find on the App Store or through other methods.
Sites like MacStories, iMore, and AppAdvice offer app reviews and “best of” lists to highlight top iPhone and iPad apps. These sites don’t host the apps themselves but provide curated recommendations of great apps to seek out. App recommendation lists are a good way to discover useful apps you may otherwise miss in the vast App Store.
There are also subreddit communities like /r/iosapps and /r/apple that frequently have discussions and recommendations for great iOS apps, macOS apps, and web apps. Reddit threads have user reviews and perspectives on apps that can complement professional review sites.
YouTube tech channels like iDB, 9to5Mac, and iAppleBytes also showcase new and interesting iOS apps through hands-on video reviews. Watching video demonstrations and previews of apps can help determine if an app is worth downloading to your device.
So while these discovery sources don’t distribute apps directly, they provide valuable guidance for finding great apps that you can then proceed to get from the App Store or your method of choice. Their specialized insight helps surface apps you’ll actually want to use.
App Development Tools
For those interested in creating their own apps, several do-it-yourself app builders allow developing apps for personal use without publishing to the App Store. These tools provide pre-built templates and components for creating simple but functional iOS, Android, and web apps.
Options like Glide Apps, BuildFire, and Appy Pie let you make apps to use privately on your own devices or share with family and friends. Their app building frameworks don’t require coding knowledge or official app store distribution. So while not for commercial app development, these DIY tools allow anyone to create apps for personal entertainment or productivity.
Apple’s Xcode developer tools can also be used to build and test iOS and Mac apps right on your own devices. Xcode does involve coding knowledge. But apps built with Xcode can be deployed to your devices for private use without ever submitting them to the App Store. This requires a paid Apple Developer account but gives full flexibility for personal app projects.
For tinkerers and hobbyists, building your own apps can be an interesting educational project as well as a way to get useful apps outside the normal channels. And some basic app builders make the process relatively approachable for beginners.
Web Clips
One of the simplest ways to mimic an app is by using web clips on iOS. Web clips are essentially just bookmarks that appear as icons on your home screen.
To create a web clip, just visit a website in Safari on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the Share button and select “Add to Home Screen.” This will save an icon to your home screen that opens that web page.
While not full apps, these web clips provide quick one-tap access to favorite web services. They can act as makeshift app shortcuts for things like web-based email, news sites, or social media feeds.
Web clips obviously lack deep integration compared to real web apps or native apps. But they provide a simple and official way to mimic app convenience from websites you visit frequently. They are like premium bookmarks visible on your home screen.
App Recommendation Sources
While getting apps outside the App Store takes extra effort, there are still ways to discover apps before actually installing them. Many app review sites and app recommendation lists don’t actually host apps for download. But they can guide you to apps you can then find on the App Store or through other methods.
Sites like MacStories, iMore, and AppAdvice offer app reviews and “best of” lists to highlight top iPhone and iPad apps. These sites don’t host the apps themselves but provide curated recommendations of great apps to seek out. App recommendation lists are a good way to discover useful apps you may otherwise miss in the vast App Store.
There are also subreddit communities like /r/iosapps and /r/apple that frequently have discussions and recommendations for great iOS apps, macOS apps, and web apps. Reddit threads have user reviews and perspectives on apps that can complement professional review sites.
YouTube tech channels like iDB, 9to5Mac, and iAppleBytes also showcase new and interesting iOS apps through hands-on video reviews. Watching video demonstrations and previews of apps can help determine if an app is worth downloading to your device.
So while these discovery sources don’t distribute apps directly, they provide valuable guidance for finding great apps that you can then proceed to get from the App Store or your method of choice. Their specialized insight helps surface apps you’ll actually want to use.
Developer Enterprise Programs
Apple offers special programs for businesses and organizations to distribute in-house iOS and Mac apps. The Apple Developer Enterprise program allows companies to develop and deploy proprietary apps to their own employees or members.
These enterprise apps don’t go through the normal App Store review process but can be signed and installed on devices for internal use. Enterprise program rules prohibit wider consumer distribution of these apps through unofficial channels.
Educational institutions can also participate in Apple’s Education program to distribute apps to students and teachers. And government agencies can use the Government App Store Program for building and deploying mobile apps within their workforce.
While regular consumers can’t take advantage of these programs, they provide alternative iOS and Mac app distribution options for business environments. Internal apps that access sensitive data or workflows can be deployed outside the public App Store to authorized users.
Jailbroken App Sources
Jailbreaking removes the security restrictions on iOS devices to allow installing unapproved apps and tweaks. Jailbreaking voids an iPhone or iPad’s warranty and has become increasingly rare as Apple has made iOS more flexible. But historically it was popular among enthusiasts for enabling unauthorized app sources.
On a jailbroken device, you can install package managers like Cydia, Sileo, or Zebra to access unofficial app repositories. These sources host apps and extensions Apple wouldn’t normally allow on the App Store.
Sources like BigBoss, ModMyi, and HackYouriPhone served as early app stores for jailbroken iPhones. They offered apps and customizations years before Apple added features like third-party keyboards, App Store search ads, or home screen widgets.
However, jailbreak app sources typically lag far behind the App Store for quantity and quality of apps. And jailbreaking comes with security trade-offs in bypassing Apple’s safeguards. The practice has declined as Apple continues adding more flexibility to iOS without needing to jailbreak.
Direct Downloads
Some apps can be downloaded directly as executable files instead of going through an app store. On Windows and Mac, downloading and opening EXE or DMG app installers is common. This isn’t officially possible on iOS, but there are unofficial workarounds.
Some direct download app sources include:
– TutuApp – A helper tool that installs an unsigned enterprise certificate for sideloading apps on iOS. Offers apps, games, and tweaks not on the App Store.
– AppValley – Similar to TutuApp, provides a way to install unsigned IPA app files from unknown sources. Lots of content unlikely to ever be allowed on the App Store.
– IPA downloads – App files shared directly as IPAs can sometimes be found on forums, Reddit, or file sharing sites. Quality and safety varies widely.
– IgnitionApp – Installer for apps with hacked or patched features unlocked. Offers modified games, apps, and emulators.
These direct download options fall into legal gray areas and can compromise security. But theytap into demand for apps that go beyond what Apple permits in the App Store.
User Recommendations
Word of mouth from family or friends can also lead you to great apps separate from any formal recommendation or distribution channel. Some of the most unique and useful apps come from personal suggestions rather than top charts.
Friends may tell you about an obscure but ingenious app they found, or show you an app built specifically for their workplace. Some of the best niche apps spread through grassroots recommendations between users.
So being open to app suggestions from people you know can lead you to specialized apps you’d never find on your own. Their on-the-ground insights provide personalized app recommendations any mainstream app store algorithm couldn’t match.
Conclusion
While the App Store provides the simplest and safest iOS app distribution, there are still plenty of ways to get apps through other means. Sideloading, web apps, app builders, recommendation channels, and enterprise programs give options beyond the standard App Store.
Each alternate app source comes with trade-offs though, whether requiring extra setup steps, offering narrower selection, or presenting higher security risks. The App Store’s convenience, breadth of apps, and curation are hard to replicate through unofficial channels.
But power users, companies, or anyone with specialized needs have possibilities beyond the App Store. Just understand that venturing outside the App Store introduces more complexity and less oversight around app quality and security. Ultimately the App Store still provides the best overall experience for most everyday iOS and Mac users. But with some extra effort, you can expand your app options further.
