With over 1.5 million apps available in the App Store, it’s easy to find and download new apps on your iPhone. However, there may be times when you want to install an app that is not available on the App Store or sideload an app for development purposes. While you can’t directly download and install .ipa files on an iPhone like you can on Android, there are a few workarounds that allow you to manually install apps on your iOS device.
Why Would You Want to Manually Install Apps?
Here are some common reasons you may want to manually download and install apps on your iPhone:
- To install apps not available on the App Store – Some apps are not publicly released or are restricted in certain regions.
- For beta testing – Developers may want to distribute beta versions to testers outside of TestFlight.
- Enterprise app deployment – Companies can develop internal apps and manually install them on employee devices.
- Jailbreak apps – Jailbreaking allows installing apps Apple wouldn’t normally approve.
- Development and testing – Developers can test their in-progress apps during the creation process.
Can I Install .ipa Files on iPhone?
Unlike Android APK files, you can’t simply download and open .ipa files on an iPhone. iOS uses code signing to verify that apps originate from a trusted source. Downloading and installing an .ipa file directly would bypass Apple’s app security, so you have to jump through some extra hoops.
There are a few different methods you can use to manually install IPA app files on your iPhone:
- Using a signing service
- With Xcode and your free developer account
- Through an MDM (Mobile Device Management) platform
- With Apple Configurator
- On a jailbroken iPhone
The exact steps to manually install an app vary depending on your circumstances. The rest of this guide covers the most common scenarios and tools for sideloading IPA files.
Use a Signing Service
One of the simplest ways to install IPA files is to use a signing service. Signing services will take your IPA file, sign it with a special enterprise certificate, and allow you to install it to your device. Some popular signing services include:
- AppDB
- iOS App Signer
- Signulous
- Signing Service
Here are the general steps to use a signing service to install an IPA file:
- Find and download the IPA file you want to install.
- Upload the IPA file to the signing service’s website.
- The service will process the upload and sign the IPA file.
- Once processed, download the signed IPA file provided.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
- Drag and drop the signed IPA file onto your iTunes library.
- The app should now appear on your iPhone’s home screen!
The main downside of using a signing service is that they usually charge a fee for signing. But it’s a straightforward option if you just need to occasionally sideload an app.
Use Your Free Apple Developer Account
If you enroll in the free Apple Developer Program, you can manually sign and install apps without paying a signing service. Here’s how:
- Download and install Xcode from the Mac App Store.
- Create a free Apple ID developer account at developer.apple.com.
- Accept the Developer Agreement and create your certificate.
- In Xcode, add your new account under Xcode > Preferences > Accounts.
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac and select it as the build target.
- In Xcode, go to Window > Devices and Simulators and select your connected iPhone.
- Drag your IPA file into the Installed Apps section.
- The app will be signed and installed on your iPhone!
This is the best free option for installing IPA files. The only catch is your Apple ID can only be actively signed into three devices at a time. So you’ll need to juggle device registrations if you plan to sign IPAs for more than three iPhones.
Use an MDM Platform
MDM or Mobile Device Management platforms like Mosyle allow enterprises to remotely deploy and manage iOS apps across company-owned devices. If your iPhone is enrolled in your company’s MDM program, the IT administrators can sign and push IPA file installs across all managed devices.
Some consumer MDM services like Apple Configurator also enable IPA installs for personal iPhones. But for individual use, a signing service or free developer account is usually simpler than buying an MDM platform.
Use Apple Configurator
Apple Configurator is a free Mac app designed for IT management of iOS devices. Although mainly intended for business use, Apple Configurator can also install unsigned IPA files on individual iPhones. To use Apple Configurator:
- Download and install Apple Configurator 2 from the Mac App Store.
- Connect your iPhone via USB to your Mac.
- In Apple Configurator, click Add > Devices and select your iPhone.
- Select your connected iPhone under Devices in the sidebar.
- Click Add > Apps in the menu bar.
- Select the IPA file you want to install.
- Choose to install the app on your iPhone and click Apply.
The nice thing about Apple Configurator is it works even without an Apple developer account. The downside is that app installs only last for 7 days before needing to be resigned. So it’s better for one-off app installs rather than permanent sideloading.
Jailbreak Your iPhone
Jailbreaking removes iOS restrictions allowing you to freely install any unsigned IPA files. Jailbreaking methods are constantly being patched by Apple, but some current options include:
- checkra1n – Jailbreak for iOS 12.3 and up using a Mac and USB cable
- unc0ver – IPA-based jailbreak app for iOS 11–14.8
- taurine – For iOS 14.0-14.3
Once jailbroken, you have a few different options to install IPAs:
- Cydia Impactor: A desktop app that resigns and sideloads IPAs via USB
- Apps like Filza: Jailbreak filesystem apps that install IPAs upon download
- Tweaked app stores: Homebrew app stores like Sileo, Zebra, and Cydia with unofficial apps
Jailbreaking gives you the most freedom and control over iOS. But it also carries security risks, can impact performance, and prevents you from updating to the latest iOS versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about manually installing apps on an iPhone:
Does sideloading IPA files void my iPhone’s warranty?
Officially, any unauthorized modifications to iOS violate Apple’s warranty terms. However, there is little risk of Apple detecting or caring about infrequent sideloaded apps. Jailbreaking does increase the chances of warranty invalidation.
Can I install pirated IPA apps?
Sideloading apps is a legal gray area typically used for installing unreleased or specialty apps. Installing pirated IPA files violates copyright and should be avoided.
Do sideloaded apps function fully?
Signed IPA files function just like App Store apps with full access to iOS features and hardware. The only limitation may be app updates since they aren’t handled through the App Store.
Can I uninstall a sideloaded IPA?
Yes, you can delete any sideloaded IPAs the same as default iOS apps by touching and holding the icon until it wiggles then tapping the X. Some apps jailbreakers install persist through deletes and require special uninstallers.
How long do sideloaded IPA certificates last?
Enterprise certificates used to sign IPAs typically last 1 year. Signing service certificates tend to last 3-6 months. Apps signed through your developer account only last 7 days before needing to be resigned.
Conclusion
Sideloading apps on iPhone has some technical hurdles but offers benefits like installing unpublished apps. While Apple makes it challenging, options like signing services, free developer accounts, MDM tools, Apple Configurator, and jailbreaking enable power users to manually install IPAs.
Just be careful to only download IPA files from trusted sources for security and legality. And be aware that unofficial app installs come with some risks like potential instability, loss of warranty, and lack of updates.
