How to Install AltStore on iPhone & iPad

Do you want to install some apps to iOS or iPadOS that are not available on the Apple App Store? Perhaps you want an emulator, or a torrent client on your iPhone or iPad? If so, you will need to rely on a third party store called AltStore that lets you sideload apps on to your iPhone and iPad with just your Apple ID.

Apple has some strict guidelines on the apps that can be published to the App Store to ensure the safety and privacy of its users. As a result, iOS and iPadOS users aren’t able to install apps like console emulators, torrent clients, etc to their devices. AltStore aims to be the place for these apps that push the boundaries of Apple’s operating system, and the most interesting part about it is the fact that it requires no jailbreak.

If you’re an advanced user and you’re interested in trying this out on your own iOS or iPadOS device (and you understand the ramifications of installing unsupported third party software onto iPhone or iPad using a manner not supported by Apple), then read on to learn how to install the AltStore onto iPhone and iPad, and how to get apps through it too.

How to Install AltStore on iPhone & iPad

Installation of AltStore is not nearly as easy as installing any other app as we’ll not be using the App Store. Instead, we’ll be using a computer to get this done. Both Mac and Windows are supported. Before you proceed with the steps below, you’ll need to make sure you have iCloud configured on the Mac, or install the iCloud desktop client and iTunes if you’re using a Windows PC.

1. Open the web browser on your computer and head over to altstore.io. Download “AltServer” for the operating system you’re using.
   
   
2. Extract the downloaded file and proceed with the installation. If you haven’t installed iCloud yet or if you downloaded iCloud from Microsoft Store, you’ll get the following message when you run AltStore. Simply click on “Download” to get iCloud quickly.
   
   
3. Next, connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer using the USB cable and open iTunes if you’re on Windows (or Finder on Mac). Click on the device icon to view the Summary page.
   
   
4. Here, scroll down and make sure “Sync with this iPhone over Wi-Fi” is enabled.
   
   
5. When you run AltServer on your computer, no window will open up. However, you’ll find AltServer running in the system tray of your Windows PC. If you’re on Mac, you’ll see the AltServer icon at the top-right corner of the menu bar. Either way, click on the AltStore icon, choose “Install AltStore” from the dropdown menu and click on your iPhone or iPad that’s connected to the computer.
   
   
6. You’ll be prompted to sign in with your Apple account to proceed with the installation. Once you’ve typed in the details, click on “Install”.
   
   
7. AltStore should be installed on to your device in a few seconds. However, you won’t be able to open the app right away as you’ll get an “Untrusted Enterprise Developer” error. To fix this, you’ll need to trust the developer.
   
   
8. Head over to Settings -> General on your iPhone or iPad and tap on “Profiles & Device Management” as shown below.
   
   
9. Next, tap on your own email address that you used for installing AltStore.
   
   
10. Now, tap on “Trust” to proceed further.
    
    
11. When you’re prompted to confirm, tap on “Trust” again. Now you should be able to open AltStore without any issues.
    
    

And there you have it, you’ve installed AltStore onto your iPhone and iPad.

It’s important to note here that your installation of the AltStore is only valid for 7 days unless you’re using a paid Apple developer account that costs $99 annually. You’ll need to reinstall AltStore on to your iPhone or iPad if it expires to keep using it. This 7-day validity applies to apps that were sideloaded using AltStore as well. If AltStore or the installed apps haven’t expired yet, you can connect your device to the computer running AltServer, open the AltStore app, and tap on “Refresh All” under the My Apps section.

As of this writing, Delta and Clip are the only two apps that are listed on AltStore with support for third-party sources expected to arrive soon. You can also sideload apps by selecting the .ipa files from the Files app.

AltStore can currently be used by everyone to run gaming console emulators right on their iPhones and iPad like Super NES, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and more. You’ll just need to download the Delta app from the AltStore. Or, you can install Clip if you’ve always wanted a dedicated clipboard manager on iOS or iPadOS.

Did you get AltStore up and running on your iPhone or iPad? What are your overall thoughts on this alternative App Store? Share any of your own tips, experiences, or thoughts in the comments.