Everyone knows that you can install applications on your iPhone or iPad only through the Apple store. Other options are associated only with jailbreak or wild crutches.
There is another completely legal option - signing and installing programs via Xcode. This way, application developers can test the games or programs they write on the iPhone.
Developer Ryle Testut came up with a rather original way to install applications called AltStore . The utility simulates the work of Xcode and iOS will think that you are a developer testing your utilities on a smartphone. This method allows you to install almost any program and game bypassing the App Store with minor restrictions.
The utility is used in some jailbreak installation instructions, but it is needed solely for downloading programs onto the iPhone, which in turn hack the system.
The latest update to the utility added support for iOS 14. You can use the service on any current smartphone, even on the new iPhone 12 after they start selling.
Why is AltStore needed?
This service allows you to install almost any application on your smartphone that, for some reason, is not in the App Store. The installed program or game must support the current version of iOS, but in most cases it will be possible to launch even applications whose development was abandoned back in the days of iOS 9-10.
This way you can download, for example, the iTransmission to download any files from the network without using a computer. Those who want to record phone conversations can download Call Recorder or its equivalent Audio Recorder .
Many programs from the jailbreak world are suitable, they work as a stand-alone application and do not change system files. AltStore developers themselves offer to install useful and unusual programs. For example, an advanced clipboard is now available on iOS with a history of copied data and quick pasting of data.
If you want, you can install on your iPhone your old favorite game that is no longer in the Apple store like Flappy Bird, Colin McRae Rally, Contra, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Dead Space, Plants vs Zombie without donation, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within or even legendary Heroes .
For many, with this option, the most compelling reasons to jailbreak their device will no longer exist.
All this works stably and clearly even on the most current version of iOS.
Old version of the program
How to download the old version of the application on iPhone? It happens that users do not like the updated application, or they are more accustomed to the old version. Then you have to look for options for downloading older versions. Everything would be simple if we were talking about Androd, but we need to find old versions of the application on the iPhone. This is more difficult to do, but it is possible.
To do this, you will have to use the old version of the iOS operating system. Then the applications in the AppStore will also only be those that are supported by its version.
How to Install AltStore on iPhone
The procedure is quite simple and safe, but we will warn you, according to tradition:
The editors are not responsible for the performance of your iOS devices. You do all the described actions at your own peril and risk.
1. Download AltServer for macOS or Windows from the utility's official website.
2. Install the app on Windows or move it to the Applications folder on macOS.
3. After launching the utility on your computer, you will see an icon in the status bar or menu bar.
4. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a cable, unlock your smartphone and, if necessary, issue a trust permission.
5. In iTunes or Finder (in macOS Catalina and later), allow connecting to your iPhone via Wi-Fi, this will come in handy later.
6. For the initial installation, you will need to install a special plugin for the macOS email client (installation instructions and a link are on the developers’ website).
7. In the application menu on your computer, select the Install AltStore section and select the connected smartphone.
8. Enter the Apple ID and password for your Apple account.
Don't worry, the data is not sent anywhere and is used solely to sign the installed application on the iPhone. In any case, two-factor authentication is used to protect your account. You can even create a new Apple ID account so that you can sleep peacefully after the manipulations done.
9. In a couple of minutes you will see a new icon on the iPhone desktop.
10. On your smartphone, go to Settings - General - Device Management, here you will see the certificate of your Apple ID account. Give it trust permissions so that the application can run.
11. Open the program and wait until the necessary data is downloaded.
All! You have just installed an alternative application installer on your smartphone, which allows you to deploy any *.ipa file on your iPhone. To resolve any problems, please read the FAQ on the developers' website.
Method No. 1: if you previously installed an application that is no longer available from the App Store
If you previously installed an application on your iPhone or iPad that was inaccessible due to blocking, you can download it again from the purchase list. To do this, follow these steps:
- Launch the App Store and click on your profile icon.
- Select "Purchases" and find the application you need to download again. If necessary, use the search by title.
This method works if the application is not removed from the entire App Store, but only from the store in a specific region.
What to do next
All that remains to be done is to find the necessary program in ipa format and download it to the iPhone.
The installation file will be saved in the Files application, and through the Share menu it can be transferred to AltStore. The utility will install the application on its own.
There are certain restrictions on the programs that can be installed.
First, you can install apps with the same Apple ID on only one device at a time. When installing programs on another device, the applications on the first one will stop working.
Secondly, there is a limit on installing only two applications through AltStore. To install the third, you will have to remove the first or second.
Thirdly, the certificate is valid for only 7 days, after which the programs will need to be re-signed.
However, there is nothing wrong with that. AltStore can independently re-sign applications without the need to connect the smartphone to the computer.
For this, he needs our Apple ID/password. The utility can remind you of the need to re-sign the program in a week, it is possible to create a quick command that will update the signature with one click, or even display a widget on the desktop with the number of days until the certificate expires.
Apple mobile application developers who have a valid certificate can install up to 10 applications, and do not have to re-sign the programs every 7 days.
The installation procedure is as follows:
1. Download any ipa file to iPhone. You can find and download directly in Safari or transfer to your device via AirDrop.
2. Using the Share menu, open the program in AltStore.
3. We agree to install the application and wait a couple of minutes.
To install the program, the iPhone must be on the same network as the computer running AltServer. This is why we allowed connection to a smartphone via Wi-Fi.
All installed applications are removed in the standard way; for final removal, do not forget to clean the certificate along the path Settings - General - Device management.
Tips for iPhone users
If you want to install an old version of software on new iPhone models, then it’s better not to risk it. In this case, it is advisable to contact a specialist repair service for these smartphones. Because the likelihood is too high that you, without knowing all the installation nuances, will simply mess up all the existing settings. As a result, you may lose all the data stored on your iPhone.
If you still decide, then in brief the algorithm is as follows. You need to create a backup of your iOS system yourself. Then try to install the old version of iOS through iTunes and synchronization. That is, you need to completely uninstall the new version and install the old one. Then restore the backup copy of the new system that was saved, without losing the downloaded application of the old version.
It’s better not to take risks in this matter, especially for beginners who have only recently bought an iPhone. Because a software problem caused by your actions will not be considered a warranty case. Then you will have to spend money on restoring the system and stabilizing the operation of the gadget.
Registration of the certificate
The certificate is a pair of asymmetric encryption keys: private and public. The private key is needed to generate a digital signature during the build process, since XCode generates a digital signature based on the private key data. You can verify the signature using a public key, which is available to both the developer and the Apple company that issued the certificate.
The certificate only needs to be created once. One certificate is enough to publish an unlimited number of applications.
To create a certificate, you need to go to developer.apple.com. Then go to the “Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles” section.
Click on the plus next to “Certificates” at the top right of the screen.
Select the App Store and Ad Hoc certificate type in the “Software” section and click “Continue”.
Click on “Learn more” and follow the instructions provided to form “Create a certificate signing request”. Then return to the previous step and click “Choose File”.
Next, upload the generated document to the portal.
Save the generated certificate to your computer and open the document by double-clicking. The certificate will be placed in the system storage and available to XCode.
Uploading a file to a specific application
It often happens that a file needs to be loaded into a specific application for subsequent work with it. In this case, it is not at all necessary to use a file manager.
You should upload a file to the application only after you are sure that it supports this format and can work with it. Uploading a file to the application will be easy, to do this, follow our instructions:
- Open your browser to the page from which you plan to download the file.
- Click on the download key and a new window will appear. Click on More and select the application into which you want to download the file.
- Wait for the file to download and open it.
Content
Creating an App Store account Registering an Apple ID Creating a developer account DUNS number
Registration of a certificate Publishing an application
Application name Keywords Advertising text Description Privacy policy Icon Screenshots App Store requirements for screenshots
Video Copyright Notes Preparing the application for publication
App Information Pricing and Availability App Privacy Preparing to Ship
Loading the application assembly
Setting algorithm
Submitting for review Checking the application Why publication may be rejected
Most often, the development company is responsible for publishing a mobile application on behalf of the client and then transferring access. These instructions, as well as the author’s questionnaire, will help the customer publish the application on their own.
App Store is an application store for iPhone mobile phones, iPod Touch players and iPad tablets, as well as for Mac personal computers.
It has a relatively complex procedure for registering a developer account, due to multiple checks and high-quality application content. Allows you to publish both free and monetized applications of any type.
