How to Install AltStore on an iPhone or iPad

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Learn how to get AltStore on your iPhone and iPad using a Windows or Mac computer

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: December 9, 2024 Fact Checked

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Windows

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macOS

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Troubleshooting

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Video

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Tips

AltStore allows you to install apps and games you can't find on the App Store without having to jailbreak your iPhone or iPad. In addition to acting as a store, AltStore lets you sideload apps (IPA files) you've downloaded from the web. AltStore works by setting up a server on your Mac or Windows 10 PC, so having a computer is mandatory. This wikiHow article teaches you how to install AltStore, an alternative to Apple's mobile App Store.

Installing AltStore on iOS: Quick Tips

On a PC, install iCloud and iTunes directly from Apple. If you have the Microsoft Store version of either, uninstall it first.
Install AltServer on your PC or Mac, and use it to install AltStore on your iPhone or iPad.
Trust the AltStore in your iPhone's Settings, then enable Developer Mode to start sideloading apps.

Section 1 of 3:

Windows

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1
Install the latest version of iCloud for Windows. It's very important that you install the version of iCloud that comes from Apple's website—not the version from the Microsoft Store.^{[1]
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Research source} Here's how:
- First, open the Microsoft Store app in Windows and click Library. If you see iCloud for Windows, uninstall it now so you can install the version that works with the AltStore.
- Click this link to download the iCloud Setup EXE file directly from Apple.
- Once the download is complete, double-click the file (icloud.exe) and follow the on-screen instructions to install iCloud.
- Open iCloud if it doesn't launch immediately, and follow the on-screen instructions to sign in with your Apple ID.
2
Install the version of iTunes from Apple's website. Like with iCloud, you need the version that comes directly from Apple, not the Microsoft Store. Here's how to get it:
- As you did with iCloud, open the Microsoft Store, click Library, and look for iTunes in My Library > Installed. If it's there, uninstall it.
- If you're using a 64-bit version of Windows, click this direct download link to download the iTunes installer.
- For the 32-bit version of Windows, use this link instead.
  - If you're not sure whether your PC is 64-bit or 32-bit, type msinfo32 into the Windows Search bar and press Enter. Next to "System type," you'll see "x64-based PC" for 64-bit, or "x86-based PC" for 32-bit.
- Double-click the iTunes installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install.
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3
Set up your iPhone or iPad to sync over Wi-Fi. You'll want to do this so you don't have to keep your phone or tablet connected to the computer while you use the AltStore. To do this:
- Connect the iPhone or iPad to the PC and open iTunes.
- If you just installed iTunes, follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.
- Click the device icon near the top-left corner to see your iPhone or iPad's contents.
- Click Summary at the top of the left panel.
- Check the box next to "Sync with this [device type] over Wi-Fi" and click Apply.^{[2]
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Go to https://altstore.io/#Downloads in a web browser. This takes you to the Downloads area of the AltStore website.
This downloads a file called "altstaller.zip" to your PC.
Since you downloaded a zipped file, you'll need to unzip it first. Then, double-click the file called setup.exe and follow the on-screen instructions to install AltServer. Now that you're all set up on your computer, it's time to get AltStore onto your phone or tablet.
To do this, type altserver into the Windows search bar, right-click AltServer, click Run as administrator, and then click Yes.
Another menu will expand.
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Click your iPhone's or iPad's name. This asks you to confirm your Apple ID. Once confirmed, AltStore will install. When the installation is complete, you'll see a confirmation message.
- When prompted, provide your Apple ID and password to log in. This information will only be used to log you in through Apple so you can sideload apps. Your login details won't be sent to the developers of AltStore.^{[3]
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- If you don't see your iPhone or iPad, ensure it's properly connected to your computer, the screen is unlocked, and you can see it in iTunes.
10
Open AltStore on your iPhone or iPad. When the app is installed, you'll find its diamond icon on your home screen and/or in the App Library. You'll get an error when you open the app the first time—close the error and continue to the next step.
- You might need to restart your iPhone to see the AltStore icon.
11
Configure your iPhone to trust AltStore. This allows you to install apps from your computer onto your iPhone or iPad. Here's how:
- Open the Settings app and navigate to General > Profiles & Device Management.
- Tap Trust (your Apple ID).
- Tap Trust to confirm.
12
Enable Developer Mode on your iPhone or iPad. If you're using iOS 16 or later, you'll need to enable Developer Mode to sideload apps. Here's how to do it:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Privacy and Security.
- Tap Developer Mode.
- Toggle the switch to the On position.
- Once you're finished, you can open AltStore and start downloading apps.

Section 2 of 3:

macOS

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Go to https://altstore.io/#Downloads in a web browser on your Mac. This is the official site for the AltStore. To get the AltStore onto your iPhone or iPad, you'll first need to install AltServer.
This saves a file called altserver.zip to your Mac.
Since you downloaded a zipped file, you'll need to unzip it first. Then, double-click the file called AltServer.App and drag "AltServer.app" to the Applications folder to install AltServer.^{[4]
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You'll find it in your Applications folder and on the Launchpad. This adds a diamond-shaped AltServer icon to your menu bar near the clock.
Use the cable that came with it or one that's compatible. If prompted, trust your iPhone or iPad.
6
Enable Wi-Fi syncing for your iPhone/iPad. You'll want to do this so you don't have to keep your phone or tablet connected to the computer while you use the AltStore. To do this:
- Open Finder and select your iPhone/iPad in the left panel.^{[5]
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- Click General in the button bar.
- Check the box next to "Show this iPhone/iPad when on Wi-Fi" with this iPhone/iPad over Wi-Fi."
- Adjust any other sync settings you want and click Apply.
Another menu will expand.
8
Click the name of your iPhone or iPad. This installs the AltStore app on your phone or tablet.
- When prompted, you'll have to enter your Apple ID and password. This logs you into your Apple ID so you can sideload apps. It isn't risky and won't send your login information to AltStore.
When the app is installed, you'll find its diamond icon on your home screen and/or in the App Library. You'll get an error when you open the app the first time—close the error and continue to the next step.
10
Configure your iPhone to trust AltStore. This allows you to install apps from your computer onto your iPhone or iPad. Here's how:
- Open the Settings app and navigate to General > Profiles & Device Management.
- Tap Trust (your Apple ID).
- Tap Trust to confirm.
11
Enable Developer Mode on your iPhone or iPad. If you're using iOS 16 or later, you'll need to enable Developer Mode to sideload apps. Here's how to do it:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Privacy and Security.
- Tap Developer Mode.
- Toggle the switch to the On position.
- Once you're finished, you can open AltStore and start downloading apps.

Section 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting

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1
On a PC, only use the Apple-provided versions of iCloud and iTunes. If you use the version of iCloud or iTunes from the Microsoft Store instead of from Apple, you'll get errors when you open AltStore. In that case, uninstall what you downloaded and install both programs from Apple's website.
- Both iTunes and iCloud must be running while using AltServer.
Check your iPhone or iPad's screen—is it asking you to trust your computer? If so, tap the option to do so.
If you can't install AltStore, you might need to use a different Apple ID during the installation process. If you don't have one, you can create a new one here.^{[6]
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4
Try a different network. If you get an error that says "Could not find AltServer" or you're unable to sideload apps, the Wi-Fi network the devices are connected to may be preventing them from communicating. If another network isn't available, you can connect the computer to your iPhone's hotspot while using AltStore.
- It's also possible that your firewall may be blocking incoming connections to AltServer.

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Tips

To install an app from AltStore, tap the Browse tab to check out the options, then tap FREE on an app to install it.^{[7]
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Thanks
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Apps installed from the AltStore will work for up to 7 days without a paid developer's account—this is because AltStore basically tricks your iPhone/iPad into thinking you're a developer installing your own apps. But don't worry, you won't lose anything, and the app won't be revoked—AltStore automatically refreshes your apps, so you shouldn't have any problems.

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Uninstall and plug your iPhone or iPad into your computer again to re-install AltStore to avoid the developer fee. If your account hasn't expired, you can connect your phone or tablet to your computer, open the AltStore server, and press Refresh All to refresh the 7-day limit.

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