How to Back Up Sideloaded Apps and Their Data

One of the most frequently asked questions from new sideloaders is: “If my app gets revoked, do I lose my data?” The good news is that iOS handles app data and app binaries separately, so reinstalling an app through Scarlet iOS typically preserves your data automatically. The less reassuring news is that this is not universal, and it depends on how the specific app stores its data.

This guide explains exactly how iOS manages sideloaded app data, which backup methods work reliably, how to protect critical data like emulator save files and app configurations, and what to do when the automatic preservation does not apply.

How iOS Stores App Data

Every app on iOS stores its data in a sandbox, an isolated container tied to the app’s Bundle ID. This container is separate from the app binary itself. Deleting an app removes its data container too, but the “Offload App” option (Settings > General > iPhone Storage) removes only the app and keeps its data. When you reinstall the same app, iOS reconnects the new binary to the existing data container.

For sideloaded apps, the mechanics are nearly identical as long as the reinstalled app has the same Bundle ID as the original. If you reinstall the same IPA through Scarlet iOS after a certificate revocation and it keeps the same Bundle ID, the OS typically reconnects it to the existing data container, so your save files, cached data and app settings usually survive the reinstallation. Logins can still be lost: apps keep them in the keychain, and a new certificate from a different developer team cannot read keychain items saved under the old one.

The important caveat: if you delete the app manually before reinstalling (rather than just reinstalling over the top), iOS deletes its data container as well. Avoid this unless you specifically want to start fresh. If iOS refuses to install over the existing app because the new copy is signed by a different team, you have to delete it first, and its data goes with it; that is why the manual exports below matter.

iCloud Backup and Sideloaded Apps

iCloud Backup (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup) backs up your device including app data. The question is whether sideloaded app data is included in this backup.

The answer depends on how the app handles backups. iOS skips caches and temporary files, and apps can exclude other files from backup. Whether data from a sideloaded app comes back after a restore is not guaranteed, so do not rely on iCloud Backup alone for data you care about.

However, there is a catch when restoring from an iCloud Backup: the App Store will attempt to reinstall all backed-up apps. Sideloaded apps are not in the App Store, so they will not be automatically reinstalled during restore. The app data will exist in the restored backup, but without the app binary installed, you cannot access it until you reinstall through Scarlet iOS.

The workflow for restoring a device with sideloaded apps:

Restore from iCloud Backup or set up as new device
Let App Store apps restore automatically
Open Scarlet iOS and reinstall your sideloaded apps
Check that the reinstalled apps have their data; if not, restore it from your manual exports

iTunes and Finder Backup

Connecting your iPhone to a Mac or PC and creating a local backup via Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or the Apple Devices app or iTunes (Windows) creates a comprehensive backup that includes app data. Like iCloud Backup, it skips files an app marks as excluded from backup, but it does not depend on your iCloud storage.

Encrypted local backups are particularly valuable for sideloaded apps because they include keychain data: login tokens, passwords, and authentication credentials that apps store in the iOS keychain. Without encryption, keychain data is excluded from backups.

To create an encrypted local backup via Finder:

Connect your iPhone to your Mac and open Finder
Select your device in the left sidebar
Under the General tab, click “Encrypt local backup” and set a password
Click “Back Up Now”

Manually Backing Up Critical App Data

For the most important data, particularly emulator save files and game states, manual backup is the most reliable approach because it is independent of iOS backup mechanisms and does not require a full device restore to access.

Emulator Save Files

Different emulators store save files in different locations, and the backup method varies accordingly.

Delta: Delta can sync saves through its built-in sync service (Google Drive or Dropbox) and can also export individual save files.
PPSSPP: PSP saves are stored in the PSP/SAVEDATA folder within the app’s Documents directory. You can access this through the Files app (On My iPhone > PPSSPP) and copy the folder to iCloud Drive manually.
Provenance: Check Provenance’s settings for its sync and import/export options, or copy saves out through the Files app.
RetroArch: Saves are in the RetroArch > saves directory, accessible via Files app and copyable to iCloud Drive.

Document-Based Apps

Many productivity and utility apps store their files in an accessible Documents directory that appears in the Files app under “On My iPhone > [App Name].” Files here can be copied to iCloud Drive, AirDropped to a Mac, or emailed directly from the Files app for safekeeping.

Using iCloud Drive as a Manual Backup Location

The most practical manual backup strategy for most sideloaded app data is to copy critical files to iCloud Drive. This creates an off-device copy that survives anything that happens to your iPhone, including complete device replacement.

Set up a folder structure in iCloud Drive for your sideloaded app data: create a folder called “Sideloaded App Backups” with subfolders per app. Develop a habit of copying critical files there before major iOS updates and regularly in between, since a certificate revocation comes without warning.

For guidance on managing storage efficiently while maintaining these backups, see our guide on how to free up iPhone storage for more sideloaded apps.

What Happens to Data During Reinstallation

To be completely clear about the reinstallation workflow after certificate revocation:

Scenario 1: Reinstall without deleting first: App data is preserved. iOS reconnects the new binary to the existing data container. This is what normally happens when you reinstall an app over an existing one.
Scenario 2: Delete app, then reinstall: Deleting the app removes its data container. Reinstalling starts fresh unless you restore from a backup.
Scenario 3: Restore from backup, then reinstall sideloaded app: Data is restored from backup and reconnected to the reinstalled binary. This can work, but it is not guaranteed for sideloaded apps, so keep manual exports too.

The safest approach is always to reinstall without deleting first. With Scarlet iOS, simply reinstall the app over the existing one instead of deleting it first.

Keeping Your Sideloaded App Setup Intact

With the combination of iCloud backups, manual save file exports, and careful reinstallation practice, you can keep most of your sideloaded app data safe. The key is establishing the habit before you need it, not after data loss has occurred.

For guidance on the reinstallation process itself, see our full walkthrough on how to reinstall Scarlet iOS without losing data.

Ready to ensure your sideloaded apps are well-protected? Start with a solid installation through Scarlet iOS and build your backup habits from day one.

How to Back Up Sideloaded Apps and Their Data