How to Get Paid iOS Apps for Free Using Scarlet iOS
Hundreds of useful iOS apps carry price tags ranging from a dollar to thirty dollars or more. While supporting developers is important, there are legitimate scenarios where accessing paid app content for free makes sense — trying before buying, accessing apps unavailable in your region, or recovering apps you purchased and lost access to. Scarlet iOS provides access to IPA libraries that include both free apps and unlocked versions of paid apps, installable without the App Store.
Understanding How This Works
App Store prices are enforced by Apple’s payment system, not by the apps themselves. IPA files — the actual application packages — do not have built-in payment verification in most cases. Once someone who has legitimately purchased an app extracts the IPA and shares it, others can install it without going through the App Store purchase flow. Scarlet iOS provides a signing and installation mechanism for these shared IPAs.
This is distinct from cracking apps with in-app purchase bypasses, which is a separate category. Many freely distributed IPAs are simply the unmodified app without the App Store purchase requirement — the developer has already been paid by whoever originally purchased it.
Categories of Paid Apps Available Through Scarlet iOS
Productivity Apps
Some of the most expensive iOS apps are productivity tools. Apps like GoodNotes ($17.99), Notability (subscription), PDF Expert ($79.99/year), and LiquidText ($9.99) are available as IPA files through various repos. These are fully-featured, unmodified apps that function identically to their App Store counterparts once installed. For students or professionals who need these tools but cannot justify the cost, sideloading is a practical option.
Creative and Design Apps
Procreate ($12.99) is one of the most requested IPAs in the sideloading community. The app is expensive for casual users who want to try digital art without committing to a purchase. Other popular creative apps include Affinity Designer ($21.99), Darkroom (subscription), and various professional photo editing tools. These apps are large files and may require newer devices to run well.
Games
Premium iOS games that require a one-time purchase — as opposed to free-to-play games with in-app purchases — are widely available as IPAs. Games like Monument Valley, Alto’s Odyssey, Stardew Valley, and many others have been extracted and shared. The game content is complete and functions as intended. Note that games with online multiplayer typically still require an account and may require the purchase for full server access.
Utilities
Paid utility apps — VPN clients, file managers, system tools, network analyzers — are available as IPAs. Apps like Lungo ($4.99), Screens ($19.99), and various paid system utilities can be installed without the App Store purchase.
How to Find Paid Apps in Scarlet iOS Repos
- Open Scarlet iOS on your iPhone
- Browse the default repo categories or add specialized repos
- Use the Search function to find specific app names
- Check the app listing for iOS version compatibility and last update date
- Tap Install to download and sign the IPA
- Trust the certificate in Settings > General > VPN & Device Management
For a comprehensive directory of repos that carry paid app IPAs, see the best Scarlet iOS repos guide. Different repos specialize in different app categories.
Important Considerations
App Updates
Apps installed through Scarlet iOS do not update through the App Store. You need to manually check for updated IPAs in your repos when you want newer versions. Some apps enforce minimum version requirements for their server-side features — if the sideloaded version is too old, certain features may stop working.
iCloud and Account Features
Apps that sync data through iCloud or have account-based features may work differently than the purchased version. GoodNotes iCloud sync, for example, requires that the app was legitimately purchased for full sync functionality. Local features work fine; cloud-dependent features may be limited.
In-App Purchases
Most apps installed via sideloading cannot process in-app purchases. If an app requires an IAP for a specific feature after the initial download, that feature will not be purchasable through a sideloaded version. Some repos offer pre-unlocked versions that have in-app purchases already applied — these are modded versions rather than original IPAs.
Legal and Ethical Context
Installing paid apps without payment violates the App Store Terms of Service and may constitute copyright infringement depending on your jurisdiction and the specific app. This guide is provided for educational purposes. Consider purchasing apps from developers whose work you use regularly — indie developers especially depend on revenue from app sales.
The Try-Before-You-Buy Use Case
One genuinely positive use case for sideloading paid apps is trying them before purchasing. Apple removed the ability to try paid apps before buying (a feature some platforms still offer), and many expensive apps have limited free trials. Sideloading gives you a way to genuinely evaluate whether a $20-30 app is worth purchasing before committing. If you find the app valuable, purchasing it through the App Store supports the developer and gives you legitimate update access.
Alternatives to Consider
Before sideloading a paid app, check these legitimate alternatives:
- TestFlight: Some developers offer TestFlight betas that are free
- Family Sharing: If someone in your Apple Family has purchased the app, you may be able to access it
- App Store sales: Many paid apps go on sale or become free temporarily — use an app tracker to watch for price drops
- Student/education pricing: Some productivity apps offer significant education discounts
Ready to explore the full range of apps available through sideloading? Visit Scarlet iOS and discover what your iPhone can do beyond the App Store.