How to Sideload Apps on iOS 18 Without Jailbreak
Sideloading on iOS 18: What Has Changed
iOS 18 brought incremental changes to how Apple handles third-party app installation, but the fundamental landscape for non-App Store apps remains largely the same as it was in iOS 17. Apple still restricts sideloading through official channels in most regions outside the European Union, where regulatory pressure has forced Apple to introduce alternative marketplace support under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). For the majority of users globally, sideloading in 2026 means using one of several established unofficial methods — none of which require a jailbreak.
This guide covers every viable sideloading method available for iOS 18, ranked by ease of use.
Method 1: Scarlet iOS (Easiest — No Computer Required)
Scarlet iOS remains the most accessible sideloading solution for iOS 18 users in 2026. It works entirely on-device with no computer, no Apple ID, and no developer account. The installation takes under two minutes and is the method recommended for the vast majority of users.
How It Works on iOS 18
Scarlet iOS uses enterprise certificate signing to deliver apps directly to your device over the air. On iOS 18, this process is functionally identical to how it has worked on previous iOS versions. Apple has not introduced any new restrictions in iOS 18 that prevent enterprise certificate-based installation.
Installation Steps for iOS 18
- Open Safari on your iOS 18 device and go to the official Scarlet iOS website.
- Tap the Install button and allow the configuration profile to download.
- Go to Settings → tap the Profile Downloaded banner → tap Install.
- Navigate to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management and trust the certificate.
- Launch Scarlet iOS from your home screen and begin installing apps.
For the complete walkthrough including troubleshooting tips, see how to install Scarlet iOS on iPhone without a computer.
Method 2: AltStore (Requires a Computer)
AltStore is a long-standing sideloading tool that uses your Apple ID to sign IPA files using a free developer certificate. Unlike Scarlet iOS, AltStore requires a Mac or Windows PC running the AltServer companion application at all times. Apps signed with a free Apple ID certificate expire every seven days, requiring a weekly re-sign while the PC is on the same Wi-Fi network.
Pros and Cons of AltStore on iOS 18
- Pro: Uses your personal Apple ID certificate, which is harder for Apple to revoke across all users at once.
- Pro: AltStore PAL is officially available in the EU as an alternative marketplace.
- Con: Requires a computer to be on and connected to the same network for installation and weekly re-signing.
- Con: Limited to three active apps at a time with a free Apple ID.
- Con: App library is significantly smaller than Scarlet iOS.
Method 3: Sideloadly (Desktop Application)
Sideloadly is a Windows and macOS desktop application that signs IPA files using your Apple ID credentials and installs them to a connected iPhone via USB. It supports both free and paid Apple Developer accounts, with the paid account removing the app limit and extending certificate validity to one year.
Sideloadly is well-suited for developers who want to test their own builds on real devices, but it is less convenient for general users who simply want to enjoy third-party apps without technical overhead.
Method 4: TrollStore (Firmware-Specific)
TrollStore is a permanent app installer that exploits a vulnerability in iOS’s CoreTrust mechanism to install apps that bypass normal certificate validation entirely. Apps installed via TrollStore never expire and do not require re-signing. However, TrollStore is only available on specific, older firmware versions and is not compatible with iOS 18 on any currently released device. Unless you are on a firmware version explicitly listed as supported on the TrollStore GitHub, this method is not an option for you in 2026.
Method 5: EU Alternative Marketplaces (EU Residents Only)
If you are located in the European Union, Apple is legally required under the DMA to allow alternative app marketplaces. Several third-party stores have received Apple’s approval to operate as alternative distribution platforms for EU users. These stores install like regular apps from a special Apple-approved entitlement and can distribute any app that meets their own review standards, not Apple’s. This is a legitimate, legally protected sideloading path for EU residents.
iOS 18-Specific Considerations
Lockdown Mode
If you have Lockdown Mode enabled on your iOS 18 device, enterprise certificate installation and certain sideloading methods may be blocked. Lockdown Mode is an extreme security setting designed for journalists and activists at risk of targeted attacks. If you have it enabled intentionally, you likely already know that sideloading is not supported in that mode.
Managed Devices
iPhones enrolled in a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution — typically issued by employers or schools — may have restrictions that prevent new profile installation. If your device is MDM-managed, check with your IT administrator or use a personal device for sideloading.
iOS 18 and Certificate Trust
iOS 18 did not change the location of the certificate trust menu. It remains at Settings → General → VPN & Device Management. Some early iOS 18 betas temporarily moved this menu, causing confusion, but the final release restored it to the same location used in iOS 17.
Which Sideloading Method Is Right for You?
- If you want the easiest, no-computer experience: Use Scarlet iOS.
- If you are a developer testing your own builds: Use Sideloadly with a paid developer account.
- If you are in the EU and want full legitimacy: Use an Apple-approved alternative marketplace.
- If you want permanent installations without re-signing: Wait for TrollStore support on your firmware, or use Scarlet iOS’s automatic certificate renewal system.
For the full Scarlet iOS experience on iOS 18, including its emulator library and tweaked apps, visit Scarlet iOS and get started today.