How to Sideload Apps on iOS 26 and iOS 27 Without Jailbreak

Sideloading on iOS 26 and iOS 27: What You Need to Know

Apple moved to year-based version numbers with iOS 26 (September 2025), followed by iOS 27, publicly available since September 14, 2026. As of October 2026, the basic landscape for installing apps outside the official App Store has not changed much. Apple still restricts installing apps outside the App Store in most regions. According to Apple’s support page, alternative app distribution (alternative marketplaces and web distribution) is offered only in the EU, Brazil and Japan. For most users worldwide, sideloading still means using one of a handful of established unofficial methods, none of which require a jailbreak.

This guide covers every viable sideloading method available for iOS 26 and iOS 27, ranked by ease of use, along with the Developer Mode and certificate trust steps they depend on. Last checked: October 27, 2026, against Apple Support, Apple’s Xcode documentation and each tool’s own documentation.

The Risks First

• Every method except an approved alternative marketplace relies on certificates Apple can limit or revoke. Apps signed with a free Apple ID stop opening after 7 days unless refreshed; apps signed with a shared certificate stop when that certificate is revoked.
• A sideloaded IPA never went through App Review. Only install files from sources you trust, and check them first (see how to scan IPA files for malware).
• Apple says it can do less to help users who run into problems with apps downloaded outside the App Store, even from approved alternative marketplaces.

All Methods at a Glance

Method	Computer	Signs with	App lifetime	Main limit
Scarlet iOS	No	Shared certificate	Until revoked	Apple can revoke the certificate at any time
SideStore	Only for setup	Your Apple ID	7 days, refreshed on the phone	3 apps with a free Apple ID
AltStore Classic	Yes (AltServer)	Your Apple ID	7 days, refreshed via AltServer	3 apps with a free Apple ID
Sideloadly	Yes	Your Apple ID	7 days free, up to 1 year paid	3 apps with a free Apple ID
TrollStore	Depends on version	CoreTrust bug	Permanent	Not available on iOS 26 or 27
Alternative marketplaces	No	Apple notarization	Like App Store apps	Brazil, Japan and the EU only

Method 1: Scarlet iOS (Easiest, No Computer Required)

Scarlet iOS is confirmed to work on iOS 14 through iOS 26. Third-party reports say it also runs on iOS 27, though this has not been officially confirmed, so treat iOS 27 compatibility as unconfirmed. It works on the device, with no computer and no developer account, which makes it the simplest option where it is supported.

If your iOS version is supported, you can install Scarlet iOS from our install page.

How It Works

Scarlet iOS uses enterprise certificate signing to deliver apps directly to your device over the air, the same approach it has used on every supported iOS version. Apple can revoke these certificates at any time, and when that happens, apps installed through the revoked certificate stop opening until you reinstall them.

Installation Steps for iOS 26 and iOS 27

1. Open Safari on your device and go to the official Scarlet iOS website.
2. Tap the Install button and confirm the install prompt.
3. Wait for the Scarlet icon to finish downloading on your home screen (it installs as an app, with no profile to install).
4. Navigate to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management and trust the developer listed for Scarlet (you normally do this only once).
5. Launch Scarlet iOS from your home screen and begin installing apps. Scarlet is enterprise-signed, so it does not need Developer Mode; that setting (see below) is for apps signed with your own Apple ID.

For the complete walkthrough including troubleshooting tips, see how to install Scarlet iOS on iPhone without a computer.

Method 2: SideStore (Computer Only for Setup)

SideStore signs apps with your own Apple ID, like AltStore, but refreshes them on the phone. According to its docs, it refreshes your apps in the background from time to time so their 7-day signing period does not run out, and you need a computer only once, during setup. It uses a VPN app on the device (LocalDevVPN) to install and refresh apps; its FAQ says the VPN only connects to your own device and uses no remote servers. Setup uses iloader on a computer and a pairing file, which SideStore warns can stop working after you update or reset your iPhone, so you may have to import it again. Full steps are in our SideStore installation guide.

Method 3: AltStore (Requires a Computer)

AltStore is a long-standing sideloading tool that uses your Apple ID to sign IPA files with a free developer certificate. It is confirmed to work through iOS 26; it has not been confirmed on iOS 27. Unlike Scarlet iOS, AltStore requires a Mac or Windows PC running the AltServer companion application. Apps signed with a free Apple ID certificate expire after seven days, so you will need to re-sign weekly while your computer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone. According to AltStore’s docs, it can refresh apps while the iPhone shares a Wi-Fi network with a computer running AltServer or is connected to that computer by USB, and with Background Refresh on it tries to do this by itself. If you forget, see what to do when a sideloaded app expires after 7 days.

Pros and Cons of AltStore

• 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: A free Apple ID limits you to three active sideloaded apps at a time (see how to handle the 3-app limit); a paid Apple Developer account (99 USD per year) extends certificate validity up to a year.
• Con: App library is smaller than Scarlet iOS.

Method 4: Sideloadly (Desktop Application)

Sideloadly is a Windows and macOS desktop application that signs IPA files using your Apple ID credentials and installs them to an iPhone connected by USB, or over Wi-Fi once Wi-Fi sync is set up. Like AltStore, it is confirmed through iOS 26 and unconfirmed on iOS 27. It supports both free and paid Apple Developer accounts, with the same 7-day versus 1-year certificate validity. Its FAQ says the Sideloadly Daemon can refresh apps that are near expiry when the device is detected over Wi-Fi or USB. Our Sideloadly guide covers the setup.

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 5: TrollStore (Firmware-Specific)

TrollStore is a permanent app installer that exploits a vulnerability in iOS’s CoreTrust mechanism to bypass normal certificate validation entirely. Apps installed through TrollStore never expire and do not require re-signing. However, TrollStore only supports iOS 14.0 through 16.6.1 and iOS 17.0, which means it is not compatible with iOS 26 or iOS 27 on any currently released device. Unless your iPhone is still on one of those older firmware versions, this method is not an option for you right now. If you have an older iPhone on iOS 15, see our guide to sideloading on older iPhones.

Method 6: Alternative Marketplaces (Brazil, Japan and EU)

If you are located in the European Union, Apple has been required since iOS 17.4, under the Digital Markets Act, to allow alternative app marketplaces and web-distributed apps. Several third-party stores have Apple’s approval to operate as alternative distribution platforms for EU users, installing apps that meet their own review standards rather than Apple’s. Apple’s support page now lists Brazil and Japan as well as the EU. According to Apple, users there install a marketplace by downloading it from its developer’s own website, and apps installed this way go through Apple’s notarization check, while each distributor reviews apps under its own policies. Some features, such as Ask to Buy and purchase sharing with Family Sharing, are not supported for these apps. This is the only path on this list that Apple officially allows, but it is limited to those regions.

iOS 26 and iOS 27 Considerations

Developer Mode

Developer Mode, introduced in iOS 16, must be turned on before an app signed with a development certificate will run. That covers apps installed with SideStore, AltStore, Sideloadly or Xcode. Apple’s docs say it applies to “building and running an app from Xcode, or installing an .ipa file” outside the App Store and TestFlight. Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Developer Mode (under Security), turn it on, then tap Restart. After the restart, tap Enable and enter your passcode. Apple notes the switch only appears after you start pairing the iPhone with a Mac, or if it was paired before. See our Developer Mode guide.

Lockdown Mode

If you have Lockdown Mode enabled, configuration profiles cannot be installed and some sideloading methods may be blocked. Lockdown Mode is an extreme security setting designed for people at heightened risk of targeted attacks. Apple’s support page confirms that with Lockdown Mode on, “configuration profiles can’t be installed”, and that to connect the iPhone to a computer “the device needs to be unlocked”, which matters for the computer-based tools.

Managed Devices

iPhones enrolled in a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution, typically issued by an employer or school, may block new profile installation entirely. If your device is MDM-managed, check with your IT administrator or use a personal device for sideloading.

Certificate Trust Menu Location

The certificate trust menu is at Settings → General → VPN & Device Management on recent iOS versions, including iOS 26. This is the same location it has been in for several previous iOS versions.

Which Sideloading Method Is Right for You?

• If you want the easiest, no-computer experience: Use Scarlet iOS.
• If you want your own Apple ID without a computer every week: Use SideStore.
• If you are a developer testing your own builds: Use Sideloadly with a paid developer account.
• If you are in the EU, Brazil or Japan and want full legitimacy: Use an Apple-approved alternative marketplace.
• If you want permanent installations without re-signing and your iPhone is on supported older firmware: look into TrollStore. Otherwise, Scarlet iOS is the practical option.

FAQ

Can I sideload on iOS 27 yet?

SideStore, AltStore and Sideloadly sign with your own Apple ID, so check each tool’s own release notes for iOS 27. Scarlet is confirmed on iOS 14 through iOS 26; iOS 27 support is reported by third parties but not officially confirmed.

Why do my apps stop opening after a week?

Free Apple ID signatures last 7 days. Refresh them before they run out; our 7-day expiry guide covers each tool.

Is sideloading legal?

Installing apps you have the right to use is generally allowed, and in Brazil, Japan and the EU Apple supports alternative distribution. Installing paid apps you have not bought is not. See our sideloading safety guide.

To get started on iOS 26, see how to install Scarlet iOS, or the SideStore and Sideloadly guides linked above.