KSign for iPhone: What It Is and How to Use It (2026)
KSign is a free, open-source app signer for iPhone and iPad, built to replace ESign. Its developer describes it as “the cleaner Esign app” and as what you would get “if Feather and Esign had a child”: it uses Feather’s code as its base and copies ESign’s look, so former ESign users can switch easily. Like Feather, KSign signs and installs IPA files on the device, but it does not come with a certificate of its own. This guide explains what KSign is, what you need to use it, and the risks to know about. Facts are from KSign’s own GitHub project page. Last checked: October 27, 2026.
The Short Version
- KSign is open source (GPL-3.0), made by the developer Nyasami and published on GitHub, where it had about 720 stars in October 2026.
- The latest stable release is v1.6 (May 24, 2026). A “Latest Beta Build” was published on October 22, 2026.
- It needs iOS or iPadOS 16 or later.
- It does not supply a certificate. You import a certificate (.p12 file and provisioning profile) and KSign signs apps with it.
- The project says its GitHub page is its only home: “We do not currently have a project website outside of this repository.” Sites that host KSign downloads “are often malicious”.
Why KSign Exists
ESign was one of the best-known on-device signers. KSign’s project page says “Esign is end of service”, so people have been moving to other signing apps. KSign recreates ESign’s layout on top of Feather, the open-source signer by claration, to make that move easier. The project also says it was built for Khoindvn, its product manager, to share his certificates with more people. See our Scarlet iOS vs ESign comparison for what happened to ESign, and Feather vs Scarlet iOS for the base project.
What KSign Can Do
From the v1.6 release notes and the beta build’s change list:
- Sign and install IPA files on the device with your imported certificate
- Bulk install of several apps
- An “idevice” installation method, and RSD support added by Feather’s developer
- Tweak injection, including into app extensions, and .bundle files added as tweaks
- Fixes for signing apps with unusual bundles and empty display names
- Optimizations for iOS 26; the beta adds an option to turn off Liquid Glass for apps on iOS 26
- Translations, including German, Russian, Arabic and Vietnamese
The beta’s change list also says piracy sources were removed from its default sources.
What You Need
- An iPhone or iPad on iOS 16 or later.
- A signing certificate: a .p12 file with its password, and the matching .mobileprovision profile (what these files contain: p12 and mobileprovision files explained). The most reliable one is your own, from the Apple Developer Program ($99 a year); see Apple Developer account vs free sideloading.
- A way to install KSign itself the first time, because the KSign IPA has to be signed before it can open (see below).
How to Install and Set Up KSign
- Download Ksign.ipa from the Releases page of the Nyasami/Ksign project on GitHub. Do not use mirror sites.
- Install the IPA with a tool you already have. With your own certificate you can sign it on a computer. Another free option is SideStore, which signs with a free Apple Account; see how to install SideStore on iPhone. Apps installed that way last 7 days before they need a refresh.
- Trust the developer in Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. On iOS 16 and later, turn on Developer Mode in Settings > Privacy & Security if iOS asks for it.
- Open KSign and import your .p12 certificate, its password and the provisioning profile.
- Import an IPA, sign it with the certificate and install it.
If iOS shows “Untrusted Developer” or an app will not open, see how to fix the Untrusted Developer error.
The Risks
Shared certificates get revoked
KSign’s page says it was made so certificates can be shared, “allowing more people to access to sideloading without even have to buy a certificate”. A shared certificate is used by many devices, and Apple can revoke it at any time. When that happens, every app signed with it stops opening, including KSign if it was signed with the same certificate. Our guide on enterprise certificate safety explains why. Your own developer certificate is only affected by your own use.
You trust whoever owns the certificate
Certificates passed around in groups or on websites belong to someone else. You cannot know who controls them or what else is signed with them, and a .p12 from an unknown source is a security risk on its own.
Fake downloads
Because ESign and KSign are popular names, re-uploaded and modified copies are common. The project says its releases are only distributed on GitHub.
The signer does not make an app safe
KSign installs whatever IPA you give it. Check apps from new sources first; see how to scan IPA files for malware.
KSign, Feather and ESign Compared
| KSign | Feather | ESign | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Active | Active | End of service |
| Open source | Yes, GPL-3.0 | Yes, GPL-3.0 | No |
| Look | Like ESign | Own design | – |
| Needs iOS | 16+ | 16+ | – |
| Certificate | Bring your own | Bring your own | Bring your own |
KSign is built on Feather, so the two sign apps the same way. Pick KSign if you liked ESign’s layout; pick Feather if you want the original project. If you do not have a certificate at all, an installer that provides one, such as Scarlet iOS, is simpler to start with, with the revoke risk that comes with any shared certificate. Our free sideloading tools compared covers the other options.
FAQ
Is KSign free?
Yes. KSign is free and open source. A certificate is separate: your own from Apple costs $99 a year.
Is KSign the same as ESign?
No. It is a different app that copies ESign’s look, built on Feather’s code. ESign itself is described by the KSign project as end of service.
Does KSign work without a computer?
After it is installed, signing and installing happen on the device. The first install of KSign needs another tool, which may involve a computer.
Where do I download KSign?
Only from the Releases page of the Nyasami/Ksign project on GitHub. The project says it has no other website.
Why did my KSign apps stop opening?
Most often the certificate they were signed with was revoked or expired. Sign them again with a valid certificate.