Scarlet iOS Complete Feature List and Guide
What Scarlet iOS Can Do in 2026
Scarlet iOS describes itself as an App Store and Cydia alternative: an app installer for iPhone and iPad that lets you discover, install, and manage apps that are not available on the App Store, without a jailbreak. This guide covers the main features and, just as important, the limits you should know about before you rely on it. We only list features that are documented by the developer on the official site, usescarlet.com, or that you can see in the app yourself. Last checked: October 27, 2026.
What the Official Site Says
The developer’s own description of Scarlet is short. This table lists what usescarlet.com states, and what each point means in practice.
| usescarlet.com says | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| “An AppStore and Cydia alternative” | An app installer for apps that are not on the App Store, without a jailbreak |
| “Direct install or installing with the Scarlet computer method” | Two ways to set it up; the direct install works on the iPhone alone |
| “Lightning fast signing” | Scarlet signs the apps it installs; see How Scarlet Signs Apps below for the risk this carries |
| “Tweak injection” | You can add tweaks to apps before installing them |
| “Updating or backing up your progress” | Tools to update installed apps and back up app data |
| “A wide range of options for accessibility” | The site does not say which options these are |
| “Scarlet has only one developer” | Updates follow one person’s schedule |
The site does not publish a detailed feature list, a changelog or technical documentation, so anything beyond these points comes from using the app.
Installation Without a Computer
The official site offers two ways to set Scarlet up: a direct install on the iPhone itself, and a Scarlet computer method. The direct install is the one most people use, because it needs no computer and no cable.
After installing, iOS asks you to trust the developer profile once in Settings, General, VPN and Device Management. If you skip this, the app will not open; see the guide on trusting enterprise developer certificates on iPhone for the exact steps.
How Scarlet Signs Apps
Apps installed through Scarlet are signed with a certificate that Apple accepts, which is what lets them run on a normal, non-jailbroken iPhone. This is the same basic approach other on-device installers use. It has one important consequence: Apple can revoke these certificates. When that happens, Scarlet and the apps it installed stop opening until they are signed again. That is a limitation of the method, not a fault on your device, and our guide on what to do when the certificate is revoked explains the fix.
Built-In App Library
Scarlet comes with a library of apps you can browse and install from inside the app. It typically includes categories such as:
- Emulators for classic consoles
- Tweaked versions of popular apps
- Games
- Utilities and tools
What is available changes over time, so treat any specific app as available only if you can see it in the library on the day you install. For a focused look at emulators, see best emulators to install with Scarlet iOS in 2026.
Repositories (Sources)
Beyond the built-in library, Scarlet can load apps from third-party repositories, often called repos or sources. A repo is a list of IPA files hosted by a developer or a community. You add a repo by pasting its URL into the app, and its apps then become available to install. Repos are run by third parties, not by Scarlet, so their quality and safety vary. Our list of IPA libraries and repositories covers well-known options, and what is a repo for Scarlet explains how they work.
Tweak Injection
The official site lists “tweak injection” among Scarlet’s features. A tweak is extra code, usually a .dylib file, that changes how an app behaves, for example by removing ads or adding options. Injecting a tweak means adding that file to the app before it is signed and installed.
The risk is the same as with any modified app: the tweak runs inside the app with all the permissions you give it. Only inject tweaks from developers you trust, and see how to check an IPA and its dylibs before you do.
Updates and Backups
usescarlet.com mentions “updating or backing up your progress”. The site does not explain how these work in detail. One caution applies to any certificate-signed installer: an app that stops opening after a revocation still holds its data as long as you do not delete it. Keep your own copy of anything important, for example through the app’s own cloud sync or an iCloud or computer backup.
Installing Your Own IPA Files
Scarlet can also install IPA files you already have, for example one you downloaded in Safari or saved in the Files app. This makes it useful as a general IPA installer, not only as a store. Before installing a file from an unknown source, it is worth checking it first; see how to scan IPA files for malware.
iOS Compatibility
Scarlet iOS is confirmed to work on iOS 14 through iOS 26. Support for iOS 27 has been reported by third parties but is not officially confirmed. After a major iOS update, update Scarlet as well, since older versions may not work on a new iOS release.
What Scarlet Does Not Do
- Permanent installs: because apps are certificate-signed, a revocation can stop them from opening. Only tools based on the TrollStore bug install permanently, and only on a few older iOS versions.
- App Store distribution: Scarlet is not available on the App Store, and it is not an official EU alternative marketplace.
- App vetting guarantees: apps from third-party repos are not reviewed by Apple, so use trusted sources.
Scarlet is developed by a single developer, according to the official site, so updates follow that developer’s schedule. The site’s copyright line names MEG ENTERPRISES LLC.
Next Steps
Setup steps are on our Scarlet iOS install page. For a step-by-step walkthrough, read how to install Scarlet iOS, and if something goes wrong, the Scarlet iOS troubleshooting guide covers the common errors. Other common questions are answered in the complete Scarlet iOS FAQ.