The Ultimate iOS Sideloading Checklist for Beginners

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Your Complete Beginner Checklist for iOS Sideloading

Starting with iOS sideloading can feel overwhelming. There are certificates, IPA files, repositories, and trust settings to navigate — all without the polished simplicity of the App Store. This checklist is designed to take the guesswork out of your first sideloading experience, walking you through every step with clear verification criteria so you know you have done each step correctly before moving on.

Work through this checklist in order. Each section builds on the previous one. By the time you reach the end, you will have a fully configured Scarlet iOS setup and at least one sideloaded app running on your iPhone.

Part 1: Device Readiness Checklist

Before installing anything, verify your device meets all requirements.

Hardware Verification

  • [ ] Confirm your device is iPhone 8 or newer, or an iPad from 2018 or later
  • [ ] Check available storage: you need at least 1 GB free for Scarlet iOS, plus space for apps you plan to install
  • [ ] Ensure your battery is above 30% or plug in your charger before starting
  • [ ] Confirm your Wi-Fi connection is stable — sideloading over cellular is possible but not recommended

iOS Version Verification

  • [ ] Go to Settings > General > About and note your iOS version
  • [ ] Confirm you are running iOS 14.0 or later
  • [ ] If you are running iOS 18 beta, check the Scarlet iOS website for beta compatibility status

Account and Security Check

  • [ ] Know your Apple ID password (you may need it during the process)
  • [ ] Disable Screen Time restrictions if they are active (Settings > Screen Time)
  • [ ] If your organization manages your iPhone via MDM, confirm you have permission to install non-Store apps

Part 2: Safari Preparation Checklist

Scarlet iOS must be installed via Safari. Other browsers will not work.

  • [ ] Open Safari (the compass icon) — not Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser
  • [ ] Disable any content blocker extensions: Settings > Safari > Extensions, toggle off all content blockers
  • [ ] Disable any VPN you have running: Settings > VPN or Settings > General > VPN & Device Management
  • [ ] Clear Safari cache: Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data
  • [ ] In Safari settings, ensure JavaScript is enabled: Settings > Safari > Advanced > JavaScript: On

Part 3: Scarlet iOS Installation Checklist

Follow these steps in order and check each box when complete.

Downloading the Profile

  • [ ] Navigate to the official Scarlet iOS website in Safari
  • [ ] Tap the Install or Download button on the page
  • [ ] When prompted “This website is trying to download a configuration profile,” tap Allow
  • [ ] Verify the notification “Profile Downloaded” appears at the top of your screen

Installing the Profile

  • [ ] Open Settings (not Scarlet iOS — you go to Settings first)
  • [ ] You should see “Profile Downloaded” near the top of Settings — tap it
  • [ ] If you do not see it at the top, go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management
  • [ ] Tap the Scarlet iOS profile listed under “Downloaded Profile”
  • [ ] Tap Install in the top right corner
  • [ ] Enter your iPhone passcode when prompted
  • [ ] Tap Install again on the warning screen
  • [ ] Tap Done when the profile is installed

Trusting the Certificate

  • [ ] Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management
  • [ ] Find and tap the Scarlet iOS certificate under “Enterprise App” or “Developer App”
  • [ ] Tap “Trust [Scarlet iOS certificate name]”
  • [ ] Tap Trust in the confirmation dialog
  • [ ] Verify the certificate now shows a green “Verified” status

Launching Scarlet iOS

  • [ ] Find the Scarlet iOS icon on your home screen
  • [ ] Tap to open — it should launch without any error message
  • [ ] If you see “Untrusted Developer,” repeat the certificate trust step above
  • [ ] Verify the Scarlet iOS main screen loads with navigation tabs visible

Part 4: Installing Your First App Checklist

Choose a simple, well-known app for your first installation to verify everything is working before attempting more complex apps.

Browsing the App Library

  • [ ] Explore the Browse or Apps tab in Scarlet iOS
  • [ ] Find an app you want to install (Delta emulator is a popular, reliable first choice)
  • [ ] Read the app description and verify it is compatible with your iOS version
  • [ ] Tap the Get or Install button

Completing Installation

  • [ ] Confirm the installation prompt by tapping Install
  • [ ] Watch for the app icon to appear on your home screen (may take 10–30 seconds)
  • [ ] Tap the new app icon to open it
  • [ ] Verify the app opens without errors

If Installation Fails

  • [ ] Check available storage — free up space if under 500 MB
  • [ ] Restart your iPhone and try again
  • [ ] Delete and reinstall Scarlet iOS if the error persists
  • [ ] Try a different app to determine if the issue is app-specific or Scarlet iOS-wide

Part 5: Ongoing Maintenance Checklist

Sideloaded apps require periodic maintenance to keep working. Build these habits from day one.

Weekly Tasks

  • [ ] Open Scarlet iOS at least once per week to keep the certificate active
  • [ ] Check for app updates in the Scarlet iOS library for apps you use regularly
  • [ ] Note which apps show “certificate expired” warnings so you can re-install them

After iOS Updates

  • [ ] After any iOS system update, open Scarlet iOS and verify it still works
  • [ ] Check the Scarlet iOS website or community for any iOS update compatibility notes
  • [ ] Re-install any sideloaded apps that stopped working after the update

Security Best Practices

  • [ ] Only install apps from the official Scarlet iOS library or trusted community repositories
  • [ ] Never install IPA files sent to you by strangers via direct message
  • [ ] Review app permissions when first opening any newly installed app
  • [ ] Keep Scarlet iOS itself updated to the latest version

Part 6: Advanced Setup Checklist (Optional)

Once your basic setup is working, consider these additional optimizations.

  • [ ] Browse and add additional repositories to expand your app library
  • [ ] Configure a Bluetooth controller if you plan to use emulators
  • [ ] Set up iCloud Drive folders for ROM and IPA file storage
  • [ ] Join the Scarlet iOS community on Reddit or Discord for ongoing tips
  • [ ] Read our guides on best emulators and best tweaked apps for app recommendations

Checklist Complete — You Are Ready

Working through this checklist systematically ensures that every component of your sideloading setup is correctly configured before you invest time in building a library of apps. The few minutes you spend on verification now prevents hours of troubleshooting later.

Every iPhone user who goes through this process discovers that sideloading is far more accessible than it initially appears. The community is supportive, the tools are reliable, and the expanded capabilities you gain are genuinely transformative.

Ready to begin? Download Scarlet iOS now and work through this checklist step by step to unlock everything your iPhone is capable of.

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