Last Edited: Dec 21, 2025 @ 6:34PM PST · Supports iOS versions 15.0 - 26.3 Beta
Make sure you are always using up-to-date guides to ensure full compatibility. The official SideStore documentation can be found here in case anything changes. For additional information and credits, scroll to the bottom of this page.
👋 Hello again, r/sideloaded!
This is version 2.0 of my iOS sideloading guide. By the end of this guide, you will be able to:
- Sideload apps using SideStore
- Use LiveContainer to workaround the 3-app-limit
This method uses community-made tools and Apple-approved sideloading methods, and only requires a computer for initial setup.
What are SideStore and LiveContainer?
SideStore is an app that allows you to install .ipa files (iOS Applications) to your iDevice. LiveContainer is an app that allows you to run iOS applications without installing them. Since iOS has a limit of 3 installed apps when sideloading using a free developer account, a special version of LiveContainer that integrates the SideStore app is available.
Here is what we will go over in this guide:
- Preparation
- Using iloader to install SideStore
- Setting up SideStore
- Switching to SideStore + LiveContainer
This guide assumes you don't already have SideStore or LiveContainer installed. If you do, you may encounter issues. If you want to follow this guide, uninstall your current SideStore and/or LiveContainer apps.
Before sideloading, we need to prepare your device and install the required software.
💻 On Your PC/Mac
📱 On Your iPhone / iPad
We will now install SideStore, this app allows you to sideload .ipa files to your iDevice. Start by launching iloader.
Step 1: Select Add Account + and sign into your Apple Account.
Step 2: Plug your iPhone / iPad into your computer. (You may need to press Refresh Devices).
Step 3: Under the Devices section, select the device you want to install SideStore to.
Step 4: Under the Installers section, select SideStore (Stable).
Now, just wait patiently. SideStore will be installed shortly. :)
Before you can use SideStore to install apps, you have to enable Developer Mode, allow apps from your Apple Account, and refresh SideStore.
Step 1: Open Settings, then go to General > VPN & Device Management.
Step 2: You should see the email of the Apple Account you used in iloader, tap on it, then trust the developer.
Step 3: Back out to the main Settings menu, then scroll to Privacy and Security.
Step 4: Scroll to Security, tap Developer Mode, then toggle it on. Follow the given directions. (Only for iOS 16.0+)
Step 5: Once your device restarts, open LocalDevVPN. Tap Connect.
ℹ️ LocalDevVPN is required for SideStore to install and refresh sideloaded apps. Make sure you're connected before trying to use SideStore!
Step 6: Tap Allow, then enter your passcode.
Step 7: Open SideStore, navigate to My Apps, then tap 7 DAYS next to SideStore.
Step 8: Login to the same Apple Account you used in iloader.
Once SideStore refreshes, you are free to sideload any .ipa file you want! SideStore has support for AltStore sources meaning you can add sources and use SideStore as a third party app store as well. You will need to enable LocalDevVPN before installing apps. You can stop here if you only want SideStore but you will only be able to install 2 additional apps, if you want to install LiveContainer + SideStore, continue to the next section.
Switching to SideStore + LiveContainer allows you to install .ipa files and run applications directly in the LiveContainer app while keeping SideStore functionality and two free app slots. We'll install the LiveContainer .ipa then inject our pairing file again with iloader.
Step 1: Download the latest LiveContainer + SideStore .ipa on your iDevice — Stable / Nightly
Stable is the latest recommended release. Nightly has cutting-edge features but may be more buggy. Nightly builds are not recommended for average users.
Step 2: Open SideStore, then go to My Apps. Tap the + in the top-left corner and select the downloaded LiveContainer+SideStore.ipa.
Step 3: When you see a prompt, tap Keep App Extensions (Use Main Profile). Wait for installation to finish, then open LiveContainer.
Step 4: Tap the SideStore icon in the top-left corner. When you're asked to select your pairing file, navigate to On My iPhone / iPad > SideStore and select ALTPairingFile.mobiledevicepairing.
Step 5: Navigate to My Apps, then tap 7 DAYS next to LiveContainer.
Step 6: Login to the same Apple Account you used in iloader. Wait for the app to refresh.
Step 7: Delete the standalone SideStore app.
Step 8: Close LiveContainer then open it again. Go to Settings, then tap Import Certificate From SideStore, and OK.
Step 9: Tap JIT-Less Mode Diagnose, then Test JIT-Less Mode. The test should pass.
You can now install as many apps as you want within LiveContainer. LiveContainer (Nightly) also has support for AltSources within the LiveContainer app itself!
Disclaimer:
LiveContainer + SideStore is bundled with an outdated nightly version of SideStore; this means you will encounter issues specific to LiveContainer + SideStore. For support, either open an issue on the LiveContainer GitHub repository or in the #support-forum channel on the SideStore Discord server. Please do not ask for support in the regular SideStore support channels.
Setup is complete and you can now install as many apps as you want using LiveContainer! For clarification, apps installed in LiveContainer will not contribute to the 3-app-limit, while installing apps with SideStore (even from LiveContainer) will count towards your 3-app-limit.
Keep in mind that sideloaded apps must be refreshed every 7 days or they will expire and you will need to follow this guide again. This process can be fully automated using the Shortcuts app and automations (I'll write a separate guide for this later on).
If you want a unique source of apps and games to try out, consider adding my source to SideStore or LiveContainer! You can find it at the link below:
https://sinceohsix.github.io/ipas/source.json
The software used in this guide was made by real people using hours, days, and weeks of their time, please make sure you are respectful to them and show support when you can.
For additional information and support regarding the tools and software used, their GitHub repositories, documentation sites, Discord servers, and other sites are all linked below. If you have questions or concerns, reach out in a support channel or open an issue.
Links:
SideStore Documentation
LiveContainer Documentation
nab138/iloader
LiveContainer/LiveContainer
SideStore/SideStore
SideStore Discord Server
idevice Discord Server
Also, special thanks to suprstarrd for helping out and proof-reading this for me!
- eli