Sideload IPAs with your Apple Developer Account

If you have an Apple Developer account and a Mac with Xcode installed, you can install third-party IPAs on your iPhone. This is particularly useful for testing patched versions of popular apps or installing public app builds that aren’t available through the App Store.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

  • An active Apple Developer account
  • A Mac with Xcode installed
  • An iPhone with a USB cable for connection
  • The IPA file you want to install

Part 1: Signing the IPA

Step 1: Register Your Device

  1. Navigate to the Apple Developer account page and sign in with your credentials
  2. Go to Devices and click the plus (+) button to add a new device
  3. Enter your device information:
    • Device Name: Choose any descriptive name (e.g., “My iPhone 15”)
    • Device Identifier (UDID): Find this in Xcode by going to Window → Devices and Simulators and selecting your connected device

Step 2: Create an App ID

  1. Navigate to Identifiers
  2. Click the plus (+) button to create a new App ID
  3. Select App IDs as the identifier type
  4. Configure your App ID:
    • Description: Enter a descriptive name for your app
    • Bundle ID: Select Explicit and choose a unique identifier (e.g., com.yourname.myapp)
  5. Click Continue and then Register

Step 3: Create a Provisioning Profile

  1. Go to Profiles
  2. Click the plus (+) button to create a new provisioning profile
  3. Select Ad Hoc as the distribution type
  4. Choose the App ID you created in Step 2
  5. Select the devices you want to include (at minimum, select the device you registered in Step 1)
  6. Give your profile a descriptive name and click Generate
  7. Download the provisioning profile to your Mac

Step 4: Sign the IPA

  1. Download iOS App Signer if you haven’t already
  2. Launch iOS App Signer
  3. Configure the signing settings:
    • Signing Certificate: Select your Apple Developer certificate
    • Provisioning Profile: Choose the profile you downloaded in Step 3
    • Input File: Select the IPA file you want to sign
  4. Click Start to begin the signing process
  5. Save the signed IPA to a convenient location on your Mac

Part 2: Installing the IPA on Your iPhone

Step 1: Enable Developer Mode on Your iPhone

  1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable
  2. Open Xcode on your Mac
  3. In Xcode, go to Window → Devices and Simulators
  4. Select your iPhone from the left sidebar
  5. If developer mode is not enabled, you’ll see a prompt. Follow these steps on your iPhone:
    • Open Settings
    • Navigate to Privacy & Security → Developer Mode
    • Toggle Developer Mode on
    • Restart your iPhone when prompted

Step 2: Install the Signed IPA

  1. After your iPhone restarts, reconnect it to your Mac
  2. Open Xcode and go to Window → Devices and Simulators
  3. Select your iPhone from the left sidebar
  4. In the Installed Apps section, click the plus (+) button
  5. Navigate to and select your signed IPA file
  6. Wait for the installation to complete

Your app should now appear on your iPhone’s home screen and be ready to use.

Troubleshooting

App won’t install: Verify that your device is properly registered in your developer account and included in the provisioning profile.

Certificate errors: Ensure your developer certificate is valid and properly installed in your Mac’s Keychain.

App crashes on launch: The IPA may be incompatible with your iOS version, or it may have dependencies that aren’t met on your device.

“Untrusted Developer” message: Go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management on your iPhone and trust your developer profile.

Notes

  • Apps signed with a free Apple Developer account will expire after 7 days and need to be re-signed
  • Paid Apple Developer accounts provide apps that remain valid for 1 year
  • You can install apps on up to 100 devices with an Ad Hoc provisioning profile
  • Developer Mode must remain enabled on your iPhone to run sideloaded apps