FAQ
This is a list of frequently asked questions for SideStore. This has a list of common questions we get with our development of SideStore, and some questions that might want to be answered for different types of people, or for people having problems.
What is SideStore?
SideStore is an iOS application that allows you to sideload apps onto your iOS device using only your Apple ID. SideStore resigns apps with your personal development certificate, and then uses a specially designed VPN in order to trick iOS into installing them. SideStore will periodically "refresh" your apps in the background, to keep their normal 7-day development period from expiring. SideStore's goal is to provide an untethered sideloading experience. It's a community driven fork of AltStore, and has already implemented some of the community's most-requested features. You only need a computer once during installation.
(Contributions are welcome! 🙂)
Can I activate JIT?
For users using iOS or iPadOS 16 or lower, you can activate JIT directly from the SideStore 'My Apps' page by holding down on your app and selecting 'Enable JIT'.
Users on iOS or iPadOS 17 or higher will need to use a solution such as SideJITServer.
When will SideStore release?
SideStore currently does not have a release date, but is in a public beta state.
Can you sideload apps at the moment?
Yes you can, just like AltStore!
Does this have AltStore beta features?
We do have AltStore beta features, but it isn't always latest. We try to keep up to date, or implement them in our own way if it's necessary.
Will having the VPN on drain my battery?
It does not, as it's only connecting to your own device. No remote servers are used, meaning no external connections, meaning no extra battery drain.
Will the VPN track me?
It does not, as there is no remote server used.
I cannot connect to the internet when the VPN is on
Make sure you don't have an alternate DNS set up in your Wi-Fi and WireGuard configuration. If you know the DNS IP address works, then try removing it from your Wi-Fi configuration and adding it into the WireGuard config under DNS.
Updating SideStore hangs towards the end
Go to the homescreen for it to finish. We don't know why this happens, but it might have to do with using a VPN to direct installd to refresh SideStore (itself).
Can I sign more than 3 apps to be active?
Normally, no, as that’s an iOS and developer account limitation. Apple only allows 3 apps to be installed using a free Apple Developer account.
To remove this restriction (and also get a 365 day expiry), you can pay for a $99/year Apple Developer account.
Alternatively, there is currently a nightly build available here (version 0.5.9-nightly.2024.10.23.1+1e969a0 as of writing) that utilizes the SparseRestore exploit to bypass the 3-app limit. Currently, this only works on iOS versions below 18 dev beta 5 plus 18.0.1 for definite.
A tutorial for using this can be found here.
I have a problem or bug or request for a feature or quality of life improvement
Please make a GitHub issue on our GitHub page to make a bug report or feature request (with appropriate labels)!
I am a developer, how does this affect me?
It doesn’t affect you directly, other than maybe an update to AltKit when/if we get our additions.
Do I need to update my app to support this?
Nope, as currently it acts like AltStore while signing.
As a user, I’m having trouble logging into SideStore. I get an error
There are many reasons this can happen, but the most common issue is a temporary Anisette server downtime. You can currently change the Anisette server on your device’s Settings app in SideStore under “Anisette URL”.
Is SideStore going to have a Storefront?
We currently have a Community Source! Source URL: https://community-apps.sidestore.io/sidecommunity.json
We also have a service called SideStore Connect which allows devs to publish their own apps.
Why does my app have an update called "pacer test"?
This was a test update to see if there were problems between major versions, and shouldn’t be seen during normal use. If you see this issue, and it’s after release, then reinstall SideStore or report it as a bug.
Why do my JIT based apps not automatically activate JIT?
We currently don’t have an automatic JIT activation method, and if we do you would need the SideStore VPN on.
Does SideStore have an iPadOS UI?
We sure do!
I saw an iMac or MacBook Pro get added to my account. Is it safe, and is it a real Mac?
These Macs are not real, and they are automatically generated by the Anisette server to assist with login. No private data is sent to the Anisette server either, as the data the server gives is used on SideStore only.
Why is my account getting locked when I use SideStore?
Older Anisette servers that are used by many users are known to cause locking of Apple ID's. Please use one of the official Anisette servers, or host your own anisette-v3-server.
Why do I get error -36607?
This is a login issue with the Anisette server. There isn’t really much of any info about it other than changing Anisette servers sometimes helps, or you can keep trying to login until it does.
Can I transfer my AltStore/Sideloady apps?
Yes, just don’t remove the original app on your device. Go into SideStore and sideload the same or updated IPA, and it should be added to your list of apps within SideStore with your data still intact.
Why do I need to refresh SideStore first thing after login?
This is because AltServer or other programs sideload SideStore with their own app groupID, while we use our own. Refreshing SideStore changes it to ours, which makes apps disappear as their groupIDs are not updated. It’s best to not sideload anything before refreshing SideStore on a clean install.
Can I do OTA updates?
Yep! Just click the update button!
I want to test a SideStore version, and I want my data to stay when switching to a test version. Do I remove my app or sideload the test version via SideStore?
You can sideload via SideStore and your data should be the same. We don’t have an enrollment toggle to go to other versions. We also cannot guarantee your data transfers when testing an unofficial or nightly build.
My apps disappeared and I don't know what to do
Don't panic! Re-sideload the apps without removing them from your device, and your data should be fine. Unfortunately it's possible that your deactivated apps are gone, but to confirm that just refresh SideStore to see if they come back.
I'm unable to select my pairing file with any file type
Make sure your pairing file's extension ends with .mobiledevicepairing or .plist. If it doesn't, double check to see if you had zipped your pairing file before sending it to your phone. Failing to do so may lead to the file being corrupted during transport. Also, when signing Sidestore with a certificate, you won't be able to select the pairing file from within app. You can try moving the pairing file to the root directory of the SideStore folder in the Files app in "On My iPhone/iPad", and naming it ALTPairingFile.mobiledevicepairing. If you do not see the Sidestore folder in the files app, connect your phone to your computer, and you can drag and drop the pairing file to the files of the Sidestore app. Ensure to change it to name mentioned above. Note that it is case sensitive.
Cannot start DebugServer
There is times when the Debugserver doesn't work. However, there is a fix you can try.
Make a new pairing file
To start the process of using a new pairing file you go to settings tab and click Reset Pairing file, and you accept the prompt. Then you just follow the Pairing File instructions.
Currently Known issues
If you're currently having issues and want to know if we already know about them. Then check out our GitHub issue page which has a list of known issues and ways to mitigate some of the issues you might be having. Some of the issues in this list might be known that are not there, but are in the GitHub issues section. https://github.com/SideStore/SideStore/issues/490
If you have any issues that aren't in this list. Just make a GitHub issue or join our discord.