Best iOS sideloading apps in 2026: Feather, KSign, ESign, Sideloadly, AltStore, TrollStore
Compare the main ways to sideload apps on iPhone in 2026 — on-device signers (Feather, KSign, ESign), desktop tools (Sideloadly, AltStore) and TrollStore — and which need a certificate.
There are more ways than ever to install apps outside the App Store. The right one depends on your iOS version, whether you own a computer, and how much patience you have for 7-day expiries.
| Tool | Runs on | Needs a computer | Expiry | Certificate needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feather | iPhone / iPad | No | Until cert expiry | Yes (P12) |
| KSign | iPhone / iPad | No | Until cert expiry | Yes (P12) |
| ESign | iPhone / iPad | No | Until cert expiry | Yes (P12) |
| LiveContainer | iPhone / iPad | No | Until cert expiry | Yes (eligible P12) |
| Sideloadly | Windows / macOS | Yes | 7 days (Apple ID) or cert expiry (.p12) | Optional |
| AltStore / SideStore | iPhone + AltServer | Yes, for refresh | 7 days | No (free Apple ID) |
| TrollStore | iOS 14.0–16.6.1 & 17.0 only | No | Never | No |
On-device signers (Feather, KSign, ESign)
The most convenient category. Import a certificate once, then sign and install unlimited IPAs from the phone. Read the guides: Feather, KSign, ESign.
Desktop tools (Sideloadly, AltStore)
Free with an Apple ID, but apps expire every 7 days and you are limited to 3. Sideloadly can also use a P12 certificate to remove those limits.
TrollStore
If your device is on a vulnerable iOS version (14.0–16.6.1 or 17.0), TrollStore installs apps permanently with no certificate at all. Everyone else — including all iOS 17.1+ and iOS 18 users — needs a certificate.
Our recommendation
Get a developer certificate and use Feather. It's on-device, has no app limit, and lemoncert can install it with the certificate already loaded in one tap. Get a certificate.