How to Sideload iOS Apps Without Jailbreaking Using iEmulators

Note: This post was first published on April 8, 2014.

Apple imposes several restrictions on apps available in the App Store, notably prohibiting video game emulators, BitTorrent clients, and screen recorders. Traditionally, the only way to install these types of apps on your iOS device was by jailbreaking it.

However, there is an alternative method to sideload apps without jailbreaking, by utilizing Apple’s Enterprise Certificate. This certificate allows companies to sideload their private apps. By obtaining one, developers can easily install non-Apple-approved apps on iOS devices.

Leveraging this method, many developers have started releasing apps outside of the App Store. A website called iEmulators.com has gathered these apps and provides a way to install them on your iOS device directly through a web browser. Below, we’ll guide you on how to easily sideload an app on your device.

Steps to Sideload iOS Apps

First, navigate to the iEmulators home page using your iOS device. From there, select an app you wish to download. Open the app’s page and tap “Download” or follow the provided link if it leads to an external site. If prompted, confirm your download.

If the download does not start, you may need to adjust your device’s Date & Time settings (instructions in the next section), and then try pressing “Download” again.

Adjusting Date & Time Settings

Note: After downloading the app but before opening it, you must change the date & time settings on your iOS device. The operating system verifies if the app uses a valid enterprise certificate based on the certificate’s timestamp. This date may vary depending on the app (refer to the specific app’s instructions for the correct date to set).

To change the date, go to Settings > General > Date & Time. Turn off Set Automatically and manually set an earlier date. Then, open the app. Once the app is running, toggle Set Automatically back ON to restore your device to the current date.

If everything is done correctly, your newly sideloaded app should now be available on your non-jailbroken iOS device. If the app stops working, you may need to set your device’s time back to 2012 and reopen the app. This step may need to be repeated occasionally to keep the app functioning.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should now have a sideloaded app on your iOS device. The iEmulators site offers a variety of video game emulators and other useful apps, such as BitTorrent clients, that you can install without jailbreaking. Keep in mind that installation might not always work on the first try, so persistence is key. While it’s not a perfect solution, it’s currently the best way to sideload apps on iOS without jailbreaking.