IPAForge 0.1.0-alpha.1

The first alpha of IPAForge, for testing. It installs SideStore and your own apps onto an iPhone or iPad from Windows, macOS or Linux. Expect rough edges. Please report what breaks, with Logs attached (see below).

What you can do

• Install SideStore, or LiveContainer with SideStore, from the Stable or Nightly channel. The pairing file and your signing certificate are placed in it automatically.
• Preload apps: drop .ipa files on the window, choose them, add a direct .ipa link, or pick from the catalog (LiveContainer, StikDebug, Feather). Each app is checked before anything changes, then they all install in one run.
• Apple IDs: sign in with two-factor authentication, using a trusted device, Send a new code, or a text message instead. Several Apple IDs can be saved, with a quick switch when one is blocked on a device.
• Devices: USB and Wi-Fi devices are listed, with what to do when one is locked, untrusted or has Developer Mode off.
• When something fails: a recovery screen with the fixes that apply, Copy diagnostics, Show logs and a pre-filled GitHub issue.
• Logs (⌘L or Ctrl+L): what the app did, searchable.
• Six languages (English, German, Romanian, Russian, Arabic, Japanese) and six colour themes.

Download

Your computer	File
Mac with Apple silicon (M1 and later)	IPAForge-0.1.0-alpha.1-mac-arm64.dmg
Mac with Intel	IPAForge-0.1.0-alpha.1-mac-x64.dmg
Windows 10/11 (also runs on Windows on Arm)	IPAForge-0.1.0-alpha.1-win-x64.exe
Linux, any distribution	IPAForge-0.1.0-alpha.1-linux-x86_64.AppImage (or -arm64)
Debian, Ubuntu	IPAForge-0.1.0-alpha.1-linux-amd64.deb
Fedora, openSUSE	IPAForge-0.1.0-alpha.1-linux-x86_64.rpm

SHA256SUMS.txt lists every file's checksum.

Opening it: this alpha isn't signed yet

Code signing comes before the first beta. Until then, your system warns the first time you open IPAForge:

• macOS: open the DMG and drag IPAForge to Applications. Opening it says Apple can't check it for malicious software; click Done. Then go to System Settings › Privacy & Security, scroll to "IPAForge" was blocked, and click Open Anyway. From Terminal, xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/IPAForge.app does the same.
• macOS keychain: IPAForge keeps your saved Apple IDs encrypted, with the key in one keychain item of its own, IPAForge Safe Storage. After an update, macOS may ask for your login password before IPAForge can read it again; click Always Allow. Click Deny and IPAForge still works, but forgets your Apple IDs when it quits.
• Windows: SmartScreen says it protected your PC. Click More info › Run anyway.
• Linux: for the AppImage, chmod +x IPAForge-*.AppImage and run it. For a package, sudo apt install ./IPAForge-*.deb or sudo dnf install ./IPAForge-*.rpm.

What you need

• Windows: Apple Devices from the Microsoft Store (or iTunes), so Windows can talk to the iPhone.
• Linux: usbmuxd from your package manager.
• Every system:
  • an Apple ID (a free one works);
  • an iPhone or iPad on iOS 15 or later, with a passcode;
  • a USB cable that carries data;
  • Developer Mode on, on iOS 16 and later. IPAForge shows the steps.

Known limitations

• No automatic updates yet: download the next alpha from GitHub.
• No first-run setup guide yet. Start on Install, which says what to fix first.
• App sources (AltStore-format lists) and an Installed apps page come in the next alphas.
• Wi-Fi works for devices already paired over USB; pairing over Wi-Fi comes later.

Reporting a problem

Open Logs (⌘L or Ctrl+L), switch on Include debug details, try again, then use Save… and attach the file to a new issue. Logs never contain passwords, tokens or device identifiers, but they do name your device model, apps and team, so check before posting. When an install fails, Report the problem opens an issue with the diagnostics filled in.