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Daniel Nylander edited this page Aug 4, 2026 · 5 revisions

Installing on iOS

OpenCaptive is not on the App Store. You install it by sideloading the IPA file using AltStore, SideStore, or other sideloading tools.

Download

Download OpenCaptive-ios-arm64.ipa from GitHub Releases.

What is sideloading?

Sideloading means installing an app outside of the App Store. Apple allows this with limitations:

  • Free Apple ID: apps expire after 7 days and must be re-signed. Maximum 3 active sideloaded apps.
  • Apple Developer account ($99/year): apps last 1 year. No app limit.
  • EU (iOS 17.4+): alternative app marketplaces may allow direct installation.

Method 1: AltStore (recommended)

AltStore is the most widely used sideloading tool. It requires a computer (Mac or Windows) to install.

Setup

  1. Download AltServer on your Mac or Windows PC
  2. Install AltStore to your iPhone/iPad via AltServer:
    • Mac: AltServer appears in the menu bar. Connect your device via USB or Wi-Fi, click the AltServer icon, and select Install AltStore > [Your Device]
    • Windows: Run AltServer, connect via USB, and install AltStore through the system tray icon
  3. On your device, trust the developer profile: Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > [Your Apple ID] > Trust

Install OpenCaptive

  1. Download OpenCaptive-ios-arm64.ipa to your device (or transfer from computer)
  2. Open AltStore on your device
  3. Go to My Apps tab
  4. Tap + and select the IPA file
  5. AltStore will sign and install the app

Refreshing (free accounts)

With a free Apple ID, apps expire after 7 days. AltStore can auto-refresh if:

  • AltServer is running on your computer
  • Your device and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network
  • Background refresh is enabled in AltStore settings

Method 2: SideStore

SideStore is a fork of AltStore that can refresh apps without a computer after initial setup, using a WireGuard VPN loopback.

  1. Install SideStore following their setup guide
  2. Import the IPA via the SideStore app
  3. Apps refresh automatically via the VPN loopback

Method 3: Sideloadly

Sideloadly is a desktop-only tool (no on-device app):

  1. Download and install Sideloadly on your Mac or Windows PC
  2. Connect your device via USB
  3. Drag the IPA file into Sideloadly
  4. Enter your Apple ID and sign
  5. Trust the profile on your device

Method 4: Apple Configurator (Mac only)

For managed devices or developer accounts:

  1. Open Apple Configurator 2 (free from Mac App Store)
  2. Connect your device via USB
  3. Drag the IPA onto the device in Apple Configurator

Method 5: Xcode (developers)

If you have Xcode and an Apple Developer account:

xcrun devicectl device install app --device <UDID> OpenCaptive-ios-arm64.ipa

Or open the project in Xcode and build directly to your device.

Game data

On iOS, place your game data in the app's Documents folder:

Documents/OpenCaptive/
  CAPTIVE.ZIP
  LIBERATION.ISO

You can transfer files via:

  • Files app: browse to OpenCaptive's documents
  • iTunes/Finder file sharing: connect via USB, select OpenCaptive, drag files in
  • AirDrop: share files to the Files app, then move to the OpenCaptive folder

Files are identified by SHA-256 content hash, not filename.

Troubleshooting

Problem Solution
"Untrusted Developer" Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > Trust
App crashes on launch Ensure game data is in the correct folder
AltStore can't find device Enable Wi-Fi sync in Finder/iTunes, or use USB
App expired (7-day limit) Refresh via AltStore/SideStore, or get a developer account
"Maximum 3 apps" Remove one sideloaded app, or use a developer account

System requirements

  • iOS 15.0 or later
  • iPhone or iPad (arm64)
  • Original game data files (not included)

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