If you’ve enviously looked at Android users and their customization features in the past, fear not. The AltStore is now available to iPhone users in the EU and EEA. With this marketplace, you can download a broad selection of apps for a small annual fee. Today, we’ll show you how to use the AltStore on iOS and cover all the essential information.
What Is the AltStore?
The AltStore is, as its name suggests, an alternative place to download apps for your iPhone. It has actually been around for a while, but before iOS 17.4, you’d have to bypass Apple restrictions.
You can purchase an AltStore subscription for €1.50 ($1.65) per year, plus tax, if you’re based in the EU.
What Can You Do in the AltStore?
At the time of this writing, you can download two apps from the iOS AltStore: Delta and Clip. Delta lets you play retro games on your iPhone, such as Skipp and Friends and Castle 64.
Meanwhile, Clip is a clipboard management tool. You can use the app to clip essential pieces of text, along with images and URLs that you’d like to quickly refer to when needed.
The AltStore’s lack of apps in the EEA isn’t too surprising; the App Store is much more established, and it’ll likely take a long time for companies to develop their tools for the AltStore. However, you’ll probably see more apps get added in the future.
In addition to downloading apps, you can also access the latest AltStore news on your iPhone.
Tip: If you are planning to play old classic games on your iPhone, here are some of the best Game Boy Advance emulators for iOS.
How to Install the AltStore on Your iPhone
Before you can use AltStore apps on your iOS device, you have to sign up for and download the AltStore itself. The steps below will help you do that.
1. Visit the AltStore website.
2. Scroll down until you see Downloads, and select the payment button under AltStore PAL.
3. Enter your payment details.
Note: If you haven’t previously given your device permission to download apps from the web, you’ll have to go to your Settings app and give the AltStore permission. The message will appear under your Apple ID.
4. Go back to the webpage and download the AltStore. If you need to, press Allow again to give permission for all apps.
5. Confirm that you’d like to install the AltStore.
If you want to adjust other areas of your device, you can start with your Lock Screen. We have a full guide on how to customize your iPhone or iPad Lock Screen if that’s of interest to you.
How to Download and Use Your AltStore Apps
Downloading and using your AltStore apps is almost identical to the Apple’s official App Store.
1. Go to the app you want to download and look for the FREE button (if it’s a paid app, this will be replaced with the subscription cost).
2. Confirm that you want to download the app by selecting Install [App Name].
3. Wait for the app to download and access it via your Home Screen.
It’s worth noting that you can only have a maximum of three apps from the AltStore active at any given time.
How to Install the AltStore Via Your Mac
If you aren’t based in the EU, you can still install alternative apps to your iPhone via the AltStore Windows and Mac apps. Unlike the version you can download from your iPhone, it’s free (you can also download the AltStore’s free version if you live in the EU).
Here are the steps you should follow for Mac:
1. Download AltServer on your Mac.
2. Launch AltServer. It’ll now appear as an icon in the menu bar.
3. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer and make sure each is unlocked. If the phone or iPad asks to “Trust” the computer, tap Trust to continue.
4. Click on the AltStore icon and select Install AltStore > [iPhone Name].
5. Enter your Apple ID login details. After confirming these, you’ll see the AltStore on your iPhone.
How to Install the AltStore Via Your Windows Computer
Before you install for Windows, it’s important to make sure you have iTunes and iCloud installed. The most important step here is to make sure you install the software directly from Apple and not from the Microsoft Store. You can get iTunes and iCloud here. After those downloads are complete, follow the next steps.
1. Download AltServer for Windows.
2. Extract the downloaded “AltInstaller.zip” file anywhere on your desktop.
3. Double-click on the “setup.exe” file and continue with the installation instructions.
4. Connect your iPhone or iPad. Like with the Mac, you may be required to click on Trust to continue.
5. Search for AltServer and select Run as administrator.
6. Open iTunes and tick the box next to Sync this iPhone over Wi-Fi.
7. Go to the AltStore app, select Install AltStore -> [Your iPhone Name].
Enter your Apple ID email and password. Give it a few seconds, and then AltStore should appear as an app on your device.
Note: If you’re based outside the EU/EEA, you’ll have to “update” your iOS software every seven days to continue using your downloaded apps.
Downloading the AltStore on Your iPhone Is Very Easy, Regardless of Your Location
If you’re based in the EU or EEA, it’s very easy to download the PAL version of the AltStore. At €1.50 per year, it’s also very affordable. However, you can also download the AltStore elsewhere (though you’ll need to update your apps every seven days).
There are several other interesting ways to customize your iPhone, too, such as creating Safari profiles on your device.
Image credit: DALL-E. All screenshots by Danny Maiorca.
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