Developer(s) | Riley Testut |
---|---|
Initial release | 28 September 2019 |
Repository | |
Operating system | iOS, iPadOS, macOS |
Type | App store |
License | GNU Affero General Public License |
Website | altstore |
AltStore is an alternative app store for the iOS and iPadOS mobile operating systems, which allows users to download applications that are not available on the App Store, most commonly tweaked "++" apps, jailbreak apps, and apps including paid apps on the app store.[1] It was publicly announced on September 25, 2019, and launched on September 28.[2]
History
Riley Testut is an American developer that began to work on AltStore after Apple declined to allow his Nintendo emulator "Delta" on the App Store. Since Xcode allowed him to temporarily install his "Delta" App to his iOS device for 7 days of testing, he created AltStore in 2019 to replicate this functionality, which could be extended to other .ipa
files. As of 2022, AltStore had been downloaded 1.5 million times.[3]
Features
AltStore exploits a loophole in the Xcode developer platform, which allows developers to sideload their own apps which they are working on without needing to jailbreak. Sideloaded apps are signed like a developer project for testing and will expire after 7 days, by which they will need to be refreshed or reinstalled.
References
- ↑ Bhati, Naren (2023-11-01). "Best 15 Alternative App Stores For iOS and Android in 2023". Tech Blog | Mobile App, eCommerce, Salesforce Insights. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
- ↑ Testut, Riley; riley (2019-09-25). "Introducing AltStore". Riley Testut. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
- ↑ "AltStore". altstore.io. Retrieved 2023-12-16.