Are you looking for alternative ways to download apps without using an Apple ID? Do you want to stay legal but bypass the system to get apps for your iPhone? Do you want to overcome the loss of the App Store on iTunes?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this tutorial is for you. I am going to discuss how to install apps without iTunes and without jailbreaking your iPhone.
The headline came from feedback we received about the loss of the App Store in version 12.7 of iTunes. While you can still download as many apps as you want directly to your device, those who have multiple devices don’t want to have to keep downloading the same app multiple times.
While the actual issue relates to the App Store, many of the comments were about Apple ID. I understand that you want to load apps like you used to before the App Store disappeared and without entering your Apple ID.
Goodbye app store
Things used to be so simple as an Apple device owner. You purchased your iPhone or iPad, installed iTunes, set up an account, got your Apple ID, and linked your iPhone and/or iPad to your account.
Then you had a complete, self-sufficient ecosystem where you could buy music and apps and load them on your devices with ease.
iOS 12.7 changed all that with the removal of the App Store. Where once you could download apps to your Mac and manage your mobile devices from there, now you have to download apps directly to your device. Good in some ways, but not so good in others. So what’s an iPhone or iPad owner to do?
You have three main options to overcome this problem:
- Use a third-party tool to download apps to your device.
- Jailbreak your iPhone or iPad so you can use alternative app stores.
- Use an older version of iTunes released by Apple that is still supported by the App Store.
I will analyze each of these options so you can choose the one that best suits you, although I recommend using
an older version of iTunes.
Use a third-party tool to upload apps to your device
There are many online tools that offer to download apps without using your Apple ID or iTunes. Some of them may work, while others may not. I tried many different ones and here are the best options I found.
tutu helper
One such alternative app store is Tutu Helper. Designed to be easy to use and as an alternative method to maximize the potential of an iPhone without having to jailbreak the device, Tutu helper allows you to install all types of applications. This is a great alternative to more cumbersome methods that could disrupt a device, such as jailbreaking.
Emu iOS
Another app that allows you to install whatever you want on your Apple device is iOS Emu. Like Tutu Helper, you don’t need to jailbreak your device to download apps that are not supported by Apple.
The advantage of using third-party tools is that you gain control of what you put on your device and how you use it. The downside to this approach is that you lose control over what is installed on your device and open your phone or tablet to malware. That is, using third-party tools to download and install applications poses a security risk.
The other disadvantage of using third-party tools is that your Apple ID is added to the app’s digital signature as it is installed.
Jailbreak your device so you can use alternative app stores
Jailbreaking is now easier than ever, and there are dozens of tools to guide you through the entire process. It takes less than fifteen minutes and lets you take control of your phone like Apple never intended.
The advantage is that you can use alternative app stores, install any app you want, and get access to the core iOS files. The downside is that jailbreaking voids your warranty and you don’t always know what you’re installing. If you’re paying $1,000 for an iPhone X, do you really want to void the warranty? Do you really want to risk malware? Jailbreaking your tips is not a good idea.
While the App Store ecosystem may be restrictive, it is so that Apple can ensure the quality and security of applications. You won’t get that with jailbroken apps.
Use an older version of iTunes released by Apple that is still supported by the App Store
The best alternative that will not void your warranty and keep your device secure is to use an older version of iTunes. In response to the outcry from millions of people lamenting the loss of the App Store in iTunes 12.7, Apple released iTunes 12.6.2.
Officially, the reason for the changes was to support businesses using iTunes to manage multiple devices, but anyone can use it. Here’s how you can deploy apps in an enterprise environment with iTunes:
- visit this page on the Apple website.
- Select the text link related to your computer’s operating system.
- Download iTunes 12.6.2 and install it.
- Connect, register and sync as you normally would.
This version of iTunes appears similar in almost every way to iTunes 12.7.
Using iTunes 12.6.2 is a much better alternative to jailbreaking or using third-party app installers. iTunes may be restrictive, but it’s entirely for our own benefit!
If you are an Apple device user, you may want to check out other TechJunke articles such asHow to cancel App Store subscriptions through iOS and iTunes eitherHow to use iPhone battery health and usage information with iOS 12.
Do you know any other ways to load apps without using an app loader or jailbreaking your device? If so, tell us below if you do!
