AppCake, a free alternative to Apple's built-in App Store, works on both jailbroken and unjailbroken iPhones and iPads. You can use AppCake to search for a variety of apps and games that aren't available in the regular App Store, as well as tweaked versions of familiar apps with features that aren't available in the regular version. This wikiHow teaches you how to download apps through AppCake, as well as how to use AppCake to side-load apps you download from other sources.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Installing Apps from AppCake Store
Step 1. Open AppCake on your iPhone or iPad
This app is marked by a blue and white star icon. A list of popular downloadable apps will load. If you haven't already installed AppCake on your device, read the article on how to install AppCake to learn how first.
Apps downloaded and installed from sources other than Apple's built-in App Store are not scanned or inspected by Apple. Be careful when downloading and installing apps via AppCake as you may encounter copyrighted and/or malware content
Step 2. Enable "Automatically Install"
With this option, you can install the file immediately after downloading it at a later time. To activate the feature, touch “ Settings ” in the lower right corner of the AppCake window and toggle the “Automatically Install” switch to the on or “On” position.
Step 3. Search for the app
By default, AppCake will show the tab “ Latest " first. This tab contains the most recent apps that have entered the app store. You can touch the tab " Categories ” at the bottom of the screen to browse apps by category, or search for a specific app using the search bar at the top of the screen.
Step 4. Touch the app you find interesting
Further information about the application (eg description, size, download statistics and version number) will be displayed.
Step 5. Touch Install to get the app
It's in the upper-right corner of the information page. AppCake will automatically download and install the required files, and display the app icon on your device's home screen after installation is complete.
Method 2 of 2: Installing Apps from IPA File
Step 1. Visit a trusted IPA file download site via Safari
First, if you haven't installed AppCake yet, read the article on how to install AppCake to find out how first. Regardless of whether you are using the jailbroken version of AppCake or not, you will side-load the app in the same procedure. Some of the popular sites recommended by members of the popular “/r/sideloaded” subforum on Reddit are Appdb, iPASpot, and iOS Ninja. However, apart from these three, there are many other sites that you can visit. Make sure you thoroughly research the selected download site before downloading any content or files from that site.
- Apps downloaded and installed from sources other than Apple's built-in App Store are not scanned or inspected by Apple. Be careful when downloading and installing apps through AppCake as you may encounter copyrighted and/or malware content.
- If you already have an IPA file on your device, open the app Files and find the file (it may be in the “ On My iPhone ” > “ Downloads "). After that, move on to step five.
Step 2. Touch the link/button to download the IPA file
Each site has a different interface so the location of the download options/buttons may not be the same. When you touch the right link, you can see the message " Do you want to download (filename)? ".
Some sites, including Appdb display an "Install" button, and not just a download option. Make sure you download the file, and not install it directly from the website. The site's built-in installation feature uses apps other than AppCake
Step 3. Touch Download to confirm
The file will be downloaded immediately. You can see a progress bar at the top of the screen.
Step 4. Touch the downloaded file in Safari
The files will be displayed in the “Downloads” folder.
You can also access the “Downloads” folder by opening the app Files and go to the directory " On My iPhone ” > “ Downloads ”.
Step 5. Touch and hold the IPA file
The menu will expand afterwards.
Step 6. Touch Share
This option is at the bottom of the menu. Several sharing options will be shown at the bottom of the screen.
Step 7. Swipe the icon list all the way to the end and tap More
This three-dot icon is at the end of the list. After that, a list of applications and additional options will be displayed.
Step 8. Tap Copy to AppCake under the "Suggestions" heading
AppCake will be opened and the "File Import" window will be displayed.
Step 9. Touch Yes to import the file
The IPA file will be added to the “Downloads” segment which is directly opened in the AppCake application.
Step 10. Touch the IPA file and select Install
AppCake will install the selected app to your iPhone or iPad. Once installed, the app icon will be added to the device's home screen.
Warning
- It may take some time for app developers to update their apps to make them work on the latest iOS versions.
- If you're having trouble opening AppCake or downloading files on a non-jailbroken iPhone or iPad, the problem may be that Apple has rejected the app's certificate. If this kind of problem occurs, wait a few days (sometimes weeks or months) for AppCake to get a new certificate.
- Apple does not support jailbreaking procedures and offers support for Cydia, AppCake, or other apps that you install through these sources. If your iPhone or iPad stops working after you jailbreak or install apps from AppCake, look for articles on how to remove or unjailbreak or try to restore your phone or tablet to its factory/default settings. Removal of the jailbreak can restore Apple's warranty, as well as resolve software problems caused by the jailbreak.
