How to Install LiveContainer + SideStore (Bypass the 3-App Limit)

LiveContainer + SideStore is the most flexible way to sideload on iPhone and iPad without paying for a developer account. SideStore installs and refreshes apps on the device. LiveContainer runs other apps inside itself, so they do not count toward the free 3-app limit. Set it up once and keep as many games as your storage allows.

What are SideStore and LiveContainer?

SideStore installs .ipa files on your device and refreshes them using a local VPN. LiveContainer runs iOS apps without installing them one by one. Because a free Apple ID allows only 3 installed apps, a special LiveContainer build that includes SideStore is used: one slot for LiveContainer, one spare slot, and unlimited apps inside LiveContainer.

The method uses community-made tools and Apple-approved sideloading, and needs a computer only for the initial setup. For plain SideStore, see the SideStore guide.

What you need

• Computer: iTunes (Windows only) and iloader.
• iPhone / iPad: LocalDevVPN from the App Store.
• An Apple ID (a separate one for sideloading is recommended) and a USB cable.

Step 1: Install SideStore with iloader

1. Open iloader, choose Add Account + and sign in with your Apple ID.
2. Plug in your iPhone or iPad. Press Refresh Devices if it does not show up.
3. Under Devices, select your device.
4. Under Installers, choose SideStore (Stable) and wait for the install to finish.

Step 2: Set up SideStore

1. Go to Settings › General › VPN & Device Management, tap your Apple ID email and Trust it.
2. Go to Settings › Privacy & Security, scroll to Security and turn on Developer Mode (iOS 16+). Follow the prompts and let the device restart.
3. Open LocalDevVPN and tap Connect. Allow the VPN configuration and enter your passcode.
4. Open SideStore › My Apps and tap 7 DAYS next to SideStore.
5. Sign in with the same Apple ID you used in iloader.

SideStore now works as a normal sideloading app and also supports AltStore sources. If you only want SideStore you can stop here, but you will have just 2 free slots. Continue to get LiveContainer.

Step 3: Switch to LiveContainer + SideStore

1. On the device, download the latest LiveContainer + SideStore IPA from the LiveContainer download page. Stable is recommended; Nightly is for testers.
2. In SideStore, open My Apps, tap + (top-left) and select the downloaded LiveContainer+SideStore.ipa.
3. When prompted, choose Keep App Extensions (Use Main Profile). Wait for the install, then open LiveContainer.
4. Tap the SideStore icon (top-left) in LiveContainer. When asked for the pairing file, go to On My iPhone/iPad › SideStore and pick ALTPairingFile.mobiledevicepairing.
5. Open My Apps and tap 7 DAYS next to LiveContainer. Sign in with the same Apple ID and wait for the refresh.
6. Delete the standalone SideStore app.
7. Close and reopen LiveContainer. Go to Settings › Import Certificate From SideStore and confirm.
8. Tap JIT-Less Mode Diagnose › Test JIT-Less Mode. The test should pass.

How to use it

• Apps installed inside LiveContainer do not count toward the 3-app limit.
• Apps installed with SideStore, even from inside LiveContainer, do count toward the limit.
• Turn on LocalDevVPN before installing or refreshing.
• LiveContainer (Nightly) can also load AltStore-style sources inside the app.
• Refresh every 7 days. You can automate this with the Shortcuts app and Automations.

Troubleshooting

• Can't install or refresh: LocalDevVPN is off or another VPN is active. Turn it on and disable other VPNs.
• Pairing file not found: open the Files app › On My iPhone › SideStore. If it is missing, redo Step 1 with iloader.
• JIT-Less test fails: run Import Certificate From SideStore again, then re-test.
• On iOS 26.4: this method does not work yet. Wait for an updated guide.
• Support: LiveContainer + SideStore bundles an older SideStore nightly. Ask in the LiveContainer GitHub issues or the #support-forum on the SideStore Discord, not the normal SideStore channels.
• Other errors: see why an IPA installation fails.

Credits and links

These tools are built by volunteers, so please support them. Based on the guide by eli (sinceohsix), proof-read by suprstarrd: original guide.

• SideStore docs · GitHub · website
• LiveContainer docs · GitHub
• iloader