A game from the App Store and the same game sideloaded as an IPA run the same code. What is different is who signed it, and that affects updates, saves, purchases and safety.
At a glance
| App Store install | Sideloaded IPA | |
|---|---|---|
| Signed by | Apple | You (Apple ID or developer account) |
| Reviewed by Apple | Yes | No |
| Expires | Never | 7 days (free) / 1 year (paid) |
| Automatic updates | Yes | No, you install new IPAs yourself |
| iCloud saves & Game Center | Yes | Often broken if the bundle ID changes |
| Push notifications | Yes | Often missing |
| In-app purchases | Yes, with refunds via Apple | Unreliable |
| Family Sharing / Screen Time limits | Full support | Screen Time works, Family Sharing does not |
| App limit | None | 3 active (free Apple ID) |
| Can install non-Store apps | No | Yes |
When the App Store is the better choice
- The game is available there. Most are, and they are free.
- You play online and want your account, purchases and cloud saves to work.
- You want automatic updates and zero maintenance.
- The device belongs to a child.
That is why every game page on this site links to the official App Store listing wherever one exists.
When an IPA is the better choice
- Apps that are not in the App Store: open-source ports, homebrew and some emulators.
- Developer betas and test builds that a developer has sent you.
- Your own projects that you are testing on your phone.
- An older version of an app you legitimately own, kept as a backup.
The safety difference
Apple reviews App Store apps and can remotely disable malicious ones. A sideloaded IPA gets no review. iOS still sandboxes it, but whether it is safe depends on where it came from. Read are IPA files safe? before you sideload anything from an unfamiliar source.
Frequently asked questions
Is sideloading an IPA illegal?
Sideloading itself is not illegal, and Apple provides free developer signing for exactly this. Distributing or installing paid apps you do not own is copyright infringement.
Are in-app purchases possible in sideloaded apps?
Sometimes, but they are unreliable. Purchases are tied to the original app's signature, so they may fail or be rejected. Buy in-app items only in App Store versions.
Which is faster, a sideloaded app or the App Store version?
They perform the same. The code is identical. Only the signature differs.
Keep reading
BasicsWhat Is an IPA File?What an IPA file is, what is inside it, why it has to be signed, and how an IPA differs f…
SafetyAre IPA Files Safe?Is it safe to install an IPA on your iPhone? See the real risks, how the iOS sandbox prot…
InstallSideload Games on iPhoneA practical guide to sideloading games on iPhone: picking a method, handling large game f…
