Install from a Mac
You need your iPad, a USB cable for the first installation, and a free or paid Apple ID.
- Connect and trust your iPad. Unlock the iPad, connect it by USB, choose Trust if asked, and confirm that it appears under Locations in Finder. This pairing is what makes the Developer Mode switch appear.
- Turn on Developer Mode. Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Developer Mode, enable it, restart when asked, and confirm after the restart. If the switch is still missing, continue and return to this step after Sideloadly installs the IPA.
- Install Sideloadly. Download the latest macOS version only from the official Sideloadly website, then open it.
- Load the IPA. Drag the downloaded
.ipafile into Sideloadly, select your iPad, enter your Apple ID, leave Automatic Refresh enabled, and press Start. Complete any Apple verification prompt. - If “Untrusted Developer” appears, trust the signed app. Tap Cancel, connect the iPad to the internet, then open Settings → General → VPN & Device Management. Under Developer App, choose the Apple ID used by Sideloadly, tap Trust, and confirm Trust again. Then return to the Home Screen and open the app again. See Apple's trust instructions.
- Open the app. Launch it from the iPad Home Screen. It works offline after installation.
Optional: automatic seven-day refresh
Enable automatic refresh in Sideloadly. You may fully quit the main Sideloadly app with Command-Q, but do not quit or disable the separate Sideloadly Daemon; allow it to launch when you sign in to the Mac. The Mac must be on periodically and able to reach the iPad by USB or Wi-Fi. For Wi-Fi refresh, select the iPad in Finder and enable “Show this iPad when on Wi-Fi.” Keep Developer Mode on, and use the same Apple ID and bundle ID when updating so the app keeps working and its existing data can remain in place.