Can not install an app outside app store

i tried to download an app outside of appstore. But now that i tap on it, it only says "the app could not be isntalled because the integrity could not be verified" how can i disable this safety thing?

iPhone 12, iOS 18

Posted on Dec 3, 2025 8:43 AM

Reply
13 replies

Dec 4, 2025 11:02 AM in response to Servant of Cats

Servant of Cats wrote:
I don’t think there is an EU requirement to allow side loading of any old app from any old source (including possibly malware apps or infected apps).

I was under the impression that Setapp Mobile is exactly that and only available in the EU. Here in the US we have their similar platform for downloads on the Mac and the site is filled with questionable apps that install processes in the launch folders of the Mac that have been problematic with unknown content identified by Little Snitch being sent to their servers. The apps range from the typical cleaners/optimizers to what I would consider to be shareware/freeware from back in the day.

https://support.setapp.com/hc/en-us/articles/13690464925212-About-Setapp-Mobile


AltStore PAL is another one that is a collection of different apps, not specific to a big game company just offering the service without Apple's cut.

https://altstore.io/


I am not in the EU so have no direct knowledge on the quality or experience of these App Stores, so maybe you have additional insight for a user looking here that may have concerns about privacy/security of their device. Is it enough to say they do not have an incentive to distribute malware when the developer pays them to make the app available?



Dec 3, 2025 10:26 AM in response to ammir66

ammir66 wrote:

It’s an app I’ve used earlier and that I need again, should not only be App Store apps allowed

If you want the safest cell phone there is, then Apple is protecting you from making what could be a really bad decision. There's a thread today, where another user wanted and app they no longer could get. They let someone else who promised the app sign into their iPhone so they could get the app. They were immediately locked out of their phone and Apple won't unlock it for them.


If the App isn't in the App Store, there's likely a reason it isn't. You can certainly go buy something else, which won't keep you safe.

Dec 3, 2025 1:54 PM in response to lobsterghost1

lobsterghost1 wrote:

If you want the safest cell phone there is, then Apple is protecting you from making what could be a really bad decision. There's a thread today, where another user wanted and app they no longer could get. They let someone else who promised the app sign into their iPhone so they could get the app. They were immediately locked out of their phone and Apple won't unlock it for them.

That was a really sad thread.

Dec 3, 2025 10:41 AM in response to ammir66

ammir66 wrote:

It’s an app I’ve used earlier and that I need again, should not only be App Store apps allowed

It is not that difficult to have an app in the App Store. Developers that choose not to are doing that for a reason and not one that is going to benefit a user. Your privacy/security is at risk with any side load attempt and if that was readily available these pages would be filled with user complaints on how they now have Malware and their data has been stolen.

Dec 3, 2025 5:53 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

IdrisSeabright wrote:


lobsterghost1 wrote:

If you want the safest cell phone there is, then Apple is protecting you from making what could be a really bad decision. There's a thread today, where another user wanted and app they no longer could get. They let someone else who promised the app sign into their iPhone so they could get the app. They were immediately locked out of their phone and Apple won't unlock it for them.
That was a really sad thread.

Yes it was and I wanted to mention it here as I would hope they read what can happen if you do something like what that user did, which for them was catastrophic.

Dec 3, 2025 7:41 PM in response to LD150

Re: “Even the EU have not gone that crazy.”


To elaborate: The EU does require support for alternative app stores - but even those are largely from big game companies who don’t want to pay Apple a cut of in-app purchases. The stores may or may not be as safe as the Apple one, but presumably have no incentive to deliberately distribute malware.


I don’t think there is an EU requirement to allow side loading of any old app from any old source (including possibly malware apps or infected apps).

Dec 4, 2025 9:34 AM in response to Servant of Cats

Servant of Cats wrote:

Re: “Even the EU have not gone that crazy.”

To elaborate: The EU does require support for alternative app stores - but even those are largely from big game companies who don’t want to pay Apple a cut of in-app purchases. The stores may or may not be as safe as the Apple one, but presumably have no incentive to deliberately distribute malware.

I don’t think there is an EU requirement to allow side loading of any old app from any old source (including possibly malware apps or infected apps).

Yes I agree, I just couldn't be bothered typing all that 😂

Can not install an app outside app store

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