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Controversial torrent app Popcorn Time comes to non-jailbroken iPhones by skipping App Store

[youtube=https://youtu.be/NiCMBH_-s5U]

PopcornTime, the controversial torrent client for movies disguised as a Netflix-like streaming service, is today making its way to iOS without the need of a jailbreak, albeit without Apple’s official blessing and therefore using a workaround to get onto your device outside the App Store.

Ever since we released iOS for jailbroken devices in September 2014, we’ve been wrecking our brains to find a solution that will enable iOS users who don’t want to jailbreak their device and use Cydia to also enjoy Popcorn Time on their iOS device. Our relentless pursuit for a solution led us to a fruitful collaboration with another group of brilliant developers who came up with the awesome solution of making an iOS installer.

The new iOS version goes beyond what was previously available on jailbroken Apple devices adding support for Apple TV and Chromecast streaming and a free built-in VPN that users can use to browse and watch movies anonymously.

Users will have to download “iOS installer” software to their Windows or Mac desktop (Mac support is arriving in the coming weeks), connect their iOS device using a USB cable and follow onscreen instructions to complete the installation. This means they are evading the normal App Store installation process, although the details are not clear.

Whether or not Apple, or perhaps the usual suspects going after movie piracy, will get this shutdown remains to be seen. But the people behind the project told us there is “no doubt” that it will be “a long journey, playing ‘cat and mouse’ with Apple.” They added that the team building the software installer for Popcorn Time on iOS are “ready for any obstacle Apple will throw their way.”

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Comments

  1. Jim Phong - 9 years ago

    If they found a way to install unauthorized apps on a iOS device using fake key signatures then Apple must act quickly to stop them.
    If what they say it is true then there would be a huge iOS bug that needs to be fixed too.

  2. John Smith - 9 years ago

    IOS users: at your own risk.

    Apple: Likely to see this as a security vulnerability and block in next IOS update.

  3. Charlie Thomas - 9 years ago

    I tried installing it and it does install but the app crashes as soon as you try to open it.

  4. standardpull - 9 years ago

    People don’t use it for illegal content. They use it to watch video that is in the public domain, as well as content that is viewable under fair use doctrine, like education, research, and pornography.

    Why Apple doesn’t want it on their platform is very confusing. It’s more confusing why the developers don’t defend their own product.

    • cwaffles - 9 years ago

      You cant be serious with that comment. In no way are movies that are still in the theaters part of the “public domain” or fall under the “fair use doctrine”. Have you ever used the app and seen what movies are available to stream?

    • puff28 - 9 years ago

      That’s hilarious :-)
      I haven’t checked but afaik most content is illegal.

  5. 89p13 - 9 years ago

    I’m Not Jailbreaking / Not Sideloading / Sticking with the REAL Apple App Store. Too much risk of security issues with either of the first 2 options, IMO. YMMV!

  6. b9bot - 9 years ago

    Sounds like a worthless endeavor that will lead to an app that will work less than 10% of the time if that. Probably full of malware and other horrible things. I wouldn’t touch this if you are concerned about your data privacy.

    • Ben Ive - 9 years ago

      Your lack of knowledge on the subject is appalling.
      You have yet to try the application, however you are keen on deploring users by making uneducated statements. IOS doesn’t get malware. This company has been proving this service for a few years. They are trusted and reliable among people who have taken genuine interest in their product.
      You have very limited knowledge on the subject yet you blindly advise against it.
      This is the type of behavior that is wrong with this world.
      Please don’t compel me any further into conversing with you by ignorantly replying to this comment. I have little time and patience for the likes of you.

  7. Even if this is true and it works, isn’t it a bad thing? Isn’t there a risk at granting access to sensitive data like Touch ID prints, saved passwords, Apple Pay info, or medical info? Maybe I just paranoid.

  8. Davide Benatti - 9 years ago

    Is it just me or with 8.3 the method doesn’t work anymore?
    I succeeded installing on 8.2 but i got error when trying with new iOS version

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.