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How-To: Create a free Apple developer account for sideloading apps

Starting with Xcode 7, Apple made it possible to sideload apps on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV using a free Apple ID. Although a paid developer account is still required to deploy apps to the App Store, users wishing to sideload open source apps on a personal device can do so with relative ease. In this post, we’ll show you how easy it is to create a free Apple developer account for sideloading apps using Xcode.

Creating an Apple developer account

Step 1: Visit developer.apple.com

Step 2: Click Member Center.

Step 3: Sign in with your Apple ID.

  • If you already have an Apple ID, you’ll just need to agree to Apple’s Developer Agreement to turn it into a free developer account. Type in your Apple ID and click Sign In.
  • If you don’t already have an Apple ID, you’ll need to create one first. Click Create Apple ID, and fill out the required information and click Continue. You’ll then need to sign in with the Apple ID that you just created, and go back to the Member Center.

Step 4: On the Apple Developer Agreement page, click the first check box to accept the agreement and click the Submit button.

Your Apple ID now works as a free developer account. As stated at the outset, this account can be used for sideloading apps via Xcode. You will not be able to submit apps to the App Store, or download iOS, OS X, watchOS, or tvOS developer betas. A $99/year paid developer account is still required to enjoy those privileges.

Video walkthrough

Signing in with Xcode

Step 1: Download Xcode from the Mac App Store.

Step 2: Launch Xcode.

Step 3: Click Xcode → Preferences → Accounts and click the ‘+’ sign and choose Add Apple ID.

Step 4: Login with the Apple ID that you just enabled with free developer privileges.

You can now use Xcode to sideload apps on your favorite platforms. This tutorial can also be used in concert with our Apple TV 4 jailbreak tutorial.

This is a basic tutorial that will be referenced in future tutorials involving sideloading on the Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad. Stay tuned for additional discussion regarding sideloading apps.

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Comments

  1. el3v3nty - 8 years ago

    Precious all. Saved article I’m reading lists!

  2. savichmichael - 8 years ago

    *sigh* don’t encourage this. This feature is for testing/running apps you made yourself, not circumventing the App Store.

    • Jeff Benjamin - 8 years ago

      If people feel comfortable doing it, why not encourage it??? It’s a completely legit way to get more out of your tvOS and iOS device. It’s good to step outside of the box to see what’s out there.

      • savichmichael - 8 years ago

        First off, Apple has made it clear side loading of other’s apps is not the intention of this system. If people come to depend on these side loaded apps, Apple could squash those projects at any time as they have done with f.lux. Second, this is just an awful system for side loading from a usability standpoint. If Apple were to somehow tolerate this method, and it grew into a widespread practice, the experience would be much worse than any dedicated method Apple devised, and in a world where side loaded apps are handled this way, Apple would have less incentive to develop a proper way to side load. Finally, if this practice becomes widespread enough there is the chance that Apple will just straight up remove this method. After all, the reason this wasn’t possible till now is Apple was afraid people would side load. And of course it almost goes without saying that there is the malware issue, but hopefully anybody trying this isn’t stupid enough to compile and install malware.

  3. BeardMan - 8 years ago

    I wouldn’t recommend to sideloading apps, because of security issues.

    • Jeff Benjamin - 8 years ago

      The apps are open source. Look through the code before sideloading.

      • Markus (@jokey2k) - 8 years ago

        They don’t have to be, you can embed binaries. Also unless you are a skilled coder, you won’t know what’s a backdoor or data-mining thing or even simple address book-uploading code…

      • BeardMan - 8 years ago

        I know nothing about programming and to read any codes like that, but your “how-to” is an “easy to use”-instruction for sideloading apps, also for people like me.
        My recommend is: Don’t use it, unless you’re a developer!

      • Jurgis Ŝalna - 8 years ago

        @Markus, that’s what OS security model is for. It sux that Apple making their platform open so quietly, but oh well. Better than before.

  4. dennyc69 - 8 years ago

    Meh…

  5. Jurgis Ŝalna - 8 years ago

    Is there a catalog anywhere of FOSS iOS apps?

  6. Joel Thibault - 8 years ago

    has apple just stopped doing this?

  7. Peter J Patel - 8 years ago

    Did everything…I think, but I still get a message ” no provisioning profiles found”. Clicked fix issue, comes up with No Devices. When I look at my account, it has the iPad and iPhone showing. Help?

  8. Piolo Quintana - 7 years ago

    I have added my account, but it shows the role of user, and the option of “view details” is not available? what might be wrong?

Author

Avatar for Jeff Benjamin Jeff Benjamin

Jeff is the head of video content production for 9to5. He initially joined 9to5Mac in 2016, producing videos, walkthroughs, how-tos, written tutorials, and reviews. He takes pride in explaining things simply, clearly, and concisely. Jeff’s videos have been watched hundreds of millions of times by people seeking to learn more about today’s tech. Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube to catch Jeff’s latest videos.