How to add ipa files to your iPhone

Sebastien, Aug 4, 2008

It’s not a secret anymore… many iPhone games and applications have been cracked (and still are). Basically, you can get 2 types of files. The “normal” .app file, and the cracked ipa file. We already covered the method to install .app files on your iPhone. Now here is the other method, the most popular one, to install cracked .ipa files such as games and applications on your iPhone or iPod Touch.

As a reminder, this is illegal! I do not encourage anyone to hack or crack iPhone games. Some developpers spend quite some time working on them and they don’t want to see their work ripped off. If you see an iPhone game or application that you like, download it legally through the App Store.

This method works for all firmwares from 2.0 to the current firmware available. The only thing that changes is the MobileInstallation file that you have to install. Each device (iPhone/iPod Touch) has its own MobileInstallation file for each version of the firmware. I started tracking these MobileInstallation files from iPhone 2.1. I do not have them for older firmwares and I do not have them for iPod Touch, although they might be the same as the iPhone’s. I don’t own an iPod Touch, thus I never tried this before on one but some users reported to me it worked great.

By the way, you may want to check my list of cracked iPhone games and applications.

How to install ipa files on an iPhone or iPod Touch?

Step 1: Make sure your iPhone is jailbroken. If it’s not, visit our jailbreak section to figure out how to jailbreak your iPhone.

Step 2: Once your iPhone is jailbroken, go to Cydia > Manage > Sources > Edit > Add http://cydia.hackulo.us/ as a source. Tap Done.

Step 3: Once Hackulo.us has been added as a source, search for “AppSync” in Cydia. Install the version of AppSync that matches your iOS. For example if you are on iOS 4.0.2, you want to install AppSync for OS 4.0.

Step 4: Still in Cydia, search for Installous. Download and install the app. Installous is like an App Store for cracked apps.

Step 5: Reboot your iPhone.

Step 6: Go to Installous and search for cracked apps. Download and install them.

Done!

Old way to install cracked apps

1. You need to be on jailbroken iPhone with Cydia installed. For this, you may use QuickPwn, PwnageTool, or WinPwn. See my tutorials for on how to jailbreak your iPhone or iPod Touch using any of these tools.

2. Install OpenSSH from Cydia on your iPhone. Click on Cydia and then click Install (Sections)>Networking>OpenSSH then click Install>Confirm (if you get a running out of disk space error click “ok”).

3. Log into WinSCP. The first time you try to login you may get a connection timeout error, click retry several times (up to 20 times!) and it should work. If you still get an error, reboot your iPod/iPhone and try again.

4. Navigate to /private/var/mobile/ folder

5. Set the permission of the Applications folder to 777 (make sure reclusive is checked).

6. Stay in the /private/var/mobile/ folder.

7. Create a folder called “Documents” in the /private/var/mobile/ folder. Make sure to spell “Documents” correctly, with a capital “D”.

8. Set the permission to 777.

9. Navigate to the root level and open the /Applications folder.

10. Create a folder called “Documents” inside the /Applications folder and set permission to 777.

———Note: You will only need to create these two Documents folders once———

11. Go to <root> /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileInstallation.framework

12. Rename the file “MobileInstallation” to “MobileInstallation.bak”

13. Download this patched MobileInstallation file from HERE. Note that you have to download the patched file for the firmware you are running. ie. if you are running 2.1, you need the MobileInstallation 2.1 patched file.

14. Place the patched file into the /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/MobileInstallation.framework folder and set the permissions 775 for the patched MobileInstallation file. If there is some type of extension (ie .dylib), then you need to remove that extension.

15. Reboot your iPhone/iPod Touch

16. Download cracked ipa Games and apps from Here.

17. Download at least one App from Apple App Store (Free or Paid). What I do is I download one app from the App Store using iTunes, then I sync my iPhone and reboot it. Then I download one app from the App Store on the iPhone and reboot the phone. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT: Otherwise you will get an error! [Only need to do this once]

18. Drag and drop the .ipa file you downloaded into the iTunes Application library.

19. Sync your iPhone/iPod Touch and enjoy!

Errors:

The application “XXXXXXX” cannot be opened
Fix: Reboot your iPhone or iPod

0xE800001 Error:

FIX: Change usb port and reboot your iphone/ipod Touch.
If this doesn’t work try going into: Control panel->System->Device Manager->Universal Serie Bus Controller->Right click Apple Mobile Device USB Driver and update driver.

0xE800013 Error:

You get this error when you already have the app
FIX: Simply delete the .app folder that u have ssh’d and reboot.

 
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  • MercDizzle

    Yeay C saves the day!

    IT WERKZ!

  • ahem

    Thanks Yeay C, I did not expect it to be so easy!

  • Yeay C=

    My name is not Yeay C…. ==” hahaha . You’re welcome . I also didn’t expect it to be so easy . How come all the people out there has to make such difficult and confusing instructions when it could be so easy … C= <~ this is an emo … hahaha .

  • Knut J

    Hey, I made it, I downloaded Touchgrind for free, but do you need to install one free app everytime you install a cracked app?
    Thanks ;)

  • http://Abunidal-needal.blogspot.com Didal

    Hei guys am new wit ol this iphone stuf i was given an iphone 2g jailbroken and wit cydia in it but any time i want to download and app from cydia it shows me error net Db or file missmatch or it gets bak to the home screen the only file i have succesfully download from it is ssh which was even a luck how can i fixed this problem i dnt even know how to use an iphone without games my version is v2.1

  • Fred

    Really wish I hadn’t done this – now I have a brick… just get apple logo! great work guys!

    • Doodlecokdik

      Haha

      • http://sexydude Poopy Cock

        lol What a tard

  • Matt

    SSH in if you can.

    Change the /private/var/stash/libexec/installd CHMOD to 777.

    Should get out of that.

    Then uninstall AppSync if need be.

  • http://www.devoodle.com Chris

    could anyone confirm this method works on firmware 4.0.1 please? :)

  • Jason

    I’ve got a Jailbroken 4.0.2 with instalous and appsync but I was wondering if any one knows there was a Way to transfer my ipa files through the computer without downloading them on my I-pod touch?

    I would perfer to not use SSH and use “iphonebrowser” instead.

    • David

      With Appsync installed, just google and download cracked ipa(s) then open itunes and drag the ipa file into the Applications Tab with your other apps and sync.
      *note that if the downloaded file is “_____.ipa.zip” just erase the .zip before you drag and drop

  • Jason

    Also, would this work with home made ipa’s? (non-eycrypted of course) I would like to find an easier way to test out homebrew without having to host a cydia package.

  • Leonuj

    thank you so much.

  • Leonuj

    thanks so much…piece of cake……no words to express

  • kallewbry

    worked great for me iphone 3gs 4,0 thanks mate

  • Dustin

    Come on whoever wrote this! i download cracked apps and purchase a lot of apps too one thing i don’t do is tell everyone how bad it is and how much time people spend making them and THEN tell everyone how to Fuck them over. I mean shit just fuck them over that’s what were doing when we install or show others how to install cracked apps right?

  • David ,,Chicago

    It Really worked,,,!!! Many thanks … now i have 82 new apps on my iphone in just 12 minutes…

    • siraj

      how did u do that

  • http://PSPGR.NET JIMYB3

    Does this really work??? I want to do it on my iphone 3GS but I am afraid something wrong with it.

    • David

      You can never be sure but it did work for me

  • sirena

    i downloaded the apps i want on installous , but they wont install. what do i do ?

    • siraj

      i got the same problem aswell
      if u sorted it out wat did u do

  • Lisa

    Everytime I install it doesn’t go in so what should I do now….

  • jc

    my installous always pops up a message that API is unavailable =(
    even if i do a search or open the categories. need help

    • GauravB

      Try turning off Wi-fi then turning it back on

      I had. The same problem and this worked fine for me

      If that don’t work keep stiwchig the Wifi on and off until it does

      If necessary reboot your ifone/touch/pad and try again

  • Tainted

    Everything works just fine. The games section is particularly nice for the iPhone4. Installing Need For
    Speed: Hot Pursuit As We Speak at 312k a second on the iPhone4, using 3G.
    Pure Pwnage man, this blog rocks.
    Wish you the best.

  • Anon666

    Don’t be such Haters…

    This Works definitely, my 2g ipod touch 4.1 is fine and workin

  • siraj

    hey i need help, i got installous through cydia and my iphone is 3.1.3 so i downloaded appsync 3.1 and i open installous and i download all the apps i want but when i install them its says installed but doesnt come out on my home scene

    please help!!

    • Jinx

      ..same here.. downloaded copilot.. installed it, get the message installed ok but it doesnt appear as an icon on my screen ?? am i missing something :( .. any help gratefully received , thanks

  • alexoyk

    need help, I have downloaded some games but when i install them it says invalid IPA.. How to solve?
    please help me..

    • GauravB

      Try turning off Wi-fi then turning it back on

      I had. The same problem and this worked fine for me

      If that don’t work keep stiwchig the Wifi on and off until it does

      If necessary reboot your ifone/touch/pad and try again

    • Nasir c

      You probably have to update your app sync in cydia

  • cesjie

    its cause either it didn’t finish the download or the application really doesnt work.
    sometimes your download would stop when its almost finished. try to compare the actual size of the application you are downloading and the one you’ve jst downloaded. you wud see there that it lacks a few MB’s

  • alexoyk

    yup..I have realized that..thx anyway!

  • GauravB

    For those of you who have ‘API Error: API Resource Unavaliable’ or something like that, what you do is quit installous, go into Settings>Wi-Fi. Turn your wifi off then back on. Then go back into installous, and see if that worked. If it didn’t, try doing it again a few times, and if necessary, reboot your iDevice.

    Hope this works because it worked fine for me :)

  • http://nepaltravelstrek.com Jhakri kanchha

    I also did http://cydia.hackulo.us but my Iphone seems dead. What to do

  • http://ipatoiphone.com Ipa to iPhone

    Incredibly easy! Thanks!

  • newtoappsync

    just to clear my doubt, do i need to leave my download ipa in my iphone in order to synch it back to iTune? i current using iPhone3GS, iOS 4.1 and i have appsync installed.

    but whenever i try to transfer my app to iTune, and it say the computer is not authorized (which i had done this part).

  • nicole

    i cannot add http://cydia.hackulo.us/ as a source. how to solve this problem??

  • dude

    This is the only tut’ that has worked for me so far using:
    -Ipod 2nd generation
    -Win7
    -Greenp0ison

    on firmware 4.2.1

    A little trial and error along the way but this combo works great! Thank you.

  • Superbob

    Please buy the app if you liked it! Support the developpers :)

    Thank you for this tutorial.

  • Its so veiny

    Thank you.
    To anyone who read this post but has yet to try this, If you follow the directions carefully, this can be done easily and without any negative effects.

  • fl0wingfire

    I use 91 PC Suite for iPhone whenever there is an app that I cant find on Installous or takes too long and I have to download it from my computer

  • Sh

    When i want install the app an erro acure that say invalid ipa what i must to do. Help me plz. Tanx

  • crazyadg

    I have a simpler way to add ipa apps to iPhone/ iTouch or iPad just using iFunbox and Installous. also works to backup installed apps on iPhone/ iTouch or iPad to a PC

    http://rapidshare.com/files/453705718/Tutorial_Copiar_Apps_entre_PC_y_iPod.pdf

  • dodo

    install appcake. easy.

  • http://google neomedeltiques

    i have an installous but not working properly because if i download the application its working but when i install it the error msg appear invalid ipa what the best thing can i do

  • crazyadg

    this is not an installous error— you need to download the app from another source, because there’s an issue with the file

  • Vuthaiduong

    Dowload ipa files

  • Soulstormer

    Extremely good post, it helped me alot, considering that i am new in .ips and .app stuff 4 iphone. Thank you very much!!!!

  • Jvk

    If you have problems using Installous, your a n00b that shouldn’t even use Installous!

  • Jvk

    Srry, I know. A n00b “is”. :p

  • Jvk

    BTW, these instructions are crap. Just download Installous and you’re done!

  • Raeder

    hacklo source is empty – no files to download???

  • Matt

    “apps@hackulo.us” date Tue, Jul 19, 2011 at 7:28 AM subject Cydia/APT(M): AppSync for 4.0+ mailed-by googlemail.com hide details 7:28 AM (0 minutes ago) To whom it may concern. I installed INSTALLOUS 4.0+ through the hackulo.us source. As soon as I started using it, alot of the time I would get API errors, and when I would search for apps, there would be no links to download with such as file dude etc. I then had to remove and reinstall appsync, INSTALLOUS, and the hackulo repo, Later I reinstalled, but it hasn’t changed anything. The problem is is that my APPSYNC4+ disappeared, and I can’t find it. What do you think my issue is? Thanks Matt

  • Shin Senter

    One amazing guy makes a tool called IPA Tool (http://mep.altamedia.vn/games/tool/) that allows you install your IPA files directly on the Web.

    Follow the screencast at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE4_93_NfIU

    Enjoy!

  • Masna

    For those who tired of nonfunctional programs just use I-funbox google it and run the exe it doesn’t need to install and then plug your Iphone it will take some seconds to recognize it, then go to option Install App [ AppFastIn ] and just select your App and hit open the process will go auto and install them to your Iphone without any touch of your hands. i hope this work for u like me.

  • Hussein

    It won’t work for me I can’t download cracked games and I have it jailbroken. When I download the game it won’t install it says “invalid IPA”. I followed your steps and still won’t work.

  • http://www.facebook.com/colbyrich Colby Rich

    are the apps free

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