How to Install .ipa Files on iPhone or iPad without iTunes

An .ipa or iOS App Store Package file is an archive file of an iOS application file that stores an iOS app. And IPA files can only be installed on an iOS device such as iPhone or iPad. Every IPA file is saved in a compressed format and you can decompress it using a decompression program. The IPA files contain a lot of data such as games, weather, news, utilities, etc.

You can download IPA files either via App Store or iTunes. Prior to iTunes 12.7, users had direct access to IPA files in the form of App Store downloads. However, since iTunes 12.7 update, there is no Apps tab in Device option either so you can not manage your apps on iPhone/iPad. So if you want to open an IPA file without iTunes, here we will introduce you two useful ways on how to install ipa on iPhone with Windows/Mac.

Install .ipa Files on iPhone/iPad Using iTunes Alternative

It’s AnyTrans, which is a superb iOS content management tool that lets users install IPA files on iPhone or iPad without iTunes. Also, it is an all-in-one software that is designed to manage and transfer iOS content. Those who don’t want to use tedious iTunes, and don’t want to lose data to install IPA on iPad/ iPhone, can have this alternative to iTunes. AnyTrans provides plenty of features that iOS users can use to make things easier. And here are some main features of it:

• With AnyTrans, you can download and install .ipa files on your iPhone or iPad without iTunes and any data loss.
• It enables you to export .ipa files to computer and make it work with simple clicks.
• It allows you to transfer apps and other data between iOS devices and computers and from one iOS device to another.
• This tool also gives access to iCloud backup, and you can download data saved to your iCloud backup to your computer.

Now, here is the step-by-step guide on how to install IPA files on iPhone without iTunes with the help of AnyTrans. To start the process, download and install AnyTrans on computer.

Step 1. Then, launch it and connect your iDevice to the computer using a cable and then, click on “Apps” icon as shown below.

Step 2. Now, tap on the “+” button i.e. at top-right and then, select the .ipa file you want to install on your iPhone and finally, click “Open” to begin the transfer process.

Install .ipa File with Cydia Impactor

If you saved the .ipa file on your computer, you can also use Cydia Impactor to install .ipa to iPhone. This tool is available for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux (32-bit and 64-bit). Here are the steps to install apps .ipa file without iTunes via Cydia Impactor:

Step 1. Download Cydia Impactor from its official website > Install and launch it on your computer.

Step 2. Drag and drop the .ipa file you saved into Cydia Impactor > Enter your Apple ID and password in a pop-up dialogue box > Then tap OK to confirm.

After confirming, the .ipa file will be installed on your iPhone successfully.

How to Easily Export .ipa File to Computer

If you want to open the .ipa file on your computer and launch it. Then AnyTrans can help you with that easily. With AnyTrans App Downloader, you can search and download any apps to App Library, then easily download the .ipa file to your computer and you can launch it immediately. Now, download AnyTrans on Mac/Windows PC and follow the steps below to open the .ipa file on computer:

Step 1: Search the app that you’d like to transfer.

Open AnyTrans and go to App Downloader > Sign in your iCloud account > Enter the app name from the search bar and click the download icon.

Step 2: Download the app to your computer.

Once the download process finished, you can click To Mac button.

Step 3: Launch the downloaded app on M1 Mac immediately.

Now, you can easily open the .ipa file and launch the app on your M1 Mac. And if you want to know more apps are compatible or not on M1 Mac, then this free iMobie M1 app checker can help you. It can check if the apps on your Mac/iPhone are M1 compatible. So you can run your favorite iOS apps on an M1 Mac after exporting .ipa files with a simple click.

Bonus Tip. How to Fix “Unable to Install .ipa File” Issue

When you downloading apps, sometimes there’s a message that says unable to install. If you’re facing the same problem, you need to check your internet connection firstly. And make sure the internet connection is stable and isn’t blocked. If the problem still exists, then you may check the software issue or whether your iOS version supports the .ipa file. So you can refer to the following tips to fix “Unable to Install .ipa File” Issue:

Tip 1. Fix iPhone System Problems

If your iPhone software doesn’t respond correctly when you downloading .ipa file or apps, it means that your iPhone got some system problems. Then there is one iOS system recovery tool: AnyFix – iOS System Recovery tool has the opportunity to fix the software issue. This tool is designed to fix 130+ system issues for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch/Apple TV. When your iPhone won’t update, stuck on pages, or got some errors, AnyFix can help you out. Now, you can follow the steps below to do the system repair:

Step 1: Get the latest version of AnyFix. Open it and choose System Repair from the homepage.

Step 2: Choose iPhone Problems and tap Start Now button.

Step 3: Choose a repair mode to fix iPhone system problems. Firstly you can try Standard Repair, which supports the most common system issues and no data will be earsed.

Step 4: Next, you need to download a matching firmware file and put your iPhone in Recovery Mode.

Step 5: Once firmware downloaded, tap on Fix Now to start repairing.

And when the repairing process completed, you will see the Repair Completed page.

Tip 2. Downgrade iOS or Upgrade to Beta as You Wish

If you need to downgrade or upgrade iOS according to your needs, AnyFix also can help you with one click.

Step 1: Go to the homepage like Tip 1 and tap on Upgrade/Downgrade iOS. Or get it right here.

Step 2: Then you will see the interface below and choose 1 click to upgrade iOS/iPadOS > Tap Start Now to continue.

Step 3: Now AnyFix will provide you the different iOS versions that your iPhone supported. Choose one to download and then click Upgrade.

Step 4: After that, AnyFix will proceed to the next step to upgrade the iOS version automatically. When the process is completed, you will see the completed page.

The Bottom Line

Thus, whenever you want to install IPA on iPad or iPhone without iTunes, you can use the above ways. And AnyTrans is spy-free and virus-free software, so you can get on your system with peace of mind. With it, you can also manage your iDevice apps on the computer. Give AnyTrans a try.