You’re staring at that "Unable to Verify" popup again. It’s annoying. You just wanted to use a customized version of an app or a game not on the App Store, and suddenly, Apple’s security wall slammed shut. Honestly, the game of cat and mouse between Apple and the sideloading community has been going on for years, but in 2026, the stakes are different.
Apple’s OCSP (Online Certificate Status Protocol) servers are smarter now. They check those enterprise certificates every time your device hits the web. If you've been using a free certificate you found on a shady Twitter thread, it’s probably already dead. But you've probably heard there's a way around it. A way to sideload apps iOS without revoke that actually sticks.
It’s not magic. It’s mostly just clever networking and exploiting specific bugs in how iOS handles trust.
Why Do My Apps Keep Getting Revoked?
Basically, when you install an app using a certificate that isn't yours (like a leaked enterprise cert), your iPhone "calls home" to Apple at ocsp.apple.com. It asks, "Hey, is this certificate still cool?" If Apple says no—which they do once they realize a thousand people are using a corporate license meant for one company—the app dies instantly.
This is why "anti-revoke" methods exist. If your phone can't talk to Apple's certificate police, it can't receive the order to kill your app.
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But it's gotten tougher. Apple’s 2026 updates have tightened the leash on how background processes communicate. You've probably noticed that some old DNS tricks don't work the second you switch from Wi-Fi to cellular.
The DNS Cloaking Trick: Your First Line of Defense
The most common way to stay alive right now involves DNS filtering. Tools like NextDNS or dedicated "Anti-Revoke" profiles work by blacklisting specific Apple domains.
Specifically, you want to block:
ocsp.apple.comocsp2.apple.comworld-gen.g.aaplimg.com
If you use a service like NextDNS, you can manually add these to your blocklist. Once you install the DNS profile on your iPhone, your device essentially becomes "blind" to Apple's revocation commands.
Here’s the catch. If you turn off your VPN or DNS for even a second to check your bank app or play an online game that blocks custom DNS, Apple might sneak a check-in. If that happens, it's game over. You'll have to delete everything and start from scratch.
The Airplane Mode "Safety Dance"
There is a weird, specific sequence people use to avoid this when installing new apps. You turn on Airplane Mode, clear your Safari cache, and then use your sideloading tool. It sounds like a paranoid ritual, but it prevents the "integrity could not be verified" error during the initial handshake.
SideStore: The Computer-Free Revolution
If you hate the DNS method because it breaks other Apple services (like iCloud updates), SideStore is probably your best bet. It’s a fork of AltStore that changed the game.
Unlike the original AltStore, which needs a computer on the same Wi-Fi to refresh your apps every seven days, SideStore uses a "WireGuard" VPN trick. It essentially tricks your iPhone into thinking it's talking to a local server on your own device.
You've still got the 3-app limit if you're using a free Apple ID. That’s a hard limit. No way around it unless you pay Apple $99 a year for a developer account. But SideStore solves the "revoke" issue because you are the one signing the app. Apple isn't going to revoke your personal development certificate unless you’re doing something truly wild.
The setup is a bit of a headache. You need a pairing file (.plist) from a computer initially, but once that’s done, you can refresh your apps anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection. No more "7 days left" anxiety.
Esign and the "No-PC" Madness
Then there’s Esign. This is the wild west of sideloading.
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Esign is a powerful on-device signer. You can import your own certificates, or—as many do—use "public" ones. To make this work without revokes, people are using things like the Khomod DNS or BreakFree DNS.
These are community-maintained DNS servers that are specifically tuned to block Apple's verification servers while letting the rest of your internet work. Some users on Reddit have reported keeping apps alive for over six months using the Esign + Anti-Revoke DNS combo.
But be careful. Using a random person's DNS means they could theoretically see your traffic. I wouldn't do my taxes on a phone running a third-party anti-revoke DNS. Just a thought.
The CoreTrust Bug: A Golden Era (For Some)
We have to talk about TrollStore. If you are lucky enough to be on an older version of iOS (specifically anything affected by the CoreTrust bug, like iOS 14.0 through 17.0 on certain devices), you don't even need to worry about revokes.
TrollStore is "permanent" sideloading. It exploits a bug in how iOS verifies the root of a certificate. Once an app is installed via TrollStore, it never expires. Ever.
Sadly, if you're on a brand new iPhone 17 or running the latest iOS 26.x beta, this door is currently shut. Apple patched the CoreTrust vulnerability with a vengeance. If someone tells you they have TrollStore working on a brand new iPhone 15 Pro Max with the latest software, they’re lying to you.
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What About the EU Sideloading Rules?
You'd think with the EU forcing Apple's hand, this would all be easier. Well, sort of.
If you're in Europe, you can use "Alternative App Marketplaces" like AltStore PAL. These are official. They won't get revoked. But they also don't let you just install any random .ipa file you found on a forum. They are "notarized," meaning Apple still gets to peek at the code.
For the true "I want what I want" experience, the unofficial methods are still the only way.
Actionable Steps to Stay Revoke-Free
If you're ready to set this up, don't just wing it. Follow a path that actually works for your specific device.
- Check your version. If you are on an old firmware (iOS 15-17.0), stop everything and see if your device supports TrollStore. It is the only "perfect" solution.
- Use SideStore for stability. If you have a computer for the initial setup, SideStore is the most "Apple-legal" way to avoid revokes because you sign the apps yourself.
- Set up a NextDNS account. Don't just use a pre-made profile. Create your own so you can see the logs and ensure
ocsp.apple.comis actually being blocked. - Keep a backup. Sideloaded app data is notoriously hard to recover if a revoke happens. If you're playing a game, make sure it has cloud saves (like GameCenter or its own login system) because once that certificate dies, you're deleting the app to fix it.
Essentially, you have to choose between convenience and security. The DNS method is "no PC" and easy, but it's a bit of a privacy nightmare. SideStore is secure and reliable but requires a bit of technical legwork. Pick your poison.
Stay away from "Web-based" installers that ask you to "Install Profile" from a popup ad. Those are almost always just data-collection schemes or rely on certificates that will be revoked by the time you finish reading this. Stick to the tools with a real community behind them—SideStore, AltStore, and Esign.
Next Steps for You:
Check your current iOS version in Settings > General > About. If you're on a version higher than 17.0, your best bet is to head over to sidestore.io and follow their "Getting Started" guide to set up the WireGuard VPN method. This is currently the most robust way to keep your apps running without needing a weekly tether to your laptop.