Cydia Impactor

Download Cydia Impactor

Cydia Impactor is a free application mostly used to install IPA files on iOS devices, sideload APK files on Android system and exploit the series of Android "Master Key" vulnerabilities. After downloading the right version for Windows, Linux, or Mac you need to extract the file and you are ready to go.

Impactor is known in the jailbreak community as the tool to sideload IPA files. An .IPA file is an iOS application archive file that stores an iOS app. Each .IPA file includes a binary for the ARM architecture and can only be installed on an iOS device. .IPA files can contain jailbreak tools, apps, and games, etc.

Install Cydia Extender. This app runs on iOS 11 and registers to handle IPA files, allowing you to browse in Safari directly to an IPA file and install it using the same mechanisms used by Cydia Impactor. It also can re-sign and reinstall itself. ReProvision app offers the same features for iOS 12 and iOS 13.

With Cydia Impactor 0.9.51, it is easy to sideload apps. The user needs just to plug the device (iPhone, iPad, iPod) into the computer (USB driver), select an IPA file, enter Apple ID an app-specific password. Install IPA files without jailbreak on any iOS 11, iOS 12, and iOS 13 devices.

After it, the tool will prepare the app, sign the IPA file, and sideload the app on your iOS system. If everything goes as expected, the sideloaded IPA will be installed on your iOS 12 device. Remember to always update Impactor to the newest version to avoid any errors.

There is also a need to go to Settings → General → Device Management and trust the certificate of the installed app. Recent Cydia Impactor 0.9.52 update offers full support for macOS Catalina. This version is also available for download from our software hub.

The software features options to install package, reboot the device, open shell, run a program, test backup, activate bootloader, delete App ID, revoke certificates, boot image, lock and unlock the device, download AOKP, get identifier token, or debug the device (iOS).

Saurik did a great job creating Cydia Impactor. You can use the app to install IPA files on iOS system and also APK files on Android. First, of course, you would need to download IPA or APK apps. I created a short tutorial on how to install IPA using this jailbreak tool. It covers also errors that can happen during the use of Impactor. I used this device management app to install semi-tethered jailbreak tools on iOS. The software works great for that and I can recommend everyone to install and try Cydia Impactor by Saurik. It is important to download the app directly from the developer webpage.

How to sign IPA using Impactor

If you are using the Apple ID registered with Apple’s Developer Program, you will use the developer certificate which will remain valid for one year. In case you are using a non-developer ID, you can generate and use 7 days validity certificate only. I will walk you through the process.

Step 1. Download Cydia Impactor, and unzip the file.

Step 2. Install the newest version of iTunes.

Step 3. Connect your device. Open Cydia Impactor and navigate to Device → Install Package.

Step 4. Select the .IPA file to install.

Step 5. Enter your AppleID and app-specific password to sign apps not provided by Apple.

The required password for Cydia is not the one you use for AppleID login. Follow the next steps to generate an app-specific password from Apple if you don't have one.

1. Login to appleid.apple.com.

2. Click Generate Password... in the Security section.

3. Add the label "MyApp" to the popup and click Create and copy the password.

Step 6. The sideloaded iOS app should be visible on the home screen.

Step 7. Next, add your certificate to trusted from Settings → General → Device Management.

Now you can run the application from the home screen. After the certificate expired, your app will crash every time you try to open it. You will need to repeat all steps to sing iOS application again.

Cydia Impactor 0.9.52 is broken by a server-side change at Apple on 7 October 2019. The app will not sign IPA files anymore. The developer needs to fix submitDevelopmentCSR error and update Xcode 7.3 or later to continue developing with your Apple ID.

Cydia Impactor Error List

Learn how to fix some common Cydia Impactor issues on Windows, Linux, and Mac.

Error 81 / http-win.cpp:158

In the old version of Cydia Impactor, there was an error regarding SSL certificate verification while signing IPA files on Windows.

To fix the problem simply download the app from our software hub. Using the newest version of the program should fix the error.

Error 159 / http-win.cpp:159

This error is hard to fix but there are few options that can be done.

You can try to use an earlier version of the program, moving across Windows, Linux, or OSX, reboot your device, trust the device again on the computer, and even revoking certificates to force it to work.

Error 57 / Lockdown error

If you see this error lockdown.cpp:57 or LOCKDOWN_E_SSL_ERROR on iOS 11 it means that Cydia Impactor is not compatible with your firmware yet.

In other cases, you need to disconnect your device from the computer, and next, navigate to Settings → General → Reset → Reset Location and Privacy.

Error 133 / http-sox.cpp:133

This error can happen on Mac. close Cydia Impactor app, lunch iTunes, and sync your device. Next, close iTunes and try again with sideloading your app using Impactor.

Error 92 / plist.hpp:92

This message ./plist.hpp:92 _assert(plist_get_node_type(plist) == PLIST_STRING) is an information that the App was installed sucesfull.

Error 42 / Installation error

This message informs you that the running iOS version is not compatible with Cydia Impactor App. There is nothing that you can do.

Error 68 / invalid value ‘CY- mach_portal’

To fix the problem simply download Cydia Impactor from our website in the newest version. Using the newest version of the software should fix error 68.

Error 179 / ipa.cpp 179

Remove Home Depot jailbreak or Yalu from your iOS and try again using Impactor.

Error 62 / provision.cpp:62 _assert

If you see this error keep entering your Apple ID and password until the error no longer appears. It's reported that it should be repeated 5-10 times to start working.

Error 71 / provision.cpp:71

Error 71 informs "You already have a current iOS Development certificate or pending certificate request.".

To fix it we need to lunch Cydia Impactor and under the Xcode menu click Revoke Certificates. Next, enter your Apple ID.

Error 168 / provision.cpp:168

This error can happen during Yalu installation on iOS 10. We need first to Revoke Certificates like in the example from Error 71.

Next, you need to navigate to AppleID webpage, scroll down to the Security section, and click on the Edit button.

In "APP-SPECIFIC PASSWORDS" we will Generate Password for our app. We can name it how we prefer. Cydia Impactor will then ask us about Apple ID and password for this app.

Stuck on the VerifyingApplication message can be also a problem for some of the users. To fix this kind of problem we need to do one of a few things to make it work.

Just try one of the options: Turn on and off Airplane Mode, delete the existing profile from the Settings, turn off two-factor authentication, and in worst case hard reset your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cydia Impactor need jailbreak?

No Cydia Impactor doesn't require a jailbreak to work. This is a Desktop application allowing you to install IPA files on iPhone and this doesn't require jailbreaking your device. The purpose of this tool is not to jailbreak iOS, there are other apps that can do it, and Impactor can install them.

Do you need iTunes for Cydia Impactor?

Yes, Cydia Impactor requires the installation of iTunes app on Windows to work correctly with iOS devices like iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. On Mac OS, the iTunes software is available by default.

What does Cydia Impactor do?

Cydia Impactor is used mostly to sideload IPA files containing applications that are not available in AppStore. You can also use it to install Jailbreak tools like unc0ver or Chimera available via IPA package. Cydia and Cydia Impactor are two different tools.

Is Cydia Impactor safe?

Using Cydia Impactor is absolutely safe and secure. The software will not damage the iOS system and it is available for free. You can use the tool only on Desktop computers.