Learn how to use Cydia Impactor to install IPA files on iOS 10 - iOS 14. Impactor, created by saurik, is a free tool allowing you to install iOS applications without the need to jailbreak your device. If you are using either Windows or Mac, you need to have iTunes installed. A paid $99 Apple developer certificate is required!
Content Summary
In 2020 Impactor is still a working solution to sideload iOS applications. Sideloading is a method used to sign and install applications in IPA format from your drive to your device without downloading it from the official App Store. You can easily install apps to your iPhone running iOS 10 - 13.
Cydia Impactor can be also used to sign and sideload APK apps for Android devices bypassing the official GooglePlay Store. Jay Freeman is also involved in the jailbreak community, and his Impactor can be used to install unc0ver or Chimera Jailbreak on your iPhone device.
Impactor can install max 3 apps on your device. Every 7 days after signing, you will have to connect your iPhone to your computer and repeat the install process, however, you do not have to delete the apps. Only paid $99 Apple developer certificate works with Impactor in 2020.
Impactor 0.9.52 is broken by a server-side change at Apple on 7 October 2019. The app will not sign IPA files. The developer needs to fix submitDevelopmentCSR error and update Xcode 7.3 or later to continue developing with your Apple ID. Try working Cydia Impactor alternatives for Desktop.
How to use Cydia Impactor to sign IPA
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 Error List
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. The only option for now to fix the bug is to sideload apps using a third-party App Store.
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. You need first to Revoke Certificates like in the example from Error 71.
Stuck on 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.
