How to Install IPA Files Directly on iPhone with iFunbox

If you have been an Installous-user all these years, the recent shutting down of the service would have come as a shock. A lot of users are now looking for Installous alternative solutions and methods. Installous made things enormously simple so there's really no way you can think of to make the alternative processes simple.

However, there's this software called iFunbox which has had a pretty good run amidst jailbreakers.

iFunbox is a SSH-type device with a good GUI. It's basically the usual shell guy with a beautiful face so you can interact in a more intuitive way with your iPhone.

And the best thing is, iFunbox lets you download and install IPA files directly to your iPhone. Jailbreak or no jailbreak, you can install IPA files directly. However, sync and successful running of the app remains a little problematic (some users get it done successfully while some users don't).

 

Here's what you need:

• iFunbox (Win | Mac)
• An iPhone/iPad
• A PC/Mac with USB cable to connect the iDevice
• The .IPA file

Here's how to install IPA files on your iPhone with iFunbox:

Step 1: Connect your device to the system

Step 2: Open iFunbox

Step 3: After your device has been recognized by iFunbox, click on "Install App"

Step 4: Choose the ipa file that you downloaded

Step 5: iFunbox will try and install the app on your iPhone

Step 6: Disconnect your iPhone after the installation is complete. Restart the device.

Step 7: Open the installed application: hopefully, if things have gone well, you should be able to run the app.

As always, there are downsides to this. Since you've basically installed an app by SSH-ing into your iPhone, you might have problems syncing or updating the app. For instances, you might see problems when you try to sync this installed app with iTunes because iTunes doesn't recognize this app as a "purchase."

Nevertheless, if you're looking to test apps, this is a simple and elegant way to do. Also, for all those enthusiasts who like to try an app before they buy it from the App Store, this could be a very viable option.

vShare and AppCake Are Considerable Installous Alternatives

Now that Installous has disappeared - or rather, shut down because the team at Hackulo.us thought things aren't as active as before  you should be looking for alternatives.

There are plenty of alternatives to Installous but one fact that you'd probably agree is nothing is as simple and elegant as Installous itself. In a way, it was like Cydia: one single stop for all the resources you ever needed. In this case, resources was those precious IPA files.

But let's accept the fact that the Cydia app is gone for the moment (we still hope that it will be back). Thankfully, with problems surfacing in Installous much earlier, we have been looking for good, considerable alternatives that are as good, if not better.

There are number of great alternatives but of course, it's a hard time for hardcore fans of Installous who have been happily using the simplified interface. Two of the very best alternatives are reviewed here.

1. AppCake

Without a doubt, AppCake from the iPhoneCake repo comes as the finest alternative right now. The benefits lie in the fact that you don't have to install any AppSync for AppCake to work and secondly, the interface is kind of intuitive and simple. 

AppCake is available in http://cydia.iphonecake.com repo (which you have to add in Cydia -> Manage -> Sources -> Edit -> Add)

2. vShare

vShare (formerly AppVV) has gained instant prominence now. Not surprisingly because the folks behind it have produced a really amazing piece of a software that works with iOS 6. Configured for the iPhone and iPad, vShare is right now available for download through their website at http://v.appvv.com/en 

vShare requires that you install AppSync. Currently, as the entire Hackulo.us repo is down with no signs of coming back up, you will need to find third-party sources (like the SiNfuLiPhone repo) to get AppSync. If you have AppSync already, no worries.