With a free Apple Developer account, Apple limits how many apps you can have signed for sideloading at once: typically three apps per device (plus the sideloading app itself, e.g. SideStore). Understanding this limit helps you plan which apps to install and how to rotate them using iLoader and SideStore.
What Counts Toward the Limit?
- Each sideloaded app (IPA you install with your Apple ID) counts as one of your slots.
- SideStore (or AltStore, etc.) usually uses one slot so it can stay on your device and refresh the others.
- So in practice you often have two or three additional slots for apps like uYou+, Instagram++, games, or emulators—depending on how your tool is set up.
What Happens When You Hit the Limit?
If you try to install a new app when all slots are used, you’ll get an error (e.g. “maximum number of apps” or “could not install”). You need to:
- Remove one sideloaded app from the device (delete the app), or
- Revoke an old certificate so that one of the existing app “slots” is freed (see Fix Revoked Certificate and certificate management in iLoader).
After freeing a slot, you can install a different IPA. You can always reinstall an app later by sideloading it again.
Tips for Managing the 3 App Limit
- Prioritize — Keep SideStore (or your main sideloading app) plus the 2–3 apps you use most (e.g. one tweaked app, one game, one utility).
- Rotate — Uninstall an app you don’t need right now and sideload another; you can switch back anytime by reinstalling the IPA.
- Refresh — Use SideStore’s refresh so your chosen apps don’t expire; that doesn’t add more slots but keeps the ones you have working.
- Certificates — If you see “too many certificates” or revoke errors, manage or revoke old certificates in iLoader so Apple doesn’t block new installs.
Paid Developer Account ($99/year)
With a paid Apple Developer account, you get more app slots and longer provisioning validity. For most users, the free account plus smart use of 2–3 slots is enough; upgrade only if you need more apps signed at once.
Related Reading
Free Apple Developer Account, Fix Revoked Certificate, Refresh SideStore Apps, Best iOS Sideloading Apps.