AltStore Classic Launches in the EU, Unlocking Hundreds of Sideloaded Apps and Games on iPhone
- Sahil Mankar
- 49 minutes ago
- 2 min read
AltStore PAL users in the European Union just got access to a massive new library of apps—many of which Apple would never allow on the official App Store. As part of its one-year anniversary, the AltStore PAL team has rolled out AltStore Classic, a major new feature that essentially brings full sideloading power to iPhones—without the usual headaches.
A Store-Within-a-Store for Non-Notarized Apps
AltStore Classic brings the original AltStore’s sideloading functionality (first introduced in 2019) directly into AltStore PAL, creating a unique "store-within-a-store" structure. While it sounds unconventional, this setup offers some big wins for users in the EU—especially those interested in emulators, power-user apps, or tools Apple typically blocks.
Unlike traditional sideloading, apps installed via AltStore Classic:
Don’t expire after 7 days
Don’t require a paid Apple developer account
Don’t need AltServer on a separate computer for initial install
The only catch? You’ll still need AltServer to manage non-notarized apps post-installation—but it’s a far smoother experience overall.
New App ‘StikDebug’ Brings JIT to iPhone
In addition to AltStore Classic, the team has launched a powerful new app: StikDebug. This tool enables JIT (Just-In-Time) compilation for any app installed through Classic—unlocking entirely new possibilities on iOS, especially for emulator fans.
Previously, running more demanding emulators on iPhones was difficult (or flat-out impossible). But thanks to JIT support, users can now enjoy apps like:
Dolphin (for Wii and GameCube)
meloNX (for Nintendo Switch)
This is a big leap for gaming enthusiasts who want to run high-performance emulators directly on their iPhones—no jailbreak required.
All Thanks to the EU’s Digital Markets Act
This level of access wouldn’t be possible without the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the EU regulation that forced Apple to allow alternative app stores on iOS. AltStore PAL was one of the first to take advantage of this new legal landscape, and the addition of Classic cements its role as a major player in the iOS sideloading space.
Source: 9to5mac