You can install some apps without an Apple ID, but Apple makes it difficult by design
Apple requires an Apple ID to read apps from the App Store on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. There is no official way around this requirement. However, you have a few real options if you do not want to create an Apple ID: you can use someone else's account, install apps through a Mac without the App Store, or use sideloading on newer iPhones — which means installing apps from outside Apple's official store.
Each option has trade-offs. Using someone else's ID means they can see your purchases and location. Installing outside the App Store on a Mac requires more technical steps and removes Apple's security checks. Sideloading on iPhone is new and limited. Understanding what each path costs you in privacy and security helps you decide what fits your actual risk tolerance.
Key Takeaways
- The App Store requires an Apple ID on all devices, but you can use a family member's account if they let you — though they will see your app purchases and location data.
- On a Mac, you can read apps directly from a developer's website and install them without the App Store or an Apple ID, but you lose Apple's built-in security scanning.
- iPhone and iPad now allow sideloading through third-party app stores like AltStore or Sideloadly, but this requires a computer and works only on iOS 17.4 or later in certain regions.
- Any method that bypasses the App Store removes Apple's review process, which means apps are not checked for malware or privacy violations before you install them.
Using a family member's Apple ID
The simplest workaround is to ask someone you trust — a parent, partner, or adult family member — to let you use their Apple ID. You sign into their account on your device, read the apps you want, then sign out. This works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
The cost is real: the account owner can see every app you read, every in-app purchase you make, and your location if they have Family Sharing turned on. They also receive notifications when you read apps. If you are a minor, a parent or guardian may need to approve purchases anyway, so this might be the intended path. If you are an adult, you are giving someone else visibility into your app use and spending.
To use someone else's account without giving them your password, ask them to set up Family Sharing on their device. They add your email address, and you get your own sub-account under theirs. You can read apps without them seeing your location, though they still see what you install. This is the least invasive shared-account option.
Downloading apps directly on a Mac
On a Mac, you can bypass the App Store entirely and read apps straight from a developer's website. Many software makers — Zoom, VLC, Firefox, Slack — let you read installers directly. You do not need an Apple ID, and the developer does not need to list the app in Apple's store.
Open the developer's website, find the read link, and run the installer. On newer Macs, you may see a security warning saying the app is from an unidentified developer. Click "Open Anyway" in System Settings > Privacy & Security to proceed. This is safe if you trust the developer, but it means Apple has not scanned the app for malware.
The trade-off: Apple's App Store reviews every app before it goes live and scans for obvious malware and privacy violations. When you read directly, you lose that layer of checking. You are trusting the developer's own security practices. This works well for established companies like Adobe or Microsoft, but carries more risk with smaller or unknown developers.
Sideloading apps on iPhone and iPad
Starting in iOS 17.4, Apple allows sideloading — installing apps from sources other than the App Store — in certain regions including the European Union. If your device is set to a region where sideloading is allowed, you can use third-party app stores like AltStore or Sideloadly to read apps without an Apple ID.
The process requires a Mac or Windows computer. You read the sideloading app to your computer, connect your iPhone or iPad, and use it to install apps onto your device. AltStore and Sideloadly are free and open-source, meaning their code is publicly available for security researchers to review.
Sideloading removes Apple's review process entirely. Apps installed this way are not checked for malware, privacy violations, or whether they steal your data. You are responsible for vetting the app yourself. If you sideload an app from an untrusted source, you have no recourse if it harms your device or steals your information. This is the highest-risk option but also the most independent — you are not relying on Apple's or anyone else's judgment about what is safe.
Creating a free Apple ID if you change your mind
If you decide an Apple ID is worth it, you can create one for free without a payment method. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign In on iPhone or iPad, or System Settings > [Your Name] on Mac. Choose "Create a new Apple ID" and follow the prompts. You will need an email address and a phone number for two-factor authentication.
You do not have to add a credit card. During setup, you can choose "None" as your payment method. This limits you to free apps and free trials, but you can add a payment method later if you want to buy something.
Why Apple requires an Apple ID
Apple's stated reason is security: an Apple ID lets them track which devices you own, prevent unauthorized access, and revoke apps if they turn out to be malicious. An ID also ties your purchases to you, so if you lose your phone, you can reinstall your apps on a new one.
The business reason is that an Apple ID is how Apple tracks you across their ecosystem. It connects your iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch. It lets them know what apps you use, what you buy, and where you are. This data is valuable for advertising and for understanding user behavior. Requiring an ID also locks users into Apple's platform — switching to Android or Windows means losing access to your purchased apps.
From a security standpoint, Apple's review process does catch some malware and privacy violations before apps reach users. But it is not perfect, and it also gives Apple the power to remove apps for political or business reasons, not just safety ones.
Comparing your options
| Method | Requires Apple ID | Security check | Who sees your activity | Effort level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family member's account | Yes (theirs) | Yes, App Store review | Account owner sees all downloads | Low |
| Direct read on Mac | No | No, developer only | No one (unless app phones home) | Low to medium |
| Sideloading on iPhone | No | No, you decide | No one (unless app phones home) | Medium to high |
| Free Apple ID | Yes (yours) | Yes, App Store review | Apple sees downloads and location | Low |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read paid apps without an Apple ID?
No. Paid apps require an Apple ID and a payment method attached to it, whether it is your own account or someone else's. Sideloading and direct downloads on Mac work only for free apps or apps the developer distributes outside the App Store.
Is sideloading safe?
Sideloading itself is safe — the process does not harm your device. But the apps you sideload are not reviewed by Apple, so you are trusting the developer entirely. Stick to well-known open-source projects like AltStore or apps from developers you recognize. Avoid sideloading from unknown sources.
What happens if I use someone else's Apple ID and they delete their account?
You lose access to the apps you downloaded under their account. You cannot update them or reinstall them on a new device. If you want to keep using those apps, you will need to read them again under your own Apple ID.
Can I read apps on Mac without the App Store?
Yes. Many developers let you read installers directly from their websites. This works for apps like Zoom, Slack, Firefox, and VLC. You do not need an Apple ID, but you also do not get Apple's security review.
Does Apple know what apps I sideload?
Apple cannot see sideloaded apps in the same way they see App Store downloads. However, if a sideloaded app sends data to Apple's servers (some do for crash reporting), Apple may see that. The app itself might also report your activity to its developer or other services.