You need an Apple ID to read apps from the App Store, but you can use apps without one

The App Store requires an Apple ID to read anything — there is no way around this requirement. However, you have two realistic paths: create a free Apple ID (which takes about five minutes), or use apps that do not come from the App Store at all.

If you want to avoid creating an account, your options narrow significantly. You can sideload apps on Mac using files downloaded from the web, but this requires understanding security settings and trusting the source of each file. On iPad or iPhone, sideloading is much more restricted. For most people, the fastest route is straightforward creating a free Apple ID — it costs nothing and opens access to hundreds of thousands of apps.

Key Takeaways

  • The App Store will not let you read anything without an Apple ID, even free apps.
  • Creating a free Apple ID takes about five minutes and requires only an email address and password.
  • On Mac, you can read and install apps directly from websites without the App Store, but you must trust the source and adjust security settings.
  • On iPhone and iPad, sideloading apps is technically possible but requires a computer and developer tools, making it impractical for most users.
  • If you already have an Apple ID but forgot the password, you can reset it through the Apple website without losing access to your device.

Creating a free Apple ID in five minutes

Open the App Store on your device. On Mac, click the App Store icon in the Dock or Launchpad. On iPhone or iPad, tap the App Store app (the blue icon with a white square). Look for any app and tap or click "Get" — the system will prompt you to sign in.

Tap "Create Apple ID" or "Don't have an Apple ID?" at the sign-in screen. You will be asked for an email address (this becomes your Apple ID), a password, your birth date, and your name. The email does not have to be an Apple email — any working email address works. Once you enter these details, Apple sends a verification code to that email. Check your inbox, enter the code, and you are done. Your Apple ID is now active and you can read apps when ready.

If you want to add a payment method later, you can do so in Settings (on iPhone or iPad) or System Settings (on Mac) under your name, then tap "Payment & Shipping." For now, you can read any free app without entering payment information.

Downloading apps directly on Mac without the App Store

On Mac, you can read app files (usually ending in .dmg or .zip) directly from a company's website and install them without ever opening the App Store. This works for many popular programs like Firefox, VLC, or Zoom. Go to the company's official website, find the read button, and save the file to your Downloads folder.

Once the file downloads, double-click it. For .dmg files, a window opens showing the app icon and an Applications folder — drag the app icon into the Applications folder. For .zip files, the system automatically unpacks them, and you can move the resulting app to Applications the same way. The app is now installed and you can open it from Launchpad or Applications.

The main risk is that you must trust the source. Only read from official websites or well-known sources. If you read an app from an unknown website, your Mac may block it with a security warning. You can override this by right-clicking the app, selecting "Open," and confirming you want to run it — but only do this if you are certain the source is legitimate.

Why iPhone and iPad are different

iPhone and iPad do not allow you to install apps from websites the way Mac does. Every app must come through the App Store, which means you must have an Apple ID. There is no technical workaround that does not involve a computer and developer tools.

Sideloading on iPhone or iPad is possible but requires Xcode (Apple's developer software), a Mac, and knowledge of how to compile and sign apps — this is not a practical option for most people. For everyday use, creating an Apple ID is the only realistic path.

If you forgot your Apple ID password

Go to iforgot.apple.com on any device. Enter your Apple ID email address and follow the prompts. Apple will send a verification code to your email or ask you to answer security questions you set up when you created the account. Once you verify your identity, you can create a new password.

You do not need to know your old password to reset it, and resetting your password does not sign you out of your devices or erase anything. The next time you try to read an app, you will straightforward enter your new password.

Using Family Sharing to read apps under someone else's ID

If you share a device with family members, you can set up Family Sharing so that one person's Apple ID (usually a parent or account holder) manages app downloads for the whole group. The organizer buys or downloads apps once, and family members can install them on their own devices without needing their own payment method.

To set this up on Mac, open System Settings, click your name at the top, then select "Family." On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, then select "Family Sharing." The organizer invites family members by email, and once they accept, they can read any free app or any app the organizer has already purchased. This is useful if you want to avoid creating multiple accounts but still need separate user profiles on a shared device.

What to do if the App Store is not working

If you see an error when trying to read an app, first check that you are connected to the internet and that your Apple ID password is correct. Sign out of the App Store and sign back in: on Mac, click your name in the App Store window and select "Sign Out," then sign back in. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap your name, scroll down, and tap "Sign Out."

If that does not work, restart your device. On Mac, choose Apple menu > Restart. On iPhone or iPad, hold the power button until "Slide to Power Off" appears, swipe to turn off, wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. After restarting, try downloading the app again. If the problem continues, the App Store servers may be temporarily down — try again in an hour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read free apps without paying anything?

Yes. Free apps do not require a payment method, only an Apple ID. Once you create your free Apple ID, you can read any free app from the App Store without entering a credit card or other payment information.

What happens if I create an Apple ID and then delete it?

Deleting an Apple ID is permanent and will remove access to any apps you downloaded with that ID, as well as any iCloud data associated with it. If you straightforward want to stop using an account, you can sign out instead — your apps stay on your device, but you will not receive updates. Only delete an account if you are certain you will not need it again.

Can I use someone else's Apple ID to read apps on my device?

Technically yes, but it is not recommended. If you sign in with someone else's ID, they can see your read history and you will receive their app updates. Family Sharing is the better option if you want to share apps with family members while keeping separate accounts.

Do I need to use my real name when creating an Apple ID?

Apple asks for your name during account creation, but you can enter any name you want — it does not have to match your legal name. The important part is that you use an email address you actually have access to, because Apple uses it to verify your account and send password reset codes.

What if I want to read an app that is not available in my country's App Store?

You would need to change your Apple ID's country or region, which requires updating your payment method and billing address to match that country. This is complicated and may violate the terms of service for apps restricted to certain regions. The simpler option is to look for an alternative app available in your region.