What Trollstore is and why you might want it

Trollstore is an alternative app installer for iPhone that lets you put apps on your device outside of Apple's App Store. Unlike AltStore (which requires a computer and regular re-signing), Trollstore persists on your phone — the apps you install stay installed without needing to refresh them every week.

Trollstore works by using a specific vulnerability in certain iOS versions. It's not available on the latest iOS releases, and Apple patches the vulnerability when it finds it. This means Trollstore only works on particular iOS versions, and once you update past that version, you can't install it anymore.

The main reason people choose Trollstore over AltStore is convenience: once it's installed, you don't have to plug your phone into a computer repeatedly to keep your apps working. You install apps directly on the device itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Trollstore only works on iOS 15.0 through 15.4.1 and iOS 16.0 through 16.6.1 — if you're on a newer version, you cannot install it.
  • You need a jailbreak tool compatible with your iOS version to install Trollstore; the most common is Palera1n, which works on certain iPhone models.
  • The installation process involves running a jailbreak tool on your computer, connecting your iPhone, and then installing Trollstore through the jailbreak.
  • Once Trollstore is installed, you can add apps by downloading .ipa files and opening them with Trollstore directly on your phone.
  • Trollstore apps do not expire or need re-signing, but they will disappear if you update iOS or restore your device.

Check your iOS version and device compatibility

Before you start, confirm that your iPhone can run Trollstore. Open Settings, tap General, then About. Look at the iOS version number. Trollstore works only on iOS 15.0 through 15.4.1 or iOS 16.0 through 16.6.1. If you're on iOS 17 or later, Trollstore cannot be installed — you would need to use AltStore or another method instead.

Next, check whether your iPhone model is compatible with the jailbreak tool you'll use. Palera1n is the most common jailbreak for Trollstore installation and works on iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and some iPhone 14 models, but not on iPhone 15 or the latest devices. Visit the Palera1n website to confirm your exact model is supported before proceeding.

read and run the jailbreak tool on your computer

You'll need a computer (Mac or Windows) and a USB cable. read Palera1n from its official website — make sure you get the version for your computer's operating system. On Windows, you may need to install additional drivers; the Palera1n site provides links to those.

Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. Open the Palera1n process and follow its on-screen instructions. The tool will guide you through putting your phone into a specific mode (usually DFU mode), which involves a sequence of button presses. Once your phone is in the correct mode, Palera1n will install the jailbreak. This process takes several minutes and your phone will restart multiple times — this is normal.

After Palera1n finishes, your iPhone will restart and you'll see a new app called Sileo or Zebra on your home screen. This is the package manager that lets you install Trollstore and other tools.

Install Trollstore through the package manager

Open Sileo or Zebra (whichever appeared after jailbreaking). These apps work like an alternative app store for jailbroken devices. Search for "Trollstore" or "TrollStore" in the app. When you find it, tap Install. The package manager will read and install Trollstore on your phone.

Once installation finishes, you'll see a new app on your home screen called Trollstore (usually with a troll face icon). This is your new app installer. Close Sileo or Zebra — you won't need to open it again unless you want to install other jailbreak tools.

Add apps to Trollstore

Trollstore installs apps from .ipa files, which are iPhone app packages. You need to find .ipa files for the apps you want. Some sources include GitHub repositories where developers share .ipa versions of their apps, or you can extract .ipa files from apps you already own through other methods (this varies by app and is outside the scope of this guide).

Once you have an .ipa file on your phone, open it with your file manager or read app. When you tap the .ipa file, your phone will ask which app to open it with — select Trollstore. Trollstore will install the app directly, and it will appear on your home screen. Unlike AltStore apps, these apps do not expire and do not need to be re-signed.

Understand what happens if you update iOS

If you update your iPhone to iOS 17 or later, Trollstore and all apps installed through it will disappear. The jailbreak only works on the specific iOS versions listed above, so updating removes it entirely. Before you update iOS, consider whether you want to keep using Trollstore — if you do, stay on your current iOS version.

If you restore your iPhone (through Settings or iTunes), Trollstore is also removed. Regular backups and restores through iCloud do not remove Trollstore, but a full device restore does.

Troubleshooting common installation problems

If Palera1n fails to jailbreak your phone, the most common cause is that your phone didn't enter DFU mode correctly. Try the button sequence again carefully, following Palera1n's on-screen prompts exactly. If your phone is stuck in recovery mode (showing a cable and iTunes icon), connect it to a computer and use iTunes or Finder to restore it, then try again.

If Trollstore won't install from Sileo or Zebra, try restarting your phone and opening the package manager again. If Trollstore installs but won't open, or crashes when you try to add apps, restart your phone. If problems persist, check the Palera1n or Trollstore community forums — these tools are actively maintained and the communities are helpful with device-specific issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Trollstore on the latest iPhone models?

No. Trollstore only works on iPhone X through iPhone 14 (some models), and only on iOS 15 and 16. iPhone 15 and newer devices cannot run Trollstore because Apple patched the vulnerability Trollstore relies on. If you have a newer iPhone, AltStore is your alternative.

Do Trollstore apps expire like AltStore apps do?

No. Once you install an app through Trollstore, it stays on your phone indefinitely without needing to be re-signed. This is the main advantage over AltStore. However, if you update iOS or restore your device, Trollstore and all its apps are removed.

Is jailbreaking my iPhone safe?

Jailbreaking with Palera1n is generally considered safe because Palera1n is open-source and widely reviewed. However, jailbreaking does remove some of Apple's security protections, and you should only install apps from sources you trust. Avoid installing random tweaks or apps from unknown sources.

What if my iPhone model isn't compatible with Palera1n?

If your device isn't supported by Palera1n, you cannot install Trollstore. Other jailbreak tools exist (like Checkra1n), but they have different device and iOS requirements. Check the compatibility list for each tool, or consider using AltStore instead, which works on more devices and iOS versions.

Can I remove Trollstore after I install it?

Yes. Open Sileo or Zebra, search for Trollstore, and select Uninstall. This removes Trollstore but keeps the jailbreak itself on your phone. If you want to remove the jailbreak entirely, you'll need to restore your iPhone through iTunes or Finder.