How to Install TrollStore Without AltStore: Methods, Requirements, and What to Expect

TrollStore has become one of the most talked-about tools in the iOS sideloading world — and for good reason. Unlike traditional sideloading apps, TrollStore installs IPAs permanently without requiring re-signing every seven days. But many users want to install it without relying on AltStore. The good news: there are several legitimate paths to do exactly that. The right one depends heavily on your iOS version and device.

What Is TrollStore and Why Does the Install Method Matter?

TrollStore is a permanent IPA installer for iOS that exploits a CoreTrust bug to install apps that are fully signed, persistent, and don't expire. This is a fundamentally different architecture from AltStore, which re-signs apps using your Apple ID and requires refresh every seven days.

Because TrollStore itself needs to be bootstrapped onto a device in the first place, the installation process depends entirely on which iOS version you're running. Apple has patched the CoreTrust vulnerability in newer iOS releases, so compatibility is version-specific — not device-specific.

Supported iOS Versions for TrollStore Installation

Before choosing a method, you need to confirm your iOS version falls within a supported range. TrollStore (including TrollStore 2) generally supports:

Always verify the exact minor version (e.g., 16.5 vs. 16.6.1) against the current TrollStore compatibility list before proceeding.

Method 1: Using TrollInstallerMDC (No AltStore Required)

For devices running iOS 15.7.1 to 16.1.2, the TrollInstallerMDC method is one of the most direct approaches. MDC stands for MacDirtyCow — a kernel vulnerability that was patched in later iOS releases.

How it works:

1. Download the TrollInstallerMDC IPA from the official TrollStore GitHub repository
2. Install it using a non-AltStore sideloading tool such as Sideloadly or TrollMisaka, or directly via a developer certificate if you have one
3. Run TrollInstallerMDC on your device
4. It will install TrollStore's persistence helper into a system app
5. Open that system app, tap Install TrollStore

The key distinction here: you use a temporary sideloader only once to bootstrap TrollInstallerMDC. After that, TrollStore itself is permanent.

Method 2: Using Misaka or TrollMisaka

Misaka is a tweak manager that supports some of the same iOS versions and can be used as a bootstrap tool for TrollStore installation. TrollMisaka, a variant, specifically targets the TrollStore installation flow.

This method is particularly relevant for:

• iOS 15.x and lower 16.x builds
• Users who want to avoid any Apple ID-based sideloading entirely

The process follows a similar bootstrapping pattern — install TrollMisaka temporarily, use it to inject the persistence helper, then complete TrollStore installation through the designated system app.

Method 3: Using Sideloadly With a Developer Certificate

Sideloadly is a desktop-based IPA installer (available for Windows and macOS) that doesn't require AltStore at all. It communicates with Apple's signing servers using your Apple ID to create a temporary certificate.

This method works to install the bootstrapper IPA only — not TrollStore directly. You:

1. Connect your device to your computer
2. Load the appropriate TrollStore installer IPA into Sideloadly
3. Sign and install it using your Apple ID (free or paid developer account)
4. Run the installer on-device to complete TrollStore setup

⚠️ With a free Apple ID, the installed app still expires after seven days — but since it's just a one-time installer, you typically only need it to run successfully once before TrollStore takes over with permanent signing.

Method 4: Using a Paid Developer Account (Enterprise or Personal Team)

If you have a paid Apple Developer account, you can sign and install IPAs directly via Xcode or tools like iOS App Installer without involving AltStore at all. The workflow:

1. Open Xcode → Devices and Simulators
2. Drag and drop the installer IPA
3. Install to your connected device
4. Run the installer on-device

This approach gives you more control and eliminates dependency on third-party signing services, but it does require a Mac and an active developer subscription.

The Variables That Determine Which Path Works for You

No single method applies universally. The factors that shape your options include:

• iOS version — This is the most critical variable. Methods tied to specific exploits (like MDC) are hard-capped at certain iOS versions
• Device model — A14 and later chips may behave differently from older silicon in edge cases
• Access to a computer — Some methods require macOS or Windows; others are fully on-device
• Whether you have a developer account — A paid certificate opens up cleaner install paths
• Technical comfort level — Methods involving Xcode or command-line tools require more hands-on familiarity 🛠️
• Willingness to use temporary sideloaders — Even "AltStore-free" methods often involve some form of initial signing to get the bootstrapper running

What "Permanent" Actually Means Here

One distinction worth understanding clearly: TrollStore installs apps that won't expire because they're signed with the CoreTrust exploit rather than a developer certificate. This is different from AltStore's model entirely. Once TrollStore is on your device, you don't need any external signing infrastructure to install future IPAs through it. 📲

The persistence helper (installed into a system app like Tips or Weather) is what allows TrollStore to survive reboots and updates.

The Gap That Remains

Every method described here is real and functional within the right conditions — but which one is viable for your device comes down to details only you can verify: your exact iOS build number, whether you're on a supported architecture, what tools you have access to, and how much friction you're willing to accept during setup. The method that's technically simplest isn't always the one that fits your specific situation cleanest.