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| 1 | +# Sideloading Guide |
| 2 | + |
| 3 | +This guide explains how to install the iOS app on your iPhone without paying for the Apple Developer Program ($100/year). |
| 4 | + |
| 5 | +## Quick Overview |
| 6 | + |
| 7 | +1. **GitHub Actions** builds the IPA automatically |
| 8 | +2. **Download** the IPA from EAS |
| 9 | +3. **Sideload** using AltStore or Sideloadly |
| 10 | +4. **Re-sign** every 7 days (free Apple ID limitation) |
| 11 | + |
| 12 | +## Step 1: Set Up GitHub Actions |
| 13 | + |
| 14 | +### Required Secret |
| 15 | +Add your Expo token to GitHub repository secrets: |
| 16 | + |
| 17 | +1. Get your Expo token: |
| 18 | + ```bash |
| 19 | + npx expo login |
| 20 | + npx eas whoami |
| 21 | + npx eas token:create |
| 22 | + ``` |
| 23 | + |
| 24 | +2. Add to GitHub: |
| 25 | + - Go to your repo → Settings → Secrets and variables → Actions |
| 26 | + - Click "New repository secret" |
| 27 | + - Name: `EXPO_TOKEN` |
| 28 | + - Value: [paste your token] |
| 29 | + |
| 30 | +### Trigger a Build |
| 31 | + |
| 32 | +Builds automatically run on push to `main` or `integration` branches. |
| 33 | + |
| 34 | +Or manually trigger: |
| 35 | +- Go to Actions tab → "Build iOS & Android" → "Run workflow" |
| 36 | + |
| 37 | +## Step 2: Download the IPA |
| 38 | + |
| 39 | +After the build completes (15-20 minutes): |
| 40 | + |
| 41 | +1. Go to https://expo.dev |
| 42 | +2. Navigate to your project → Builds |
| 43 | +3. Find the latest iOS build |
| 44 | +4. Click "Download" to get the `.ipa` file |
| 45 | + |
| 46 | +## Step 3: Sideload to Your iPhone |
| 47 | + |
| 48 | +### Option A: AltStore (Recommended) |
| 49 | +**Free, wireless, auto-refresh** |
| 50 | + |
| 51 | +1. Download AltServer from https://altstore.io |
| 52 | +2. Install AltStore on your iPhone via AltServer (follow their guide) |
| 53 | +3. Open AltStore on iPhone → My Apps → + → Select the IPA |
| 54 | +4. AltStore will auto-refresh every 7 days when on same WiFi |
| 55 | + |
| 56 | +### Option B: Sideloadly |
| 57 | +**Free, wired connection** |
| 58 | + |
| 59 | +1. Download from https://sideloadly.io |
| 60 | +2. Connect iPhone via USB |
| 61 | +3. Drag IPA into Sideloadly |
| 62 | +4. Enter Apple ID and click Start |
| 63 | +5. Manually re-sideload every 7 days |
| 64 | + |
| 65 | +### Option C: TrollStore (If Available) |
| 66 | +**Permanent install, no 7-day limit** |
| 67 | + |
| 68 | +Only works on specific iOS versions (check trollstore.app for compatibility): |
| 69 | +- Install TrollStore |
| 70 | +- Open IPA with TrollStore |
| 71 | +- No re-signing needed! |
| 72 | + |
| 73 | +## Step 4: Trust the Certificate |
| 74 | + |
| 75 | +First time installing: |
| 76 | +1. Go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management |
| 77 | +2. Tap your Apple ID |
| 78 | +3. Tap "Trust" |
| 79 | + |
| 80 | +## Troubleshooting |
| 81 | + |
| 82 | +### Build Fails |
| 83 | +- Check GitHub Actions logs |
| 84 | +- Ensure `EXPO_TOKEN` secret is set correctly |
| 85 | +- Verify `eas.json` configuration |
| 86 | + |
| 87 | +### "Untrusted Developer" |
| 88 | +- Go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management |
| 89 | +- Trust your Apple ID certificate |
| 90 | + |
| 91 | +### App Crashes on Launch |
| 92 | +- Make sure you downloaded the **iOS** build, not Android |
| 93 | +- Try rebuilding with `eas build --platform ios --profile preview --clear-cache` |
| 94 | + |
| 95 | +### Re-signing Expired (7 days) |
| 96 | +- Download the IPA again from EAS (same build works) |
| 97 | +- Or trigger a new build in GitHub Actions |
| 98 | +- Sideload again with AltStore/Sideloadly |
| 99 | + |
| 100 | +## Build Profiles Explained |
| 101 | + |
| 102 | +From `eas.json`: |
| 103 | + |
| 104 | +- **preview** (for sideloading): Creates internal distribution IPA/APK |
| 105 | + - iOS: Archive build suitable for sideloading |
| 106 | + - Android: APK file for direct install |
| 107 | + |
| 108 | +- **development**: Development client with hot reload |
| 109 | + |
| 110 | +- **production**: For App Store/Play Store submission |
| 111 | + |
| 112 | +## Cost Comparison |
| 113 | + |
| 114 | +| Method | Cost | Re-sign Frequency | |
| 115 | +|--------|------|-------------------| |
| 116 | +| Free Apple ID + Sideloading | $0 | Every 7 days | |
| 117 | +| Apple Developer Program | $100/year | Never | |
| 118 | +| TrollStore (if compatible) | $0 | Never | |
| 119 | + |
| 120 | +## Resources |
| 121 | + |
| 122 | +- [AltStore Setup Guide](https://altstore.io) |
| 123 | +- [Sideloadly Guide](https://sideloadly.io) |
| 124 | +- [EAS Build Documentation](https://docs.expo.dev/build/introduction/) |
| 125 | +- [TrollStore Compatibility](https://ios.cfw.guide/installing-trollstore/) |
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