📲 Install

Installing Hot Tub

So you're ready to take a dip with Hot Tub: Now what?

Hot Tub isn't available on Apple's 1st party App Store. Instead, you'll need to install it through either a 3rd party app store / marketplace, or manually install the .ipa file on your device.

📊 Installation Methods Comparison

Compare Installation Methods

Method	Computer Required	Cost	Refresh Required	Region	Best For	Notes
AltStore PAL	✨ No	🆓 Free	❌ Never	🇪🇺 EU Only	EU Users	Official marketplace
Flekstore	✨ No	💵 Paid	🔄 Monthly	🌍 Global	Convenience	Enterprise cert
Signulous	✨ No	💵 Paid	🔄 Monthly	🌍 Global	Convenience	Enterprise cert
Builds.io	✨ No	💵 Paid	🔄 Monthly	🌍 Global	Convenience	Enterprise cert
SideStore	⚡️ One-time	🆓 Free	🔄 7 days	🌍 Global	Community	Community fork
AltStore	💻 Yes	🆓 Free	🔄 7 days	🌍 Global	Traditional	Original method
LiveContainer	⚡️ One-time	🆓 Free	🔄 7 days	🌍 Global	Multi-app	Virtualization
Feather	💻 Yes	🆓 Free*	🔄 1 year	🌍 Global	Developers	Requires dev account

*Requires Apple Developer Account ($99/year)

📱 Alternative App Marketplaces

If you're based in the European Union, you can install apps from sources other than the App Store on your iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later, or your iPad with iPadOS 18 or later. Learn More

AltStore PAL

AltStore PAL is an official alternative app marketplace available only in the EU. With AltStore PAL, you can install apps not available in the App Store without the limitations of AltStore Classic.

Key Features:

🌍 EU-Only: Available exclusively in the European Union
✅ Notarized Apps: Installs properly notarized applications
📦 3rd Party Sources: Support for custom app sources
🚫 No Computer Required: Direct installation from your device
⚡️ No Expiration: Apps never expire
📱 No App Limit: Install as many apps as you want
🔧 Full iOS Capabilities: Access to all iOS features
🔒 No Apple ID Required: No need to share credentials

Comparison with AltStore Classic:

Feature	AltStore PAL	AltStore Classic
EU-Only	✅	❌
Notarized Apps	✅	❌
.ipa Files	❌	✅
3rd Party Sources	✅	✅
Computer Required	❌	✅
Apps Expire	❌	✅ (7 days)
App Limit	❌	✅ (3 apps)
Full iOS Capabilities	✅	❌
Apple ID Required	❌	✅
JIT Support	❌	✅

After installing AltStore PAL, you can install Hot Tub by adding the source to AltStore PAL.

Get Started with AltStore PAL →

🪄 Signing Services

Signing services offer a convenient method to install apps on your device without needing a computer. These services manage the signing of apps using enterprise certificates, enabling direct installation on your device. This process typically involves purchasing a signing certificate or subscription from the service provider.

FlekSt0re

FlekSt0re is a user-friendly sideloading platform for iOS that offers a comprehensive app library and is available worldwide without regional restrictions. We have an affiliate link with them, where if you purchase a certificate we receive a portion of the proceeds.

Key Features:

📱 App Library: Extensive collection of apps with an amazing user interface
🎯 Nothing Extra: No cables, no computer, no jailbreak required
🔑 Any Certificates: Use your own certificates or developer accounts for free, or use their revocable certificates
🛠️ Signer: Sign and install any app using .ipa files from the internet
📦 Third Party Sources: Support for custom app libraries and AltSources repositories
⚙️ Configuring Apps: Customize apps before installation (icon, name, bundle ID, tweaks)
🎨 UI Customization: Flexible color and theme settings to match your style

Benefits:

🌍 Available worldwide
🔄 Monthly refresh cycle
📱 No computer required
🛡️ Certificate restoration in case of revocation
🔧 Advanced app customization options
📦 Support for duplicate apps
🎯 User-friendly interface

You can add FlekSt0re to your device by going to http://flekstore.com/HotTub. Once installed, you can add the (altstore compatible) source https://hottubapp.io/altstore to FlekSt0re.

Get Started with FlekSt0re →

Signulous

Signulous is a signing service that allows you to install apps directly on your device without a computer. It requires a paid subscription but provides a convenient way to install and manage apps.

Key Features:

📚 Massive App Library: Thousands of apps updated daily, including tweaked games, ad blockers, emulators, and jailbreaks
🛠️ Effortless Customization: Change app names, icons, install duplicates, enable push notifications, and upload custom IPA files
⚡️ Advanced Signing: Cloud-based platform using Apple Silicon for fast and correct app signing
👥 Real Human Support: Dedicated team of sideloading experts ready to help

Benefits:

🌍 Available worldwide
🔄 Monthly refresh cycle
📱 No computer required
🛡️ Enterprise certificates
🔧 Advanced app customization
📦 Support for custom IPA files
🎯 User-friendly interface
💬 Expert support team

Get Started with Signulous →

Builds.io

Builds.io is another signing service that offers direct installation of apps on your device. It requires a paid subscription and provides a user-friendly interface for managing your installed apps.

Key Features:

📚 Extensive App Library: Access to apps denied by the App Store (50k+ monthly)
🌍 Global Availability: Serving users worldwide since 2013
🔄 Monthly Refresh: Enterprise certificate-based signing
📱 Direct Installation: Install apps directly from Safari browser
🛡️ Content Policy: Strict app verification, no malware or viruses
👥 Developer Platform: Connect with thousands of users

Installation Steps:

Create an account and purchase subscription
Download the configuration profile
Install the profile (requires device password)
Access the app library and install your favorite apps

Benefits:

🌍 Available worldwide
🔄 Monthly refresh cycle
📱 No computer required
🛡️ Enterprise certificates
🔒 Secure installation process
📦 Large app selection
🎯 User-friendly interface
👨‍💻 Developer-friendly platform

Get Started with Builds.io →

Read their setup guide →

💻 Side-Loading

If you're not located within the EU, you can still install Hot Tub with a process known as "side-loading". Side loading refers to the process of using a computer to install apps on your device, without the need for an app store.

SideStore

SideStore is a community-driven fork of AltStore that offers enhanced features and improved user experience. It requires only a one-time computer setup and provides a more streamlined sideloading experience.

Key Benefits:

🆓 Completely free to use
⚡️ One-time computer setup only
🔄 7-day refresh cycle
📱 Supports both iPhone and iPad
🖥️ Available for Windows and macOS
🔒 Uses your own Apple ID for signing
🎯 Up to 10 app IDs per Apple ID
🔄 Wireless refresh support
🛡️ Enhanced security features

Requirements:

Computer (Windows/macOS) for initial setup
USB cable (for initial setup only)
Apple ID
iTunes (Windows) or Finder (macOS)
iCloud (Windows)

Installation Steps:

Download SideStore from docs.sidestore.io
Install SideStore on your computer
Connect your device via USB
Install SideStore on your device
Trust your developer certificate in Settings

After installing SideStore, you can install Hot Tub by adding the source to SideStore.

Get Started with SideStore →

AltStore (World)

AltStore is a free app that allows you to install and refresh apps on your iOS device. It uses your Apple ID to sign apps, with a limit of 10 app IDs and a 7-day refresh requirement.

Key Features:

🆓 Completely free to use
🔄 7-day refresh cycle
📱 Supports both iPhone and iPad
🖥️ Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
🔒 Uses your own Apple ID for signing
🎯 Up to 10 app IDs per Apple ID

Installation Requirements:

Computer (Windows/macOS/Linux)
USB cable (for initial setup)
Apple ID
iTunes (Windows) or Finder (macOS)
iCloud (Windows)

Installation Steps:

Download AltServer from AltStore.io
Install AltServer on your computer
Connect your device via USB
Install AltStore on your device
Trust your developer certificate in Settings

After installing AltStore, you can install Hot Tub by adding the source to AltStore.

Get Started with AltStore →

LiveContainer

LiveContainer is a powerful virtualization app that allows you to run multiple apps within a single container, effectively bypassing the 3-app limit of free Apple IDs. It's perfect for users who want to sideload multiple apps without paying for a developer account.

Key Benefits:

🎯 Counts as only ONE app toward your sideloading limit
🔄 Only needs to refresh the container itself, not individual apps
🛡️ No need for DNS blocking or server revokes
📱 Can run multiple apps (limited by device storage)
🎮 Supports JIT for emulators and gaming apps

Requirements:

iOS 16 or later (for StosVPN support)
Free Apple ID
Initial PC setup required
StosVPN app from App Store

Note: While powerful, LiveContainer has some limitations:

Can only run one app at a time (unless using multiple containers)
Notifications don't work within the container
Requires closing the container to switch apps

Get Started with LiveContainer →

Feather

Feather is a free and open-source alternative to signing services like ESign. It's designed to work seamlessly with Apple Developer Program accounts, allowing you to sign and install applications directly on your device.

Key Features: - 🛠️ AltStore repo support (Legacy and 2.0 repo structures)

📦 Import and sign your own .ipa files
🔧 Inject tweaks during the signing process
📱 Over-the-air installation to your device
🔑 Support for multiple certificates
⚙️ Configurable signing options (name, bundle ID, version, plist options)
🔄 Easy app resigning with different certificates
🔒 Privacy-focused (no tracking or analytics)
🏗️ Designed for Apple Developer Program accounts

Requirements:

Apple Developer Account ($99/year)
iOS device
No computer needed for regular use

Note: While Feather requires an Apple Developer Account, it provides a more reliable and feature-rich experience compared to free alternatives. It's particularly useful for developers or users who need to frequently sign and install apps.

Get Started with Feather →

If you are in need of assistance, please reach out via email or join our discord group.