SideStore + LiveContainer — Ultimate Sideloading Guide
Hi! Today I’ll show you how to bypass the iOS 3-app limit imposed on free Apple accounts when sideloading, by using LiveContainer with SideStore, and how to automate refreshes to reduce the chance of revokes.
Requirements
PC (one-time use) for SideStore
SideStore latest version installed on your iOS device (see https://sidestore.io/#get-started)
LiveContainer IPA file
Shortcuts app installed on your device
StosVPN app installed on your device
Apple ID (for signing)
Now that you have SideStore on your device, let’s install LiveContainer.
Notes
When switching between apps inside LiveContainer, you need to force close and reopen LiveContainer.
Some apps that require deeper system-level integration may not work correctly (e.g.: Ad blockers that require adding profiles in Settings)
When installing or updating apps inside SideStore make sure you’re connected to StosVPN.
LiveContainer is what enables us to bypass the 3-app limit. Always install your apps inside LiveContainer, not SideStore.
Installing LiveContainer
Download the LiveContainer IPA from GitHub directly on your iPhone.
Connect to StosVPN.
Open SideStore → My Apps tab.
Tap the ➕ button (top-left) to add a new app.
Select the downloaded IPA and wait for installation to complete.
Optional: Install LiveContainer2 later for multitasking (see Second Container section).
Setting Up LiveContainer in JIT-Less Mode
For SideStore 0.6.2+
Open Settings in LiveContainer.
Tap “Import Certificate from SideStore”.
When SideStore opens with an export prompt, tap “Export”.
Return to LiveContainer.
Tap “JIT-Less Mode Diagnose” → “Test JIT-Less Mode”.
If it shows “JIT-Less Mode Test Passed”, you’re ready.
Installing Apps Within LiveContainer
Open LiveContainer → Apps tab → ➕ button (top-left).
Choose “Install IPA file” or “Install from URL”.
Select the desired IPA file.
Wait for the app to be added, then run it.
Adding Apps to Home Screen
App Clips Method
Long-press the app in LiveContainer → Add to Home Screen → Create App Clip.
Trust the App Clip profile: Settings → General → VPN & Device Management.
The app will now appear on your Home Screen.
Shortcuts Method
Long-press the app → Add to Home Screen → Save App Icon and Copy Launch URL.
Open Shortcuts App → ➕ → Add Action → Open URLs → paste the Launch URL.
Test the shortcut → Share → Add to Home Screen → assign a custom icon if desired.
To launch from the second container, edit the URL scheme to “livecontainer2://livecontainer-launch?...”.
Setting Up a Second LiveContainer (Optional)
This allows you to run two different apps simultaneously.
Open LiveContainer → Settings.
Tap “Install Another LiveContainer”.
Save the LiveContainer2 IPA file, then install it via SideStore.
First container will have a blue icon; second will have a grey icon.
To use an app in the second container: open the first LiveContainer (blue), long-press the app → Open app settings → Convert to Shared App → Open LiveContainer2 (grey) to launch the app. Close and reopen LiveContainer2 to see changes.
Automatic Refreshing
Automation reduces manual re-signing and lowers the chance of revokes.
Use the SideStore Auto Refresh shortcut template: Shortcut
Configure the template: select StosVPN for the VPN action, set Wait to 8 seconds, include Refresh All Apps action from SideStore, then Disconnect VPN.
Test the shortcut manually and confirm on SideStore → My Apps shows unchanged app IDs after the run.
Automate the shortcut: Shortcuts → Automation → Create new automation → set time and schedule (e.g., 5:00 AM, Mon/Wed/Fri), disable notifications, choose the SideStore Auto Refresh shortcut.
The shortcut will run on schedule and refresh SideStore in the background.
Done! You should now have a working LiveContainer setup that bypasses the 3-app limit and refreshes automatically.