Installer.app (aka AppTapp) downloads packages over WiFi (wireless networking) or EDGE for installing, updating and uninstalling 3rd party native applications on your iPhone. Warning! use at your own risk. There are both a version for Mac with OSX and one for Windows. There is currently also a catalogue of available apps available maintained by a couple of repository and listings websites. Read the install instructions here and a tutorial is posted here and here as well.
Hint: Once you have installed Installer.app be sure to install the app called “Community Sources”. This app adds a few of the popular 3rd party application lists (Conceited Software and Ste Packaging) to your sources section, which has the affect of dramatically increasing the number of apps you can install. Here is a full list of all Installer.app sources.
Update: A brand new version of Installer has been released under the name Installer 4.0 which now supports the new 2.0 iPhone software and 3G iPhones. The 4.0 version delivers a brand new user interface and added functionality similar to that of Cydia. This verion of installer is in beta mode but you can install it manually at this time using these steps. ![]()
1. Jailbreak your iPhone 2.0 software if you have not already using either QuickPwn for Windows or PwnageTool for Mac.
2. Download Installer 4.0 here and unzip it
3. SCP the Installer.app folder into your /Applications folder.
4. Change Permissions by running these 2 commands:
chmod -R 777 /Applications/Installer.app
chmod a+srx /Applications/Installer.app/Installer
5. Turn off your iPhone or iPod Touch and turn it back on and should now see the new Installer 4.0 app on your home screen. There is a video demo of this process here:
Once you have Installer 4.0 installed, you can add some new apps using the following Installer 4.0 source URLs.
More details on Installer 4.0 to come.
The fastest and easiest way to install Installer on your iPhone is using QuickPwn. Here is a great video tutorial on installing and using Installer.app with WinPwn
Also take a look at this entertaining video by by David Pogue from the The New York Times. He takes you on a tour of using Installer.app to get third-party programs running on the iPhone.
There is another similar Mac OSX software called independence which can also be used to jailbreak your iPhone. The Windows PC equivalent of Installer.app is iBrickr.
Note: As of now Installer.app does not work on iPod touch, or iPhone updated with 1.1.1.
Update: To jailbreak your iPod touch you can use iJailBreak (Mac) or touchFree (Win).
Update:
Installer.app version 3.1 has been released which includes a fully redesigned user interface to match the iPhone look and feel, collapsible groups, and firmware auto-sensing. Now you can also add/remove sources easily and easily install all available updates. This version still does not work if you have already upgraded to iPhone v1.1.1. before jail breaking. Also this version requires that you upgrade to 1.1.1 after you get it installed on your 1.0.2, for it to work smoothly.
Update: If you have a virgin iPhone with the 1.1.1 updates you can use iNdependence (Mac) or iDemocracy (Win).
Have you installed 3rd party apps on your iPhone?
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Browse the full list of all iPhone and iPod touch native 3rd party apps filed under the software category. Please use these iPhone mods and hacks at your own risk!
I have been running Installer on 1.1.4 ever since it 1.1.4 was released.
I stay as updated as it gets. (:
I cannot access Installer to even view everything I have downloaded in order to re-jailbreak to my current point.
I would have to start from scratch and re-discover all my sources and the like. :/
For those with 1.0.2 and an installer that crashes, here’s what I did. It’s simple. I upgraded to 1.1.4 then used Ziphone to jailbreak and unlock. Ziphone adds installer.app to your applications. If Customize crashes, download SUID lib fix and Customize will be fine.
hectik: I have had the same issue.
Have you looked around other sites recently for any info?
Forgot to mention.. Above post is for an iPhone 1.0.2 LOL yes I’m probably the last person still with this version but I’ve had no problems untill now… Someone PLEASE HELP!!
same problem here… Installer was working fine for months and after the latest update it stopped working. Now when I open Installer it starts to load and updating status bar comes up then screen goes black and takes me back to my homescreen…. Anyone solve this yet?
i’ve got n itouch ver 1.1.4 so how can i download the installer on it!!
when i try to download something from installer or update the screen go black and restarts to home page. This used to work fine?
Anyone no what to do to get this downloading again?
will i be able to use my iPhone with other networks after jailbreaking it with Ziphone?
my iphone is running on a 1.1.2, i previously had an installer screen but after installing several apps, my installer disappeared and i do not have another page in my home screen. the installer maybe went to the “other page” but mine only has 1 page in my home screen. anyone knows what to do? can i fix this problem without undergoing reboot and jailbreaking again? thanx in advance..
please how to install jailbreak in my touch 32
I like my jailbreak in my touch 32
Paul,
Hey, i used to be confused by that too. basically, some packages just wont download. however, what happens is it is added to a queue, which is like a download list. when you try to download more stuff, it tries to download that one first, and when it fails again, it wont download the other things. so what you need to do… is go to a package you want to download, hit clear queue, and then try again. when you clear the queue, it clears the download list, and allows you to get the new program. dont worry, doing this wont delete any programs. just imagine the queue like a checklist… and it has to do the first thing on the checklist before it does any other things. and if the first thing doesnt work, it cant move on. do you get it? so when you clear the list, it gives your ipod a fresh new order to download things. clear the queue, try again, and let me know how it works.
Glad to help,
Brandon
Does anyone know if there is a problem with installer. I can’t update any package, when I truy to update all a “ERROR - Package download failed!”
Please let me know if you guys came across this problem and if so where you able to update your games and etc,… Thanks!
keely, the answer to your question is to do a restore. this will remove the installer, and give you a fresh new ipod. for all of you guys asking how to install installer, look at the previous comments, and the top of this page… there are even videos to help you through the process… come on guys, use some common sense
How do i uninstall the installer? Can anyone help me?
plz i want the installer for i pod touch and i have ver 1.1.4
where is the download link?
To get installer on your iPod Touch, go to Safari, and type in:
http://www.touchrepo.com/repo.xml
when u have internet, that is)
Hi there i didn’t find the installer software copy in my ipod touch can you teach me how to download or website bye.
i can’t open the installer app in my iphone, why?