Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Lord Hamsa

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 16, 2013
698
675
I haven't noticed this problem before today - I went to download an iOS app from the App Store to my M1 MBP, and it just won't download. I tried a few different apps just to check, and none of them download. I've been able to download Mac apps from the App Store just fine.
 

Psychbum

macrumors regular
Sep 18, 2012
222
50
I haven't noticed this problem before today - I went to download an iOS app from the App Store to my M1 MBP, and it just won't download. I tried a few different apps just to check, and none of them download. I've been able to download Mac apps from the App Store just fine.
I had a bizarre issue with the Mac app store in general earlier, Djay by Algoriddim had an update, but kept saying could not be updated.
 

pvhk

macrumors newbie
Feb 25, 2021
2
0
Hi,

Same issue here, cannot download any ios app on Mac App Store today!
Everything were fine yesterday. Hope this will be solved
 

Psychbum

macrumors regular
Sep 18, 2012
222
50
I also just noticed another unusual thing in Mac app store whereby apps already installed show a cloud icon, I pressed and it changed to 'OPEN' - The Mac App Store has some weird bug happening maybe...

I haven't ever tried to install a IOS app though, maybe I should try
 

agibb

macrumors newbie
Oct 17, 2004
20
1
My refurb MBA just arrived. I've updated everything, and I am having the same problem. I click on the cloud-with-an-arrow icon, get a spinny circle for a second or two, then it goes back to the cloud-with-an-arrow icon.
 

Maconplasma

Cancelled
Sep 15, 2020
2,489
2,215
Ah I wasn't aware that iOS apps could now run on M1 Macs. I thought this feature was still in the alpha stages?
 

jdb8167

macrumors 601
Nov 17, 2008
4,859
4,599
Ah I wasn't aware that iOS apps could now run on M1 Macs. I thought this feature was still in the alpha stages?
It has been official since the release of Big Sur on M1 Macs. I only use one iPadOS app but it works very well. Other apps, don't work well at all. It depends on how the developer wrote the iOS app though Apple has made some improvements since 11.2 so I might revisit some apps that were unusable before.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Maconplasma

nobodyhome

macrumors regular
Jul 2, 2008
126
3
I may have misunderstood something, but I was hoping for some clarification.

As I understand it Apple made it so you can’t download ipa files from the Mac App Store on M1 devices, but is actually running them something they’ve changed in either the MacOS or in the ipa files themselves that prevents ipa files from loading. Like, if I have the ipa downloaded (not from iMazing or something like that) can I still run the ipa file or is it blocked by the MacOS completely?

I ask because if I can run iOS apps on an M1 Mac that a tick for the Pro column for justifying the costs. I can’t tell you how fast my battery drains when playing Sky. ?
 

jdb8167

macrumors 601
Nov 17, 2008
4,859
4,599
I may have misunderstood something, but I was hoping for some clarification.

As I understand it Apple made it so you can’t download ipa files from the Mac App Store on M1 devices, but is actually running them something they’ve changed in either the MacOS or in the ipa files themselves that prevents ipa files from loading. Like, if I have the ipa downloaded (not from iMazing or something like that) can I still run the ipa file or is it blocked by the MacOS completely?

I ask because if I can run iOS apps on an M1 Mac that a tick for the Pro column for justifying the costs. I can’t tell you how fast my battery drains when playing Sky. ?
I can't currently download any of the iOS & iPadOS listed in my purchases on the Mac App Store. I think that the Mac App Store is having some temporary problems and not that they disabled this feature.
 

jakob95

macrumors newbie
Dec 28, 2016
15
1
Can you still sideload iOS apps? I'm on 11.1 and can report that I still can but I'm worried I won't be able to if I update.
 

jjjoseph

macrumors 6502a
Sep 16, 2013
504
643
Brand New MacBook Pro M1, Big Sur 11.2.2. I have yet to find an iOS app that I have been able to install. I heard that a lot of devs are not going to let their iOS apps run on the M1 MacOS, but I really really want to test running iOS on the M1. If anyone has any hacks or ways to get around this please post..

The download option from the App Store Spins for a second, then stops... :(
 

nobodyhome

macrumors regular
Jul 2, 2008
126
3
I understand people can’t download from the store, but if you already or still have the ipa file and are on the newest macOS can you still load them? Not download them; run them? I have some ipa files and if I can run them (not worried about downloading new just yet as I tackle one problem at a time) then that’s something at least.
 

xraydoc

Contributor
Oct 9, 2005
11,027
5,488
192.168.1.1
I understand people can’t download from the store, but if you already or still have the ipa file and are on the newest macOS can you still load them? Not download them; run them? I have some ipa files and if I can run them (not worried about downloading new just yet as I tackle one problem at a time) then that’s something at least.
I have several iOS apps that I downloaded last week. Still working today. Haven't tried to download a new one today.
 

ArPe

macrumors 65816
May 31, 2020
1,281
3,325
Can you still sideload iOS apps? I'm on 11.1 and can report that I still can but I'm worried I won't be able to if I update.
Hopefully not otherwise these IPAs would be pirated and injected with a mother truck load of malware and spyware.
 

Leon1das

macrumors 6502
Dec 26, 2020
285
214
Hopefully not otherwise these IPAs would be pirated and injected with a mother truck load of malware and spyware.
Not true.

Installing original IPA (which belongs to your AppleID) - is never a problem and in this context sideloading on M1 means exactly that. It works.
Older iTunes were also backing up IPAs this way.
This is useful if you want to keep older version of the app - which is original and belongs to your AppleID.

iOS (and MacOS) check for 2 things on IPA:
- the valid Apple Developer Certificate (renewed yearly)
- your AppleID signature of the IPA (proof of ownership)

Where piracy/malware are at play?

iOS can accept sideloading of non-Appstore IPAs (pirated or with malware - or both) without jailbreaking.
Most of (illegal) 3rd party Appstores are "providing" these modified IPAs.
If they provide them for free - apps will work but will require reinstall after 7 days, as they are signed with free AppleID.
If you are required to pay subscription - apps will work without time limit (as sellers use the money is used to fund Apple Developer Certificate)
However Apple tracks down these misused Developer Certificates - and you may be required again to reinstall the app. Plus your "subscription" is out of your hands - at mercy of Apple towards that "fallen" developer.
Pointless, its better to pay on Apple Store once and have the app forever.
Second - indeed - malware is a risk.
 
Last edited:
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.