ipatool is a command line tool that allows you to search for iOS apps on the App Store and download a copy of the app package, known as an ipa file.
- macOS 10.11 or later.
- Apple ID set up to use the App Store.
To search for apps on the App Store, use the search command.
OVERVIEW: Search for iOS apps available on the App Store.
USAGE: ipatool search [--log-level <log-level>] [--limit <limit>] <term>
ARGUMENTS:
<term> The term to search for.
OPTIONS:
--log-level <log-level> (default: info)
--limit <limit> (default: 5)
--version Show the version.
-h, --help Show help information.
To download a copy of the ipa file, use the download command.
OVERVIEW: Download (encrypted) iOS app packages from the App Store.
USAGE: ipatool download --bundle-identifier <bundle-identifier> [--email <email>] [--password <password>] [--log-level <log-level>]
OPTIONS:
-b, --bundle-identifier <bundle-identifier>
The bundle identifier of the target iOS app.
-e, --email <email> The email address for the Apple ID.
-p, --password <password>
The password for the Apple ID.
--log-level <log-level> (default: info)
--version Show the version.
-h, --help Show help information.
Note: You can specify the Apple ID email address and username as arguments when using the tool or by setting them as environment variables (IPATOOL_EMAIL and IPATOOL_PASSWORD). If you do not specify this information using either of those methods, the tool will prompt for user input in an interactive session.
Are my Apple ID credentials stored safely?
The tool does not store your credentials anywhere and it only communicates with Apple servers directly. Feel free to go through the source code.
Will my Apple ID get flagged for using this tool?
Maybe, but probably not. While this tool communicates with iTunes and the App Store directly, mimicking the behavior of iTunes running on macOS, I cannot guarrantee its safety. I recommend using a throwaway Apple ID. Use this tool your own risk.
Can I use this tool to download paid apps without paying for them?
No. This is is not a piracy tool; you can only download apps that you have previously install on your iOS device. This limitation applies to free apps as well. Essentially, your account must already have a license for the app you are trying to download.
Can I use this tool to sideload unuspported iOS apps on Apple Silicon Macs?
While it was previously possible to download ipa files using this tool and install them on Macs running on Apple Silicon, this is no longer the case as of recently. Apple stopped serving macOS compatible sinf data for the app package. You could, however, use this tool to get a copy of the iOS app and use a jailbroken iOS device to strip any codesigning requirements then codesign the app again using an adhoc signature to run on Apple Silicon.