7 Ways to Download Apps on iPhone without Apple ID

Kelly Wu
Last updated: Jun 6, 2025

Discover 7 solutions for downloading apps on your iPhone without an Apple ID. Read on for details.

In most cases, you must enter your Apple ID password when downloading an app. However, sometimes you may forget your Apple ID password or want to access the app while bypassing your Apple account.

You are not the only one who wants to bypass the app password requirement. In this guide, we’ll explore several methods to download apps on your iPhone or iPad without an Apple ID. From using the “Family Sharing” feature to installing apps via iTunes or Finder, this guide will provide proven solutions to meet your needs.

7 Ways to Download Apps on iPhone without Apple ID

How to Download Apps on Apple without Apple ID?

Whether for privacy reasons, forgotten credentials, or to avoid creating an Apple ID, we'll explore various methods to download apps on Apple without an Apple ID.

Disable Require Password in Settings

While the Apple password requirement is designed to protect your account safety, this feature can be turned off if you don’t need it anymore.

In this part, we will walk you through the steps to disable the “Require Password” setting on your iPhone. By doing so, you can enjoy a more seamless app installation experience on your device.

Disable Require Password in Settings

Here are the steps:

  1. Go to the Settings app and tap on your Apple ID.
  2. Choose “Media & Purchases”.
  3. Tap on “Password Settings” or “iTunes & App Store”.
  4. Go to App Store: Scroll down and select App Store.
  5. Under the “Free Downloads” section, toggle off the option - Require Password.

Use Pre-installed Apps

Some devices come with pre-installed apps that you can use directly. This means that you can add apps to your iPhone without an Apple ID. You can check if what you need is already available on your device in the App Library:

Use Pre-installed Apps
  1. Swipe left to reach the App Library.
  2. In the library, you’ll see all your apps organized into categories. Pre-installed apps will be mixed with other apps.

You can also check in the “Settings” app:

  1. Open the “Settings” app.
  2. Scroll down to see a list of apps. Search for the pre-installed apps here.

Use Family Sharing

If a family member has an Apple ID, you can ask them to set up Family Sharing. This feature allows different Apple users to share purchases and subscriptions of a paid application without an Apple ID.

With Family Sharing, you can access more content, including purchased apps, music, movies, and books, all without entering your own Apple ID. This means you won’t have to buy the same apps or media separately.

Set up Family Sharing

It’s quite easy to enable the Family Sharing feature. The family member who has an Apple ID can initiate the process by going to their device settings, selecting their Apple ID, and then choosing the Family Sharing option. They can invite you and other family members to join the group. Totally, they can involve up to 6 people. Once you're added, you'll enjoy the family's shared purchases and subscriptions to a certain application without an Apple ID.

Install Web-Based Apps

When installing web-based apps, you don’t need to enter your Apple ID password. Usually, you can access a web-based app through a web browser. Install web-based apps without an Apple ID password, as they don’t need any additional authentication. Always ensure you’re using trusted sources when accessing web-based apps. Protect your personal information while installing an application.

Install Web-Based Apps

Here’s how to download a web-based app on your iPhone without an Apple ID.

  1. Launch the Safari browser on your iPhone.
  2. Locate the web app in Safari. Tap the “Share” button to add to your home screen.
  3. Name the app and then tap on the “Add ” icon.
  4. Launch the app when it appears on your home screen.

Use iTunes or Finder

You can also bypass the App Store’s standard requirements by installing apps from .ipa files. Then you can jailbreak and bypass the app passcode through iTunes or Finder.

You can obtain .ipa files from many channels and sources. Nevertheless, make sure to get the file from trustworthy sources and avoid security risks.

Install .ipa Files via iTunes
  1. Prepare the .ipa file of the app you want to install.
  2. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer via a USB cable.
  3. Launch iTunes or Finder on your computer and locate your device icon on the home screen.
  4. Drag and drop the .ipa file onto the device icon in iTunes or Finder. This will initiate the installation procedure.

Remove Apple ID

If you forgot the Apple ID password or failed to initiate the installation process with your print or Face ID, you could remove the existing Apple ID and use another one.

To remove Apple ID without a password, you can give BuhoUnlocker a try. This professional iOS password unlocker will help you get rid of various iOS locks, including Apple ID password, screen lock, screen time passcode, and MDM profile.

Download and install the tool, then follow the steps below to remove Apple ID from your iPhone.

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Step 1. Connect your device to the computer and launch BuhoUnlocker. Choose the Remove Apple ID option.

BuhoUnlocker Remove Apple ID

Step 2. Read the instructions and tap on the Remove Now button to initiate the process.

Start Removing Apple ID from iPhone

Step 3. Wait for a few minutes, and you will see the interface below. Then you can enter another Apple ID to download apps.

Remove Apple ID Successful

Use a Developer Account

If you can access a developer account, you can create and install apps on your iOS device without an Apple ID.

This method offers more flexibility and control over app installation, but it also requires technical knowledge and skills.

To achieve this, navigate to the Apple Developer Program, set up your development environment, and deal with coding and debugging. This can be a valuable experience for users interested in software development, especially when testing and deploying custom applications tailored to specific needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is not difficult to download apps on your iPhone without an Apple ID. Whether you choose to sign out of your Apple ID, utilize the Family Sharing feature, or download apps directly through your computer, you can make it on your own. Nevertheless, you should also be aware of the potential risks associated with these methods, such as security vulnerabilities and limited access to app updates and features.

Living in Chengdu, Kelly is an Apple technician focused on Mac, iPhone, and iOS repairs. Meanwhile, he's also a columnist at Dr.Buho, with a simple mission to help fix Apple things that are with software or hardware glitches.