The tools under discussion enable the sideloading of applications onto Apple’s mobile operating system. These utilities process .ipa files, which are archive files containing iOS apps. These files are similar to .zip files and include the application’s binary, resources, and metadata. As an example, a developer might use this type of software to install a beta version of their app on a test device without going through the official App Store.
The significance lies in bypassing Apple’s App Store review process. This allows for the distribution of apps that may not meet Apple’s guidelines, or for internal testing within organizations. Historically, this capability has been used by developers for testing, by enterprises for distributing internal apps, and by users interested in apps not available on the official store. This functionality provides flexibility but introduces security considerations, as applications installed this way are not subject to Apple’s security checks.