FAQ

Does SideLink require AltServer?

No. SideLink is local-first and self-hosted.

Is this only for macOS?

Server and signing are cross-platform, but full real device install support is currently macOS-first.

Do you store Apple credentials remotely?

No remote relay is used. Secrets are stored locally and encrypted at rest.

Free Apple ID or paid?

Both work. Free accounts have stricter app slot and expiry limits.

How do updates work?

Desktop uses GitHub release artifacts and in-app updater checks.

Can I install apps from the official SideLink source?

Yes. Add the official feed URL from official-source, then refresh your sources. The current public catalog includes the SideLink helper and Cortex.

Can I use helper without desktop?

Helper pairs to a running SideLink server. Desktop is recommended for easiest setup.

Why is the desktop release flow stricter now?

Because a successful build is not enough. Starting with the v0.2.x release hardening and carried forward through v0.8.0, SideLink validates packaged startup, bundled Apple runtime health, helper build integrity, and packaged helper behavior before publish so a clean CI build is not mistaken for a usable desktop release.

Where do the docs publish?

When GitHub Pages is enabled for GitHub Actions, the docs site publishes to https://gabrielvuksani.github.io/sidelink/.

Where does the official source manifest publish?

The canonical source manifest is the raw GitHub file:

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/gabrielvuksani/sidelink/main/docs/source/source.json