Scarlet iOS 26: How to Install Scarlet on iOS 26 (Compatibility Guide)

Updated to iOS 26 and wondering whether Scarlet still works? The short answer is yes. Scarlet installs and runs on iOS 26 the same way it did on earlier versions, because the sideloading mechanism it relies on — installing an app with an enterprise certificate and trusting that certificate on your device — has not changed. What does trip people up after a major iOS update is the trust and verification flow, so this guide covers iOS 26 compatibility first, then the exact install steps, then the fixes for the errors iOS 26 users hit most often.

Does Scarlet Work on iOS 26?

Yes. Scarlet works on iOS 26 on both iPhone and iPad. There is no separate “iOS 26 edition” of the app — you install the current version of Scarlet from the official website, trust its certificate in Settings, and use it exactly as before. If Scarlet stopped opening right after you updated to iOS 26, the cause is almost never iOS 26 itself. In nearly every case the certificate behind your install was revoked or expired around the same time, which is a coincidence of timing, not a compatibility failure. You can check how certificate problems present themselves on our Scarlet certificate status hub.

iOS 26 Compatibility at a Glance

• Supported devices: Any iPhone or iPad that can run iOS 26 can run Scarlet.
• Jailbreak required: No.
• Computer required: No — the direct install method works entirely on-device. A computer method also exists if you prefer it.
• Apple ID required: No sign-in is needed for the standard install.
• What actually decides whether Scarlet works: the status of the signing certificate, not your iOS version. A valid certificate works on iOS 26; a revoked one fails on every iOS version.

What Changed in iOS 26 That Affects Sideloading

Three things are worth knowing before you install:

1. Certificate trust still lives in VPN & Device Management

After installing, you must explicitly trust the developer profile under Settings → General → VPN & Device Management. Until you do, iOS 26 will refuse to open the app. This step has not moved, but skipping it is still the number one reason a fresh install “doesn’t work.” Apple’s own documentation on trusting manually installed enterprise apps is on Apple Support.

2. Verification needs an internet connection

When you open a certificate-signed app, iOS checks the certificate’s status with Apple online. On iOS 26 this check is strict: if your device is offline, on a filtered network, or the certificate has been revoked, verification fails and the app will not open. Install and first-open Scarlet while connected to normal, unrestricted Wi-Fi or mobile data.

3. Updating iOS does not delete sideloaded apps

Your existing Scarlet and the apps you installed with it survive the move to iOS 26. If an app stops opening after the update, treat it as a certificate issue and follow the fix order in our Scarlet not working guide rather than reinstalling everything blindly.

What You Need Before Installing

• An iPhone or iPad running iOS 26 (or any recent iOS version)
• Safari — use Safari for the download, as other browsers can mishandle the install prompt
• A stable internet connection
• A few hundred MB of free storage
• About five minutes

How to Install Scarlet on iOS 26 (Step by Step)

1. Remove any broken copy first. If an old Scarlet icon sits on your home screen and no longer opens, delete it. Installing over a revoked copy causes conflicts.
2. Open the official site in Safari. Go to usescarlet.com — download Scarlet only from the official source, not from random mirror sites.
3. Start the direct install. Tap the install/download option and confirm when iOS asks whether you want to install the app.
4. Wait for the icon to finish loading on your home screen before opening it.
5. Trust the certificate. Go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management, tap the developer profile shown there, and tap Trust.
6. Open Scarlet. It should now launch normally. From here you can browse its library, add repositories, or import your own IPA files and certificates.

That is the whole process. If you want the method that gives you the most control — signing with a certificate you import yourself — follow our custom certificate install guide after completing the steps above.

iOS 26 Troubleshooting: The Errors Users Hit Most

“Unable to Verify App”

iOS could not confirm the certificate online. Check your connection, turn off any VPN or DNS filter temporarily, and try again. If it persists, the certificate is likely revoked. Full fix sequence: fix “Scarlet is unable to verify apps”.

Scarlet closes instantly when opened

This is the classic symptom of a revoked certificate. There is no setting that fixes it — the app must be reinstalled under a working certificate, or you switch to one of the working Scarlet alternatives until a new certificate is available.

The install button does nothing

Make sure you are in Safari (not an in-app browser), clear the website’s data, and restart the device once. Also confirm you have free storage — iOS silently refuses installs when storage is nearly full.

Keeping Scarlet Working on iOS 26

• Keep the app updated. New Scarlet builds are released to match signing changes — see how to update Scarlet.
• Do not stack certificates. Trusting several conflicting profiles causes verification loops; remove profiles you no longer use from VPN & Device Management.
• Bookmark the status hub. When Scarlet suddenly stops working, check the certificate status and fixes hub before deleting anything.
• Consider your own certificate. Shared public certificates get revoked for everyone at once. Signing with your own certificate is the most stable setup Scarlet offers.

FAQ

Does Scarlet work on iOS 26?

Yes. Scarlet installs and runs on iOS 26 using the same certificate-based method as previous versions. If it fails, the certificate — not iOS 26 — is almost always the cause.

Do I need a computer to install Scarlet on iOS 26?

No. The direct install method works entirely on your iPhone or iPad using Safari.

Will updating to iOS 26 delete Scarlet or my sideloaded apps?

No. iOS updates keep your apps in place. Apps only stop opening if their signing certificate is revoked or expires, which can happen on any iOS version.

Is Scarlet safe to use on iOS 26?

Scarlet itself is a well-known sideloading tool, but safety depends on downloading it from the official website and only installing IPAs from sources you trust. We cover the risks in detail in is the Scarlet app safe to use?