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Advanced Installation FAQ

Advanced installation FAQ for sideloading, building from source, and developer workflows

This FAQ is for advanced users who are sideloading or building Provenance from source. Most users should install from the App Store - see the main FAQ instead.

Sideloading

What if I don't have a Mac?

Sideloading (cross-platform):

Building from source (requires macOS):

  • ❌ Windows/Linux cannot build iOS apps

  • ✅ Use a Hackintosh or macOS virtual machine (Virtualizing macOS)

  • ✅ Or sideload the pre-built release instead

Can I install without a computer?

Officially: No safe method exists.

❌ DO NOT use 3rd-party signing services - they:

  • Install malware, adware, or tracking profiles

  • Get revoked by Apple (you lose your games/saves)

  • Violate Apple's terms (can brick your device)

  • Steal your Apple ID credentials

Legitimate options:

  1. ✅ App Store - Install directly on device (no computer needed)

  2. ✅ Borrow a friend's computer - Sideload once, re-sign every 7 days

  3. ✅ Use a paid Apple Developer account - Provisioning lasts 1 year

Why does Provenance not install?

Common issues:

  1. Certificate error / "Untrusted Developer"

    • Settings → General → VPN & Device Management

    • Trust the developer profile

  2. "App is already installed"

    • Delete existing Provenance first

    • Or use a different bundle ID when building

  3. "Provisioning profile expired"

    • Free Apple Developer accounts expire every 7 days

    • Re-sign with AltStore/Sideloadly

    • Or upgrade to paid account ($99/year)

  4. AltStore/Sideloadly errors

    • Make sure the Apple Devices app (formerly iTunes) and iCloud are installed (Windows)

    • Update AltServer to latest version

    • Check firewall isn't blocking connection

Full guide: Sideloading

How do I re-sign every 7 days?

Free Apple Developer accounts expire provisioning profiles every 7 days.

Options:

  1. AltStore (easiest)

    • Install AltServer on your Mac/PC

    • Keep it running - auto-refreshes every 6 days

    • No manual work needed!

  2. Manual re-signing

    • Use Sideloadly, iOS App Signer, or Xcode

    • Re-install .ipa every 6-7 days

    • Data/saves are preserved

  3. Upgrade to paid account

    • $99/year Apple Developer Program

    • Provisioning lasts 1 year (re-sign annually)

What is a provisioning profile?

A provisioning profile is a file that allows an app to run on a specific device. It contains:

  • Your Apple Developer certificate

  • App bundle ID

  • List of authorized devices (UDIDs)

  • Expiration date

Free accounts:

  • Max 3 apps simultaneously

  • 7-day expiration

  • Max 10 devices per year

Paid accounts:

  • Unlimited apps

  • 1-year expiration

  • Unlimited devices

Where to find: Xcode → Preferences → Accounts → [Your Apple ID] → Manage Certificates

Building from Source

Is there a Cydia repo?

No. Provenance is not distributed via Cydia.

If you're jailbroken, you can still install Provenance via:

  • App Store (recommended)

  • Sideloading (works on jailbroken devices)

  • Building from source

Will you release an .ipa of the beta?

Beta builds are available on GitHub:

Note: Beta builds may be unstable. Use at your own risk.

App Store users: Subscribe to Provenance Plus for TestFlight beta access (official, stable betas).

When is the next release?

Check development status:

We don't commit to release dates - small team, releases when ready.

App Store users: Updates are automatic - no need to track releases!

Why is my build slower than the App Store version?

You probably built the DEBUG version.

How to tell:

  • App name: Prov Debug (not "Provenance")

  • Settings → Version shows DEBUG

Fix:

  1. Open project in Xcode

  2. Select scheme: Provenance-Release (iOS) or ProvenanceTV-Release (tvOS)

  3. Build and run

  4. ✅ Release version is 5-10x faster!

Why debug is slow:

  • Extra logging and validation

  • No compiler optimizations

  • Memory leak detection overhead

  • Designed for development, not gameplay

Developer Workflows

How do I use Provenance Plus features when sideloading?

Requirement: Use a unique bundle ID when building.

Steps:

  1. Open project in Xcode

  2. Select Provenance target

  3. Signing & Capabilities tab

  4. Change Bundle Identifier to something unique:

    • Default: com.provenance-emu.provenance

    • Yours: com.yourname.provenance (or anything unique)

  5. Build and install

  6. Subscribe to Provenance Plus in-app

  7. ✅ Plus features (iCloud sync, etc.) now work

Why? App Store version uses the default bundle ID. Sideloaded apps with the same ID can't verify subscriptions.

Can I run beta and stable side-by-side?

Yes! Use different bundle IDs for each.

Setup:

  1. Stable: Keep default bundle ID

  2. Beta: Change to com.yourname.provenance-beta

  3. Build and install both

Result: Two separate apps, independent data.

Note: Only enable iCloud sync on ONE version to avoid conflicts.

Where did you install the app from?

Why we ask:

3rd-party signing services are dangerous:

  • ❌ Inject malware, adware, tracking

  • ❌ Steal Apple ID credentials

  • ❌ Get revoked by Apple (lose all data)

  • ❌ Violate Apple ToS

Official sources only:

  • ✅ App Store (safest)

  • ✅ GitHub Releases (sideload yourself)

  • ✅ Build from source (Xcode)

If you used a 3rd-party service:

  1. Delete the app immediately

  2. Remove any profiles (Settings → General → VPN & Device Management)

  3. Change your Apple ID password

  4. Re-install from official source

We cannot support 3rd-party builds - they cause:

  • Broken features

  • Crashes

  • Security vulnerabilities

  • Data loss when profiles are revoked

Troubleshooting Advanced Installation

App crashes at launch after 7 days

Cause: Free Apple Developer provisioning expired.

Solutions:

  1. ✅ Re-sign with AltStore - Automatic refresh every 6 days

  2. ✅ Re-sign with Sideloadly - Manual re-install every 6-7 days

  3. ✅ Upgrade to paid account - Lasts 1 year

Data safe? Yes! Saves/ROMs are preserved when re-signing.

App crashes immediately after install (Sideloadly / LiveContainer / ATVLoadly)

Crashes within 1–2 seconds of launch — before any UI appears — almost always means an entitlement problem introduced during re-signing. The tool stripped or failed to re-inject a capability Provenance needs (Metal GPU, game controller access, JIT, background audio, etc.) and iOS/tvOS silently kills the app.

Quick steps:

  1. Get the crash log — it tells you exactly what failed (how to read crash logs)

  2. In the log, look for Termination Reason — a code like CODESIGNING 0x1 confirms an entitlement issue

  3. Try AltStore instead — it handles Provenance's entitlements more reliably than most tools

  4. If using LiveContainer: this is not supported — LiveContainer restricts Metal GPU access and JIT, which Provenance requires. Install normally via AltStore.

  5. If using ATVLoadly on Raspberry Pi: update to the latest version and check the ATVLoadly GitHub issues for Provenance-specific notes

Full troubleshooting guide: Sideloading — Crash on Launch

"Unable to install Provenance"

Fixes:

  1. Check storage space — Provenance is 2.5 GB, need ~5 GB free for installation

  2. Delete existing version — Remove old Provenance first, or use different bundle ID

  3. Update Xcode / signing tools — Xcode → Check for Updates; Update AltStore/Sideloadly

  4. Verify Apple ID — Xcode → Preferences → Accounts → Remove and re-add Apple ID

Xcode says "Signing certificate expired"

Cause: Your Apple Developer certificate expired.

Fix (free account):

  1. Xcode → Preferences → Accounts

  2. Select your Apple ID

  3. Click Manage Certificates

  4. Delete old certificate

  5. Click + → iOS Development

  6. ✅ New certificate created

Fix (paid account):

  1. Go to developer.apple.com

  2. Certificates → Revoke old one

  3. Create new certificate

  4. Download and install in Xcode

Can't find my UDID

UDID = Unique Device Identifier (only needed for sideloading/development)

How to find:

  1. Connect device to Mac

  2. Open Finder → Select device

  3. Click serial number → Changes to UDID

  4. Right-click → Copy

Or use online tools:

Full guide: UDID Registration

Beta Testing

How do I become a beta tester?

Option 1: Provenance Plus (recommended)

  • Subscribe to Provenance Plus

  • Get TestFlight beta access

  • Official, stable betas

  • Priority support

Option 2: Build from source

  • Clone develop branch from GitHub

  • Build in Xcode

  • Very latest code (may be unstable)

  • Report bugs on GitHub Issues

Beta tester requirements:

  1. ✅ Read Issues Usage

  2. ✅ Only report against latest build

  3. ✅ Check existing issues before reporting

  4. ✅ Follow #git-updates on Discord

Note: Using beta ≠ beta testing. Active participation required!

Still Need Help?

💬 Join our Discord - #advanced-help channel

🐛 Found a bug? Report on GitHub Issues

📖 General questions? See main FAQ

For most users, we recommend installing from the App Store instead of sideloading or building from source.

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