Introduction
If you use AltStore to sideload apps on your iPhone, you already know about the 7-day signing limit. If you don’t refresh your apps before the signing period expires, they can stop opening and you’ll need to refresh them again through AltStore.
Normally, you can open AltStore and tap Refresh All to reset the signing period. But with Remote AltServer, you can automate this process using the Shortcuts app.
The important part is that Remote AltServer needs LocalDevVPN and a Wi-Fi connection to work without a computer. Once everything is configured, your iPhone can trigger the refresh process automatically.
What You Need
Before setting up the automation, make sure you have:
- AltStore 2.3 (Download)
- LocalDevVPN (Download)
- A working Wi-Fi connection
- The Remote AltServer shortcut
- Apple’s Shortcuts app
Already Using AltStore?
If you haven’t set up AltStore yet, watch my setup guide first:
Set Up Remote AltServer
The shortcut used in this setup is called “Remote AltServer.” It handles the refresh process instead of requiring you to manually open AltStore every time.
Download the Shortcut which will be in .shortcut format and then locate the downloaded shortcut and tap on it to Import the same in the Shortcut App(Install Shortcut App beforehand from Appstore)
Select LocalDevVPN
Open the shortcut’s settings and make sure LocalDevVPN is selected.
Under the Refresh All Apps action, turn off Show When Run. This allows the refresh process to run without constantly displaying the action.
Adjust the Waiting Time
The shortcut uses a default wait time of around 30 seconds to give AltStore enough time to complete the refresh.
If the refresh doesn’t finish reliably, increase the waiting time and test the shortcut again.
Run It Manually First
Before creating the automation, run remote alt server manually.
The first run may ask for permissions. Allow the requested permissions and make sure the shortcut successfully refreshes your apps.
Once it works manually, you can automate it.
Why LocalDevVPN and Wi-Fi Are Required
Remote AltServer isn’t a completely offline solution.
LocalDevVPN Is Required
LocalDevVPN allows the Remote AltServer shortcut to communicate with the required AltServer service directly from the iPhone.
Without LocalDevVPN, the computer-free Remote AltServer setup won’t work as intended.
Your iPhone Must Be on Wi-Fi
The iPhone also needs to be connected to Wi-Fi when the shortcut runs.
The shortcut can check the Wi-Fi connection, enable LocalDevVPN, perform the refresh, wait for the process to finish, and then disable the VPN.
So the basic requirement is:
iPhone + Wi-Fi + LocalDevVPN + Remote AltServer
Automate the Refresh
Once the shortcut works correctly, you can make it run automatically whenever you connect your iPhone to a charger.
Create a Charger Automation
Open Shortcuts → Automation and create a new personal automation triggered by Charger.
Choose the option for when the iPhone is connected to power, then select the remote alt server shortcut.
Set the automation to Run Immediately and turn off Notify When Run if you don’t want a notification every time it runs.
Let the iPhone Refresh Automatically
From now on, when you connect your iPhone to a charger while it is connected to Wi-Fi, the automation can run the Remote AltServer shortcut.
The shortcut enables LocalDevVPN, refreshes AltStore and your sideloaded apps, waits for the refresh to finish, and then disables the VPN.
Your Apps Get Another 7 Days
After a successful refresh, the signing period is reset to 7 days.
This means you don’t have to remember to open AltStore every few days and manually tap Refresh All. Simply charging your iPhone while connected to Wi-Fi can trigger the refresh automatically.
What This Does Not Change
This automation doesn’t remove AltStore’s underlying signing limitations. It simply automates the refresh process.
Your results can also depend on your AltStore version, LocalDevVPN configuration, Wi-Fi connection, and the waiting time used by the shortcut.
If the default 30-second delay isn’t enough, increase it and test the automation again.
Final Thoughts
Remote AltServer makes AltStore maintenance much easier by moving the refresh process into an iPhone Shortcut.
The key requirements are LocalDevVPN and Wi-Fi. Once those are configured and the shortcut has been tested successfully, a Charger automation can take care of refreshing your sideloaded apps automatically in the background.
