I‘m sure you‘ve been wondering: does it cost anything to use Cydia, the legendary third-party app store for jailbroken iPhones and iPads? Well, I have good news for you! Cydia itself is 100% free to download and use. However, it does offer both free and paid tweaks and apps to choose from.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explore what Cydia is, how it works, its history, and most importantly – address whether it’s free or paid. I’ll also provide some recommended alternatives if you want iOS customization without jailbreaking. Let’s get started!
What Exactly is Cydia and Why Does It Exist?
For those unfamiliar, Cydia is an alternative app store available only on iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches that have been jailbroken.
Jailbreaking removes the software restrictions imposed by Apple, allowing users to deeply customize their iOS devices and install unapproved apps beyond what the App Store permits.
Cydia provides access to these forbidden tweaks, apps, settings, and themes that can dramatically expand the functionality and appearance of iDevices. Without jailbreaking, none of this advanced modification would be possible.
Cydia was created in 2008 by Jay Freeman (known online as Saurik) to serve as the official app store for jailbroken Apple gadgets. Over 10 years later, his company SaurikIT still maintains Cydia.
It gets installed automatically on jailbroken devices using popular tools like unc0ver and checkra1n. In essence, Cydia exists to give jailbreakers access to deeper system-level customizations that Apple prohibits.
Cydia Provides Thousands of Apps, Tweaks, and Themes
So what kinds of unofficial apps and tweaks are available through the Cydia store? Here are just some examples of what you can find:
- Custom themes – Change default iOS icons, fonts, and interface elements
- Hidden settings – Enable hidden features like multitasking gestures
- File managers – Browse and edit files that Apple blocks access to
- Emulators – Play classic console and arcade games
- App modders – Modify or crack official App Store apps
- System tools – Advanced controls like overclocking and network monitoring
- Performance mods – Improve speed and battery life
Essentially, Cydia grants you freedom over your iPhone or iPad that Apple expressly does not allow. Everything from minor interface tweaks to major functionality changes become possible.
While Apple‘s App Store offers around 2 million apps, Cydia provides over 3 million apps, tweaks, mods, and tools as of 2022. However, its library is not nearly as polished or strictly curated as Apple’s.
Cydia Has No Upfront Cost – It‘s Free to Use
Now onto the big question: is Cydia free to use?
The short answer is yes, Cydia is completely free. There is no charge to download, install, open or access the Cydia app store on your jailbroken iPhone or iPad.
You also won‘t encounter any ads, subscription fees, or hidden costs when browsing and searching within Cydia. The platform itself is 100% free, just like Apple‘s official App Store.
The only potential cost comes from optionally purchasing paid Cydia apps, tweaks or themes. But there are thousands of free packages available too.
So you can download Cydia itself indefinitely without ever spending a dime. The app store is gratis for jailbreakers to enjoy.
In-App Purchases are Currently Disabled
Now here’s an important caveat: in-app purchases on Cydia are temporarily disabled.
This is because Saurik had a dispute with third-party Cydia repositories (which host purchases). As a result, the backend payments system was shut down.
So while Cydia offers paid apps and tweaks ranging from $0.99 up to $20 or more, you cannot directly buy them right now. Purchasing capability was suspended in 2018 until further notice.
Many paid packages can still be acquired through external payment and installation workarounds. But straightforward in-app buying through Cydia itself remains offline for the time being.
Luckily, the vast majority of Cydia’s value lies in its huge catalog of free tweaks, apps, and mods. Paid purchases are absolutely not required to enjoy the jailbreak scene!
Cydia Faces Competition From Free Alternatives
With in-app payments frozen, you may be better off exploring some of Cydia’s free competitors:
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TweakBox – Install tweaked and hacked apps/games on both jailbroken and non-jailbroken devices. Also offers emulator apps and ++ mods.
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AppValley – Free store for downloading paid, modified, and region-locked iOS apps without jailbreak. Apps frequently refreshed.
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iNoJB – App library designed for non-jailbroken iPhones and iPads. No need to jailbreak, similar to Cydia.
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Sileo – A new full-featured jailbreak app store and Cydia alternative with a beautiful UI.
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Emus4u – iOS app store focused solely on game emulators for consoles like Game Boy, SNES, N64, and more.
These third-party platforms all provide ways to customize your iPhone/iPad through app modding, emulation, and sideloading. Most offer free usage with optional in-app purchases.
Cydia vs. App Store – How They Compare
| Feature | Cydia | App Store |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Saurik/SaurikIT | Apple |
| Year Launched | 2008 | 2008 |
| Total Apps | Over 3 million | Around 2 million |
| App Vetting | Minimal | Extensive |
| Jailbreak Required? | Yes | No |
| Downloads | ~30 million | Billions |
| Revenue | Unknown | Billions |
| Purchases Allowed? | Currently disabled | Yes |
As you can see, Cydia and Apple’s App Store take very different approaches. But they’ve remarkably coexisted for over a decade now!
Understanding the Risks of Jailbreaking
While Cydia itself is harmless, there are risks that come with jailbreaking your iPhone or iPad to use it:
- Apple states that jailbreaking voids your device‘s warranty.
- Malware threats are increased when sideloading untrusted apps.
- Certain default functions like Apple Pay may no longer work correctly.
- Restoring or updating your iOS will remove the jailbreak and Cydia.
That said, jailbreaking is generally safe when done carefully using reputable tools like unc0ver and avoiding unknown packages. Just be cautious!
Expert Tips for Using Cydia Securely
As an experienced jailbreaker myself, here are my top safety tips when using Cydia:
- Only jailbreak using well-known, trusted tools like unc0ver – avoid obscure methods.
- Perform regular device backups in case anything goes wrong.
- Carefully vet apps before installing and check developer reputation.
- Avoid installing too many unessential tweaks as they can slow down your device.
- Monitor battery usage and heat to ensure all tweaks play nicely together.
The key is moderation. Stick to more popular apps/tweaks and you’ll have an awesome customized device!
The Bottom Line – An Amazing Asset for Jailbreakers
Cydia grants jailbroken iPhone/iPad users an incredible level of customization through tweaks, apps, tools and mods unavailable on Apple‘s App Store.
The platform itself remains 100% free to use, even if in-app purchases are temporarily suspended. And the massive catalog of free Cydia packages can satisfy just about any jailbreaker.
While Apple does not endorse jailbreaking, I believe every knowledgeable iOS user should try it at least once to experience the expanded freedom Cydia provides. Just be smart and cautious with it.
But whether you jailbreak or not, I hope this guide gave you a comprehensive overview explaining exactly what Cydia is, how it works compared to the App Store, and the details around its pricing! Let me know if you have any other questions.
