How to install Enterprise apps in iOS 9

Apple provides Enterprise Distribution as a way for companies to create and share internal apps without having to go through the App Store. Unfortunately, bad actors have been using the associated process as a way to try and trick people into installing malicious apps. With iOS 9 that's now a lot harder to do.

Previously, all that was required to install an Enterprise app was to tap the Trust button on the popup (see above). That's it. Tt was convenient, but too convenient. Now there is no Trust button on the popup. There are no buttons at all. Or instructions of any kind. So, unless you know what to do, you can't install an enterprise app either accidentally or obliviously.

How to trust Enterprise apps on iPhone or iPad

If you really need to install a legitimate app—if you work in IT or need to test a beta for your company—and you're absolutely sure it's a legitimate app, here's what you need to do:

  1. Launch Settings from your Home Screen.
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Tap on Profiles.
  4. Tap the name of the distributor under the Enterprise App section.
  5. Tap to trust.
  6. Tap to confirm.

Only then, when it's made super-double-extra sure you really want to trust an app, will iOS set it as trusted. And only then can you launch it.

No security system that includes humans in ever truly safe but by making it require concerted effort to trust apps in iOS 9, Apple is making it harder for malware and other bad apps to run.

And that's absolutely worth a little inconvenience.

Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.