In contrast to Android, iOS is famously known for its limited customization options. It wasn’t until iOS 14 that widgets finally arrived on Apple devices, a full 12 years after their debut on Android.
To truly unlock the full potential of their Apple devices, power users often resort to jailbreaking their iOS devices, granting them access to apps and features that are otherwise unavailable on the official App Store.
Cydia is one of the most popular Debian APT package managers that lets users install apps on their jailbroken iOS devices like iPhones and iPad.
This package comes pre-installed on jailbroken iOS devices and is completely free to use. It allows users to download themes, customizations, and other apps to bring out new opportunities without being limited by stock Apple’s constraints.
Here, we talk about the best Cydia apps for iOS that will allow you to make the most of your Apple devices. Go through the list to find apps that will take your iPhone experience to the next level.
Note of caution: Jailbreaking your iPhone and iPad bypasses the internal protections and will therefore void the warranty. You might also lose data, so make sure to back up any important documents before you jailbreak your device.
Top Cydia apps for iOS in 2024
Once you have jailbroken your iPhone, there are endless tweaks available for installation. Not all of these apps are worth installing, so we have curated a list of some of the best apps that will be most beneficial to you.
Note that installing some apps and tweaks might hamper battery life and performance. This is because you are bypassing the standards set by Apple on how iOS functions. Make sure that you check this list to learn more about apps and how they function.
1. Activator
Supercharge your iPhone
Activator is one of the most basic yet one of the most popular Cydia apps for iPhone. This app lets you create triggers on an “if this, then that” model.
Arguably the most popular use case of Activator is adding interactions to the home button. That said, you can add gestures throughout your phone from the menu. In the Activator menu, you can add triggers to launch an app, control system settings, update notifications, mute and unmute devices, etc.
Activator is available for free on Cydia.
2. SBSettings
System toggles
Another productivity application that sits beside Activator is SBSettings. This Cydia tweak allows you to customize the quick drop-down toggle, enabling you to perform a myriad of actions, like toggling WiFi, Brightness, Bluetooth, Airplane mode, etc.
You can view the SBSettings toggle menu in the notification center or customize it by adding themes to make your phone an extension of yourself. Moreover, you can also add extra settings icons from Cydia for more specific actions.
SBSettings is available for free on Cydia.
3. Zephyr
Home button functions
If you find the double and triple tapping the home button limiting, look no further than Zephyr. This Cydia app replaces the home button interactions with a comprehensive set of intuitive gestures.
For instance, access the multitasking switcher by short-swiping from the bottom, close the current app by long swiping, and access the latest apps by swiping from the left side of the screen.
Zephyr is available for free on Cydia.
4. Auxo
Multitask like a pro
Many iOS jailbreak developers have tried to reinvent the wheel with iOS multitasking, but to little avail. Auxo stands out in this regard, and a variant of this feature has already been introduced to iPad and MacOS as Stage Manager.
Auxo brings multi-tasking cards to iOS, which shows a live preview of the open apps at the bottom of the screen. It also brings several quality-of-life features, including expanded music controls, swipe to dismiss, settings toggles, etc.
Auxo is available for free on Cydia.
5. BiteSMS / Messages+
Supercharged messaging service
While the stock iMessage is already an excellent service on its own, services like BiteSMS and Messages+ bring the Whatsapp popup reply feature to the service. These Cydia tweaks allow you to quickly reply to an incoming message from anywhere in the iOS using a popup feature.
BiteSMS also allows you to add themes and offers extensive customization to take your messaging service to the next level. We found that Messages+ is more streamlined and integrates better with the stock iMessage app, but BiteSMS has been around for longer and offers more customization.
BiteSMS and Messages+ are available for free on Cydia.
6. WeatherIcon
Real-time weather updates on-the-go
Like the dynamic clock and calendar icons on your iPhone? The WeatherIcon tweak on Cydia brings this functionality to your jailbroken iOS, displaying real-time weather right on the icon.
The icon’s appearance changes depending on the weather. For instance, the weather icon will turn dark indigo to display night or rainy. Moreover, you can also have the weather and temperature displayed on the status bar.
WeatherIcon is available for free on Cydia.
7. 3DBoard / DeepEnd
3D effect on older iPhones
With iOS 7, Apple all but ditched the skeuomorphic design to embrace a flat look. But the powerful sensory hardware means that the iPhones are still capable of rendering 3D effects on the user interface.
Both 3DBoard and DeepEnd use internal accelerometer hardware and some smart wallpaper movement to produce high-quality 3D effects on your app icons. DeepEnd does not install a physical app but is rather accessible from the Settings icon.
DeepEnd is free, while 3DBoard is $2.99 on Cydia.
8. Winterboard / Dreamboard
iOS theming made easy
Unlike Android, iOS does not allow extensive customization. Even the latest iOS 16 does not enable theming using third-party launchers. Cydia apps like Winterboard and Dreamboard are perfect for users looking to radically alter the look and feel of their iPhones, iPads, and iPods.
Apps like Winterboard and Dreamboard are only the launchpad to iOS customization. Cydia is full of apps and tweaks that let you customize your Apple mobile. Dreamboard is one of the newer rivals to Winterboard and can apply themes without you needing to re-spring the device.
Winterboard and Dreamboard are available for free on Cydia.
9. Stride / AndroidLock
Customizable lock screens
Tired of the traditional “Slide to unlock” lock screen on your iOS devices? Lockscreen apps like Stride and AndroidLock XT allow you to create unique lock screens for your iPhones with customizable gestures.
You can create patterns, tap to unlock, gesture control, etc., or remove the lock screen altogether if you wish. Pattern unlocks, as in Android skins, are more secure than the traditional “Slide to unlock,” adding security benefits over the customizability of this Cydia tweak as well.
Stride costs $2.99, and AndroidLock XT costs $1.49 on Cydia.
10. IntelliScreenX / LockInfo
Until the latest iOS 16, the Notification Center on iPhones has been a hit or miss for the most part. If you frequent the Notification Center, apps like IntelliScreenX and LockInfo allow you to customize the pages to improve your experience.
You can set up specific pages for apps like Facebook, News, Mail, and Twitter, enabling you to catch up on the most critical updates in a breeze. LockInfo is more customizable out of the two, allowing you to change almost everything. IntelliScreenX is more streamlined and includes Messages+ as well.
IntelliScreenX 7 is available on Cydia for $9.99, while LockInfo costs $4.99..
11. DoubleCut
Text Shortcuts Alternative
Typing on a smartphone can be a tedious process, especially when you need to input repetitive phrases, email addresses, or other text strings.
With DoubleCut, double-tap the assigned key, and the saved text string is automatically inserted into the text field. This is faster than iOS’s inbuilt text shortcuts and it works on devices without jailbreak as well.
For example, if you frequently type your email address, you can assign it to the “@” key. With this assignment, every time you double-tap the “@” key, your email address will be inserted into the text field automatically.
FAQs on Cydia Apps
Can you get Cydia on iPhone?
Yes, you can get Cydia on an iPhone, but it requires jailbreaking the device first. Jailbreaking is a process that removes the restrictions imposed by Apple, allowing you to install unauthorized apps and tweaks, such as Cydia.
You must know that jailbreaking your iPhone has risks and potential downsides. They include warranty void, getting exposed to security vulnerabilities, lack of new iOS updates, etc.
How to install Cydia apps on iOS devices?
Cydia apps require jailbroken devices, so let us begin there. Each iOS version has a different Jailbreak tool, so you will need to find it on a forum like r/Jailbreak and proceed from there. Here are steps in brief on how to proceed.
- Jailbreak your device: First, ensure your device is jailbroken. Jailbreaking lets you to bypass Apple’s restrictions and install unauthorized apps, including Cydia. The process for jailbreaking depends on your device model and iOS version, so use a reliable guide that is compatible with your specific device.
- Install Cydia: Once your device is jailbroken, Cydia should automatically be installed. If that is not happening, then follow the instructions provided by the jailbreaking tool to install Cydia.
- Launch Cydia: Locate the Cydia app on your device’s home screen and tap the icon to open it.
- Browse for apps and tweaks: Tap the “Search” tab at the bottom right corner of the screen and enter the name of the app or tweak you want to install. Alternatively, you can browse the available apps and tweak by category using the “Sections” tab.
What is better than Cydia?
There are several alternatives to Cydia available for jailbroken iOS devices right now. That said, Cydia comes preinstalled when you jailbreak your Apple devices, and most of the good tweaks are available for free. Check the best Cydia tweaks from the list above.
What are the best Cydia tweaks?
Top iOS-specific Cydia tweaks include Activator, SBSettings, Zephyr, and Auxo. Find the complete list of the best Cydia tweaks from the list above.
Is Cydia good for iPhones?
Cydia is a third-party platform that features on jailbroken iPhones, iPads, and iPods. It allows users to install tweaks and apps that are unavailable on regular Apple devices. Whether Cydia is good for iPhone or not depends on how comfortable you are with jailbreaking. Bypassing Apple’s restrictions will void the warranty and can pose security risks, but it also unlocks a myriad of features.
Getting Started with Cydia Apps
After going through this list, you now know the best Cydia apps for iOS in 2024 based on user feedback. You will find new themes and apps that are usually not available on the App Store. If you have some recommendations for the best Cydia apps for iPhone, leave them in the comments below.
Have fun with your new apps!
