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Apply with AirCard-iOS on iPhone

On iOS 27 and later you can change card art right on the iPhone. The first time requires sideloading and pairing.

  • About 15 min
  • 8 steps
  • For AirCard-iOS v1.3
  • Updated September 23, 2026

Before you start

iPhone
iOS 27.0 or laterMinimum
Install via
A sideloading tool: SideStore, AltStore, TrollStore, LiveContainer or Xcode
Helper app
LocalDevVPN (loopback mode)

ImportantNot available below iOS 27. On iOS 18–26, use AirCard for Mac instead.

To check: on iPhone, open Settings › General › About. On a Mac, choose Apple menu › About This Mac.

Steps

  1. Step 1: Check your iOS version

    Go to Settings › General › About and make sure you’re on iOS 27.0 or later. Below iOS 27, use AirCard for Mac instead.

    ImportantAirCard-iOS currently supports iOS 27 and later only.

  2. Step 2: Download the IPA

    Download AirCard-iOS.ipa from the latest release (currently v1.3) on the AirCard-iOS GitHub Releases page(opens in a new tab).

  3. Step 3: Sideload it

    Install the IPA with the sideloading tool you prefer — SideStore, AltStore, TrollStore, LiveContainer — or sign it yourself with Xcode / iOS App Signer.

  4. Step 4: Turn on LocalDevVPN

    Install LocalDevVPN and run it in loopback mode (10.7.0.1 or 127.0.0.1). AirCard-iOS needs it to reach system services on the device.

  5. Step 5: Pair in Developer Mode

    Open AirCard-iOS once, then go to Settings › Privacy & Security › Developer Mode and choose “Pair with AirCard-iOS”. You only need to do this once — no computer afterwards.

    TipDon’t see Developer Mode? Finish sideloading first — iOS shows the option after that.

  6. Step 6: Get your card art

    Download the card art from CardArt on your iPhone and save it to Files or Photos.

  7. Step 7: Detect the card and pick the image

    Start detection on AirCard-iOS’s Wallet page, then double-click the side button to bring up Apple Pay and tap the target card — the app detects it in real time. Then choose the image for that card.

    TipFor transit cards such as Suica and PASMO, the required PDF artwork is generated automatically.

  8. Step 8: Flash and check

    After flashing, force-close Wallet from the App Switcher and reopen it to see the new card. Button names may vary slightly between versions — follow what the app shows.

  9. Done

    Follow the steps above and you’re all set.

    Find card art

CardArt is not affiliated with Apple or the authors of AirCard and AirCard-iOS. AirCard is a third-party open-source tool — back up first and use it at your own risk.