StikDebug – Your gateway for running VM, play PS2, Wii, GameCube, DreamCast at full speed without PC, without Wi-Fi
- This tutorial detailed the steps to install, setup and use StikDebug to enable JIT on any sideloaded apps without PC/Mac and without Wi-Fi (Cellular / Airplane mode can do).
- No jailbreak nor any forms of subscriptions is required.
- This tutorial though intended for iPhone but works the same for iPad.
- For other interesting articles, check it out here Raspberry Pi, Linux, Windows, Xbox, PS5, Nintendo Switch, other gaming, iOS, Tech or more at JILAXZONE.
- If you find this article / content inside is already obsolete, do let me know by commenting on the comment section below so that I can update the article to reflect the latest process/news. Thanks.
StikDebug – an Apple App Store approved on-device JIT activation. It’s a serverless, no queue, on-device direct JIT enabler, no PC/Mac required, no Wi-Fi required.
What is JIT and what is StikDebug?
Short for Just-In Time, in computing, it refers to Just-In Time compilation of codes during runtime. Since there could be someone new into iOS / iPadOS JIT and sideloaded world, in layman term JIT is basically “something” or you can even refer to “some magics” that enables your iPhone / iPad to run sideloaded apps (such as emulator) at even higher speed or full speed – without the needs of using/having the latest and greatest iPhone / iPad. However, in case you are in possession of the latest and greatest iPhone or iPad, that would even better for you, because the sideloaded apps may even running at constant 60 fps or above (assuming there’s no capped on the sideloaded apps/emulators).
Now what is this StikDebug? It’s the twin brother of StikJIT , a discovery based on collaboration among jkcoxson, Stephen, Stossy11 and other great peoples (apologies if I didn’t mention your name here, because I’m getting all this info scrapping Reddit and Github) that push JitStreamer into StikJIT (the previous best JIT enabler) and pushing further into StikDebug. As a result, you have serverless on-device direct JIT enabler that’s available officially on Apple App Store. How does that mean for you? Well, now you can enable JIT on supported iOS and iPadOS device with just a simple download from Apple App Store to get it installed, then one single tap from within the device. No complicated setups, no shortcuts.
I have personally tested it on the latest iOS 18.4 (this is the latest available iOS during the time of writing of this article) and it run perfect on my now-considered old iPhone XR – StikDebug enabled me running sideloaded app (such as UTM hosting Windows XP) and games or game emulators (such as DolphiniOS, the Nintendo GameCube and Wii emulator) requiring JIT on the go, so no matter where and when I’m going, I can always get full speed on sideloaded apps and games.
Now it’s my turn to give back to the community by at least writing this detailed step by step guidelines in a very “beginner” way, so everyone can follow the steps for the on-the-go JIT enabler via StikDebug.
In case you want to join/contribute to the community, do check:
| StikDebug web page | https://stikdebug.xyz/ |
| StikJIT github page | https://github.com/0-Blu/StikJIT |
| StosVPN github page | https://github.com/SideStore/StosVPN |
| JKCoxson’s Discord | https://discord.com/invite/cRDk9PN9zu |
| Scigward’s original Reddit thread | https://www.reddit.com/r/EmulationOniOS/comments/1jo78ug/how_to_setup_stikjit_for_ios_ondeviceofflinejit/ |
How is StikDebug different from Other JIT Enabler, including the recent StikJIT and JitStreamer?
StikDebug is the twin brother of StikJIT with 1 single difference: StikDebug is available to download from Apple App Store officially (you don’t need to sideload it), however StikJIT is not available on the Apple App Store hence you need to sideload it, in order to use it. Feature wise, they are pretty much identical.
JitStreamer on the other hand, is the predecessor of StikDebug and StikJIT, you can even call JitStreamer as the grandpa of StikDebug. It paved the way for StikJIT and StikDebug by eliminating the need of PC/Mac to enable JIT but it does require someone (in this case jkcoxson) to run and host server, so that we can connect and activate JIT; StikJIT removed the need to have the server, however to use StikJIT as JIT enabler, you still require to sideloaded it. StikDebug eliminates the need to sideload the JIT enabler app, by officially listed on Apple App Store. Based on discovery of those geniuses I mentioned above, now JIT can be enabled without queueing for server access (made it a serverless), directly from your own device – making StikDebug is the smoothest and quickest JIT enabler – surpassing StikJIT and JitStreamer (both are the previous title holders) – I have tested so far.
Just in case you need some info on other JIT enabler that doesn’t require PC/Mac:
StikJIT: Full Detailed Guide to Setup StikJIT at JILAXZONE.
JitStreamer: link here: Full Detailed Guide to Setup JitStreamer at JILAXZONE.
Alpine-JitStreamer: link here: https://github.com/1Emilis1/Alpine-JitStreamer.
JitStreamer uses server hosted by jkcoxson so that you can enabled JIT without the needs of PC (because jkcoxson provides for you the “PC”). The main drawback is you are dependent on jkcoxson kindness to host the server for you. And there’s queue in case server reaches capacity and requires you to connect to Wi-Fi to enable JIT.
Alpine-JitStreamer uses Alpine Linux VM (Virtual Machine) installed in your iOS/iPadOS device via UTM SE as the “virtual” PC to enable JIT. The main drawback is that, running the “virtual” PC using UTM SE is slow, requiring you to have a lot of patience, but hey, it’s working too!
In comparison, StikDebug on top of already having VPN inside the app, do not require server or PC or Mac, so there’s no queue, and being connected to Wi-Fi is not a mandatory (you have the choice to use Wi-Fi, Cellular or even Airplane mode) to enable JIT, simply making StikDebug to be the best, easiest quickest JIT enabler out there.
Here’s what you need
These are the key ingredients you need to get StikDebug up and running.
1) iPhone
Either iPhone or iPad, any models that run iOS & iPadOS 17.4 or above.
2) PC/Mac + Keyboard + Mouse (for One-Time Setup)
PC/Mac is used to do one-time setup only, to run Jitterbug – a tool to generate mobiledevicepairing/plist file that unique to your iPhone/iPad. Since I’m using Windows PC, the steps below are tailored for Windows PC, however if you are using Mac/Linux, the steps shouldn’t be too far different. In case you don’t have PC/Mac, you can run Jitterbug using a different iPhone/iPad.
In case you are not running Windows, don’t fret. Do check out the following guidelines to get Windows VM for FREE.
| Windows 10 | Guide to get Windows 10 VM FREE & Official from Microsoft at JILAXZONE |
| Windows 11 | Guide to get Windows 11 VM FREE & Official from Microsoft at JILAXZONE |
3) USB-C/Lightning Cable (for One-Time Setup)
This is used for connecting your iPhone/iPad into PC/Mac during running Jitterbug.
4) Internet Connection
Requires on both your PC/Mac as well as on your iPhone/iPad. Because obviously we are going to download some applications.
5) Your Precious Time (for this one-time setup, around ~0.25 to 0.5 hour)
Depending on where you are on the setup and your Internet connection speed, the whole setup which includes one-time setup and repetitive setup, requires half an hour to one hour of your precious time.
Ensure you have all of the key ingredients with you before starting.
Note: If you buy anything from Amazon / AliExpress using links above, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost charged on your purchases.
Install & Setup StikDebug – High Level Steps
I have gone a few rounds to cut here and there to come with the shortest and easiest way to enable everything. Feel free to share with me if you find another simpler way to do the steps.
The following are the high-level steps going to be done on this detailed step by step guideline. In case you can guess what needs to be done by just looking at the high-level steps, feel free to skip the detail steps below.
–One-Time Setup–
Step 1) Download and Install StikDebug from Apple App Store
Step 2) Download Jitterbug/JitterbugPair into your Computer
Step 3) Connect your iPhone to your Computer
Step 4) Run JitterbugPair on your Computer and Generate your unique mobiledevicepairing ID
Step 5) (Optional) Rename JitterbugPair mobiledevicepairing ID into plist on your Computer
Step 6) Download and Install SendAnywhere app on your iPhone
Step 7) Copy JitterbugPair plist file from computer into iPhone via SendAnywhere
–Repetitive setup–
Step 8) Open StikDebug app and tap “Enable JIT”
Step 9) Select the sideloaded app
Step 10) Turn off StikDebug VPN
Step 11) Run sideloaded app with JIT enabled!
Detailed step by step to install and use StikDebug into your iPhone and iPad
| The following steps written here have been tested to run successfully on the following environment: a) Latest iOS – at the time this article is written is iOS 18.4 and using the iPhone that I currently have – iPhone XR. In case you are not on iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 yet, check the link here to get iOS 18 & iPadOS 18: Here’s how to update iPhone to iOS 18 & iPad to iPadOS 18 today at JILAXZONE. b) Windows 11 – In case you are looking to install Windows 11, check the link here to get them installed: Getting Windows 11 and installing on your Computer at JILAXZONE. Should you be using different version of iOS or iPadOS and PC/Mac/Linux, the steps may be slightly different but should not deviate too much. Anyway, in case you have questions / issues, feel free to put them down on the comment section down below, I’ll be more than happy to help you. |
The steps below are using the following legends.
| Legends | Description |
|---|---|
| [This is a one-time setup] | Means it’s just a one-time setup. You just need to do the step one time only. |
| [This is a repetitive setup] | Means you need to do it again when you need to sideload any application and/or refresh the sideloaded apps. |
Step 1) to Step 7) are one-time setup.
Step 1) Download and Install StikDebug from Apple App Store
[This is a one-time setup]
This is the main thing. Head to the Apple App Store (link below) to install StikDebug.
| Download link | https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stikdebug/id6744045754 |
Once downloaded and installed, you should be able to see StikDebug app on your home screen.
Step 2) Download Jitterbug / JitterbugPair into your Computer
[This is a one-time setup]
JitterbugPair is used to get your iPhone unique UDID which needed to sideload your apps.
I would highly recommend, even if you used JitterbugPair before and especially with different iOS, you should regenerate the mobiledevicepairing file again, to ensure full compatibility with StikDebug.
Check out here for the latest version (in case they have newer version and updates):
| Check latest version | https://github.com/osy/Jitterbug/releases/ |
Click on the “Assets” to get the jitterbugpair-win64.zip (if you are not using Windows, download the proper one for your Linux/Mac version).
As an alternative, do check out below for direct link to JitterbugPair v1.3.1.
| Direct download link | https://github.com/osy/Jitterbug/releases/download/v1.3.1/jitterbugpair-win64.zip |
Step 3) Connect your iPhone to your Computer
[This is a one-time setup]
Grab that USB-C or Lightning cable and plug it to your iPhone and your computer.
Ensure that your iPhone is detected by the computer. Unlock your iPhone and tap on “Trust” when prompted (in case you never plug and/or “Trust” your iPhone to your computer before).
Step 4) Run JitterbugPair on your Computer and Generate your unique mobiledevicepairing ID
[This is a one-time setup]
I would highly recommend, even if you used JitterbugPair before and especially with different iOS, you should regenerate the mobiledevicepairing file again, to ensure full compatibility with StikDebug.
Do the following steps on your computer:
4a) Extract jitterbugpair-win64.zip into any folder (E.g.: D:\JitterbugPair). Let’s call this JitterbugPair folder.
4b) Once extracted, you should see 2 files: jitterbugpair.exe and libwinpthread-1.dll.
4c) Open your command prompt by clicking on Windows, then type “Command Prompt”. Click on Command Prompt to open a new Command Prompt window.
4d) Inside Command Prompt window, navigate to JitterbugPair folder (E.g.: type “cd D:\JitterbugPair” – without the double quotes).
4e) Once Command Prompt has been navigated to JitterbugPair folder, type “jitterbugpair.exe”.
If your iPhone connected correctly to your computer, you should get the following message, “SUCCESS: wrote to XXXXXXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.mobiledevicepairing.” where XXXXXXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX is hexadecimal value of your iPhone unique UDID.
Step 5) (Optional) Rename JitterbugPair mobiledevicepairing ID into plist on your Computer
[This is a one-time setup]
Do the following steps on your computer:
5a) From the previous step, check the JitterbugPair folder (E.g.: D:\JitterbugPair).
5b) You should now be able to find file like this: XXXXXXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.mobiledevicepairing where XXXXXXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX is your iPhone unique UDID.
5c) Rename the file extension from .mobiledevicepairing into .plist. So the final result would be XXXXXXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.plist.
Step 6) Download SendAnywhere app on your iPhone
[This is a one-time setup]
SendAnywhere is used for transferring files from computer to your iPhone and vice versa. This is going to be used to transfer the JitterbugPair mobiledevicepairing plist file into iPhone.
| Download link | SendAnywhere on Apple App Store |
Download and install this app to your iPhone. If you have other preference for file transfer app, feel free to replace this app with your preferred file transfer app.
Step 7) Copy JitterbugPair plist file from computer into iPhone via SendAnywhere
[This is a one-time setup]
Do the following steps on your computer:
7a) Open browser (E.g.: Chrome).
7b) Open SendAnywhere website, URL: https://send-anywhere.com/.
7c) On SendAnywhere website, click “+”.
7d) Navigate to JitterbugPair folder (E.g.: D:\JitterbugPair) and select the XXXXXXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.plist file, then click “Open”.
7e) Click “Send” and take note of the 6-digit numbers it gives you.
Do the following steps on your iPhone:
7f) Open SendAnywhere app.
7g) Inside SendAnywhere app, navigate to “Receieve” tab and tap on “Input Key”.
7h) Key in the 6-digit numbers you get from SendAnywhere website and tap on “Receive”.
The XXXXXXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.plist will then be transfered from your computer to your iPhone. For now, that should be it.
Note: XXXXXXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX refers to your iPhone unique UDID.
Step 8) to Step 1`) are what you need each time you want to enable JIT (repetitive setup)
Step 8) Open StikDebug app and tap “Enable JIT”
[This is repetitive setup]
When you open StikDebug app, it will establish VPN connection called StikDebug (check it out by go to Settings > VPN) and turn the VPN on. If the VPN is successfully turned on, you should be able to see the VPN logo located on top of the iPhone screen.
If this is your first time opening StikDebug app, it will prompt you to import Pairing File. Tap “Import Pairing File” and select the JitterbugPair plist file you have transferred into your iPhone (see Step 7). Once plist file has been imported, follow these steps:
8a) Inside StikDebug app, simply tap on “Enable JIT” to enable JIT. StikDebug will show loading screen here. If it’s not returning within a minute, you may want to kill and redo from Step 11).
Step 9) Select the sideloaded app
[This is repetitive setup]
Do the following steps on your iPhone:
| Note: You can only select one app at a time. |
9a) You’ll be prompted to choose the sideloaded app you want to enable JIT for. Do select from the selections.
Within less than 5 seconds, you’ll be redirected to the selected app.
Now before you fully focus on the selected app, don’t forget to continue on the remaining steps to turn off the VPN.
Step 10) Turn off StikDebug VPN
[This is repetitive setup]
Once you have JIT enabled on your sideloaded app, don’t forget to turn off the StikDebug VPN.
Do the following steps on your iPhone:
10a) Go to Settings > VPN.
10b) See the VPN Status. If it’s enabled/turned on, tap on it to turn off.
If the VPN turned off successfully, you should NOT see the “VPN” logo anymore on the top bar of your iPhone.
Step 11) Run sideloaded app with JIT enabled!
[This is repetitive setup]
Head back to your sideloaded app and enjoy with JIT enabled!
That’s it. The steps are pretty simple, am I right? Congrats for achieving this far!
What can you do with StikDebug and JIT-Enabled Sideloaded Apps?
Well, the possibilities are limitless. On my case, since I love Retro-gaming – for me, what’s consider as retro gaming is anything that’s no longer a current generation gaming (Eg: Today’s current gen gaming are PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch) – , I used StikDebug to run high-demanding retro-game console emulators, such as DolphiniOS (Nintendo Gamecube and Nintendo Wii emulator), Folium (Nintendo 3DS emulator), Play! (Sony PlayStation 2 emulator) and FlyCast (SEGA Dreamcast emulator). Here they are and their respective guides to install into your iPhone:
| System | Emulator available for iOS | Installation guide Link |
|---|---|---|
| Sega Dreamcast | Flycast | Flycast for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| Sony PlayStation 2 | Play! | Play! for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| Nintendo 3DS | Folium (Full FREE version) | Free version of Folium for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| Nintendo GameCube | DolphiniOS | DolphiniOS for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| Nintendo Wii | DolphiniOS | DolphiniOS for iOS at JILAXZONE |
Bring it all together
Do give it a try (while you can and while it still can). Unleashed the power of JIT into your iPhone or iPad. Although I have to warn you – at the time this article is written, I read rumors that Apple is going to patch soon the future iOS to render StikDebug useless by deactivating the JIT at the kernel level of iOS. While I hope it’s never going to happen, but looking the history of Apple, they may really patch iOS and iPadOS so that StikDebug as well as StikJIT will no longer function as we are expecting. Till then, do enjoy the best on-device JIT enabler – StikDebug.
In case you encountered any difficulties and/or have queries, don’t hesitate to put your queries or thoughts on the comment section down below. I’ll be happy to assist.
Controllers Recommendation – Play better with Controller!
Playing retro games is always better with controller!
I’m a retro-gamer play-on-the-go enthusiast. One of many reasons why I’m using StikDebug is to run high-demanding emulators, such as DolphiniOS for Nintendo GameCube and Wii emulators or Play! for PlayStation 2 emulator. While I can use the touchscreen of the iPhone to play the retro games, but for greater fun and enjoyment, I bought and used (multiple) Controllers that comes with physical buttons – so the experience is (almost) the same as the original. If you are like me – a retro gamer play-on-the-go enthusiast – I would highly recommend you to also get and use physical controllers like what I did. So just in case you need some recommendations on which controllers to get, here they are. I am personally using Nimbus and DualShock 4 to play the games.
All controllers’ images shown below are trademarks of the respective owners.
8BitDo M30 | The Bluetooth controller that looks like the 6-button SEGA Genesis / Mega Drive controller. Get 8BitDo M30 on Amazon Get 8BitDo M30 on AliExpress Get 8BitDo M30 Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress |
Backbone Controller 2nd Generation with USB-C / Lightning | The controller that uses USB-C (or lightning) to connect. Very handy and portable to carry around. Get Backbone Controller on Amazon |
Razer Kishi | Best telescopic controller for iPhone. It comes with Lightning connector for passthrough charging as well as better low-latency gaming. In case you need it: Get Razer Kishi for Android on Amazon Get Razer Kishi for Android on AliExpress Get Razer Kishi for iPhone on Amazon Get Razer Kishi for iPhone on AliExpress |
SteelSeries Nimbus+ | For playing iOS games. I like it because it’s MFi certified – Made for iOS, any controller-compatible games will for sure run with this controller. In case you need it: Get SteelSeries Nimbus+ on Amazon Get Nimbus iPhone clipper on AliExpress. |
Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller | Great controller from Xbox compatible with your Xbox (of course!) as well as Windows PC, Android and iOS, recommended for those with big hands. Read here for pairing Xbox Series X|S Controller with your iPhone at JILAXZONE. In case you need it: Get Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller on Amazon Get Xbox Series X|S Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress Get Xbox One Controller on Amazon Get Xbox One Controller on AliExpress Get Xbox One Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress |
PS5 DualSense | Awesome controller from PlayStation compatible with your PS5 (of course!) as well as Android and iOS, recommended for those with smaller hands. Read here for pairing PS5 DualSense Controller with your iPhone at JILAXZONE. In case you need it: Get PS5 DualSense on Amazon Get PS5 DualSense Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress |
PS4 DualShock | While DualSense is the latest PlayStation controller but doesn’t mean DualShock 4 is bad. DualShock 4 is indeed one of the cheaper alternatives to get into gaming on your Android and iOS, recommended for those with smaller hands. In case you need it: Get PS4 DualShock 4 on Amazon Get PS4 DualShock 4 on AliExpress Get PS4 DualShock 4 Android/iPhone Clipper on AliExpress |
Here’s my own setup:
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