Popcorn Time, the service that allows users to stream movie torrents, today makes its debut on iOS. It’s available only to jailbroken devices — there’s no way Apple would have approved it for the App Store — and it can be obtained through Cydia via a dedicated Popcorn Time repository.
Popcorn Time has been described as “Netflix for pirates,” but while the pirated content you’ll use it to watch is illegal, the app itself is not. And because neither you or the app store the files, you’re technically doing nothing wrong when you use it to stream movies and TV shows that you haven’t paid for.
Many would argue it’s still unethical, and they’d be right, but that doesn’t seem to put too many off; Popcorn Time has become incredibly popular since it was made available on Mac and PC back in March. It has also been brought to Android since then, and the team behind Popcorn Time says around 8,000 people attempt to install that Android app on iOS devices every day.
Fortunately for them, a real iOS app is now available for jailbroken iPhones and iPads running iOS 7 or later. To download it, just add https://cydia.time4popcorn.eu to your Cydia sources, and then search for “Popcorn Time.”
Because the content you’ll watch through Popcorn Time is streamed to your device, you won’t need a great deal of free storage to use the app. You will, however, need a Wi-Fi or data connection at all times. It’s also worth noting that unlike Popcorn Time for other platforms, the iOS version doesn’t yet have VPN built in, but its developers are working on it.
You can also expect to see support for Chromecast and AirPlay streaming in a future release.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
20 responses to “‘Netflix for pirates’ comes to jailbroken iOS devices”
You can get MovieBox without a jailbreak which, I believe, is a better (albeit also unethical), service.
Hw do you get it WITHoUT JB??
I have it on my 6, it works at first but after a while it crashes and won’t reopen. I’m assuming because that date and time is reverted.
The app itself is not illegal. It’s basically just a bittorrent client with a fancy UI.
He is correct; the app itself is not illegal, however using it is illegal.
Then don’t download it and use it. Problem solved, no crime commited.
Well, it’s a good thing I don’t have to answer to you, then. Get over it.
I supported my argument, you just chose not to accept it, and offered no counter to it to speak of. So, by your own logic, I don’t have to listen your shit.
Why are you lying? Where did I say it’s ok to perform illegal actions? If you can’t keep yourself from making shit up to prove your “point”, YOU don’t have an argument.
“The app itself is not illegal. It’s basically just a bittorrent client with a fancy UI.”
Unless you can demonstrate to me how this is factually incorrect(and you can’t, I promise you), then you are lying through your ugly, unbrushed teeth. It is not illegal to install this app. Period. No go spew your uninformed nonsense elsewhere, you dumb little manchild.
Because we’ve been waiting for it.
By streaming content, you are downloading the content in small chunks. You may not ever have it on your device in its entirety, but you are still downloading it and therefore possessing it illegally. End of discussion.
I wasn’t aware Circuit Court judges frequented Cult of Mac, welcome. What is the citation for this holding?
Name-calling, classy. Unless there’s a legal interpretation you’re just making pronouncements that suit your personal morality. While an action may be immoral, it is not necessarily illegal. TheDesertMonk deemed this action illegal, but he/she has no legal basis for such a contention (at least not yet). Again, cite the holding and I’ll be glad to agree on what is (and what is not) legal. Until then, speak about things you know.
How about you take that feather off your ass and move on?
that you’re acting like a little bit#h. Get over it. People want to hear about it so they’ll write about it. Go to Cnet if this bothers you too much.
“you’re technically doing nothing wrong when you use it to stream movies and TV shows that you haven’t paid for.”
Legal issues aside… this is wrong. Where did this mind-set of “taking anything you want (no matter who owns the rights), just because you’re smart enough to take it” come from? I’m all for torrents when used to distribute/share data in which the owner approves of it’s distribution. But not this.
The nature of journalism is to tell stories that people may not want to hear. Reporters report. Suck it up and move on. People who are willing to pirate movies would have figured it out eventually anyway.
“Having nothing whatsoever to do with this topic.”
Really??? You asked, “Why would you tell us about this?” This is a website that provides information. If you don’t like it, GO AWAY.
“This article is ~promoting~ illegal activity.”
You obviously didn’t read past the fold, considering the author discusses the legality of the app and even says, “Many would argue it’s still unethical, and they’d be right.” I’d hardly say that’s promoting illegal activity.
“‘People who are willing to murder would have figured out how to murder anyway, so that makes it okay to put up an article on how to murder someone.’ This is what you are claiming.”
This is called a straw man, and I’m not even going to bother to address it.
If you have a problem with the app, don’t download it. If you have a problem with this article, stop showing up to comment on it.
Yes, I am, since I thought I could have a discussion on the Internet without the other guy devolving into petty insults.