# AltServer AltServer is a companion application for your computer that allows AltStore to sideload apps onto your device. As long as AltStore is on the same WiFi network as a computer running AltServer — or is plugged-in directly to the computer via USB — AltStore can sideload, refresh, activate, and deactivate apps. AltServer is also used to install AltStore in the first place, and if your AltStore expires you can manually refresh it by re-installing AltStore with AltServer **without** deleting AltStore first. AltStore will try to automatically refresh your apps throughout the week, so we recommend launching AltServer at computer startup and leaving it running in the background to ensure AltStore can do its job. If you have trouble using AltServer, please check our [troubleshooting guide](https://faq.altstore.io/altstore-classic/troubleshooting-guide). --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://faq.altstore.io/altstore-classic/altserver.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.