Emulators on iOS

2024-05-17T10:12:32Z

Nathanben: /* Eclipse */

{{WIP}}
{{Infobox platform
|title = iOS
|logo = IOS.png
|developer = Apple Inc.
|type = [[:Category:Emulators by operating system|Operating systems]]
|first-release = [[Wikipedia:IPhone_OS_1|iPhone OS 1.0]] ('''2007''')
|last-release = [[Wikipedia:IOS_17|iOS 17]] ('''2023''')
}}
:''This page is about emulators that run on IOS.''
:{{for|software that emulates IOS on other hardware|iOS emulators}}
{{outdated}}
Outdated note: update info and links due to App Store rules change

;Before diving in;
;*See each Wiki Category [[:Category:Consoles|Consoles]], [[:Category:Computers|Computers]] and [[:Category:Arcade|Arcade]] for individual dedicated system pages to see more detailed comparisons and information about software emulators. Dedicated system pages provide more up-to-date listings and in-depth information on specific aspects like hardware features, peripheral support, and compatibility etc.
;*Some games have [[Game engine recreations and source ports]] that run on iOS, which can be the better than emulators for their specific games.

=iOS=
==Multi-Systems==
===[[RetroArch]]===

<code> [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/retroarch/id6499539433 App Store]</code>

<code> [https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/apple/ios-arm64/RetroArch.ipa Nightly]</code>

<code> [https://github.com/libretro GitHub]</code>

<code> [https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/apple/ios/latest/ iOS RetroArch Cores]</code>

<code> [https://github.com/Abdess/retroarch_system RetroArch BIOS/ROMs]</code>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| [[Delta]]
| [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/delta-game-emulator/id1048524688 App Store] [https://github.com/rileytestut/Delta git]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|-
| [https://docs.ignitedemulator.com/ Ignited]<ref name=Ignited>Ignited is a fork of Delta with a focus on more up to date and modern cores.</ref>
| [https://github.com/LitRitt/Ignited git]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{TBD}}
|-
| [https://wiki.provenance-emu.com/ Provenance]
| [https://github.com/Provenance-Emu/Provenance/releases git]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|-
|[https://xiaoji001.org/wap/index.html Happy Chick Emulator] (小鸡模拟器)
| [http://www.happychick.hk/download.html 1.5.4]
|{{✗}} (stolen emulators)
|{{✓}}
|{{✗}}
|}

{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
! colspan=2 width="250"| Delta
|-
|
Supported Consoles list
|
* Nintendo Entertainment System
* Super Nintendo Entertainment System
* Nintendo 64
* Gameboy / Gameboy Color
* Gameboy Advance
* Nintendo DS
|}

{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
! colspan=2 width="250"| Ignited
|-
|
Supported Consoles list
|
* Nintendo Entertainment System
* Super Nintendo Entertainment System
* Nintendo 64
* Gameboy / Gameboy Color
* Gameboy Advance
* Nintendo DS
* Sega Genesis / Mega Drive
* Sega Master System
* Sega Game Gear
|}

{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
! colspan=2 width="250"| Provenance
|-
|
Supported Consoles list
|
* SG-1000
* Master System, Game Gear
* Sega Genesis/MD, Sega CD, 32X, Sega Saturn
* Nintendo Entertainment System / Famicom Disk System
* Super Nintendo Entertainment System
* Gameboy / Gameboy Color
* Gameboy Advance
* PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16)
* PC Engine Super CD-ROM² System / TurboGrafx-CD
* PC Engine SuperGrafx
* PC-FX
* SNK Neo Geo
* PlayStation
* Bandai WonderSwan
* Atari 2600
* Atari 5200
* Atari 7800
* Atari Lynx
* Atari Jaguar
|}

{|class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="width:100%;"
! colspan=2 width="250"|Happy Chick Emulator
|-
|
Supported Consoles list
|
* PlayStation
* PlayStation Portable
* Nintendo DS
* Nintendo 64
* Nintendo GBA
* Nintendo GB/GBC
* Nintendo SNES
* Nintendo NES
* Sega Genesis/MD
* Sega Game Gear & Master System
* Sega DreamCast
* NEC PCE/PCECD/SuperGrafx
* SNK NeoGeo Pocket/Pocket Color
* Bandai WonderSwan/WonderSwan Color
* MAME
* FinalBurn Alpha
* ONScripter
|}

===Best Emulators iOS 17.0 - 17.5===
[https://iospack.com/apps/emulators-ios/ iOS Emulators List 2024] The best emulators to play retro games on your iPhone or iPad, here are some of the best gaming emulators available in 2024.

===Eclipse===

[https://eclipseemu.me Eclipse] is a web-based emulator for iOS devices. It supports classic Nintendo systems (NES, SNES, GB, GBC, GBA) as well as Sega Game Gear and Master System.

It's very easy to use since it doesn't require any third-party app store or jailbreak, instead the website can simply be added to the home screen from Safari. It also works offline. However, it doesn't have as many features as other emulators.

==Sony==
===PlayStation===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| PSX4iphone
| [https://www.freeemulator.com/emulator/psx4iphone-sony-playstation-emulator-for-ios 1]
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
|}

===PlayStation 2===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| [[Play!]]
| [https://purei.org/downloads.php Automated Builds]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✗}}
|}

===PlayStation Portable===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| [[PPSSPP]]
| [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/retroarch/id6499539433 App Store] [https://www.ppsspp.org/download/ Builds]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|}

==Nintendo==
===NES (Famicom)===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Emulation Accuracy|Accuracy]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|Nesemu
|[https://github.com/tsalvo/nes-emu-ios git]
|High
|{{✓}}
|{{✓}}
|{{✓}}
|-
|Gearnes
|[https://github.com/drhelius/Gearnes git]
|High
|{{✓}}
|{{✗}}
|{{✗}}
|}

===Game Boy / Color===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| GearBoy
| [https://github.com/drhelius/Gearboy git]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|-
| GBA4iOS
| [https://iemulators.com/gba4ios 2.1]
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
|-
| Game Play Color
| [https://gameplaycolor.com 2.3.6]
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| ?
|}

===Wii / GameCube===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| [[Dolphin]] iOS
| [https://dolphinios.oatmealdome.me 3.2.1]
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|}

===Nintendo DS===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| iNDS (nds4ios derived)
| [https://github.com/iNDS-Team/iNDS/releases git]
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
|-
| NDS4iOS
| [https://iemulators.com/inds 1.3.5]
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{~}}
|}

===Nintendo 3DS===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| Limón
|[https://emuplace.app/emulators/limon/ipas/ 1.0.8.5 (Build 1)]
|{{✗}}
|{{✓}}
|{{✓}}
|{{✓}}
|}

==Sega==
===Saturn===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|[[Yaba Sanshiro]] (Yaba三四郎)
| [http://www.uoyabause.org/static_pages/download 2.1.2.0]
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|}

===MasterSystem / GameGear===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|SG-1000
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| GearSystem
| [https://github.com/drhelius/Gearsystem git]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|}

===Dreamcast===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| [[Flycast]]
| [https://flyinghead.github.io/flycast-builds Build]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{~}}
|}

==Microsoft==
===DOS===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| iDOS
| [https://github.com/yoshisuga/dospad git]
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{~}}
| {{~}}
|}

==NEC==
===PC9801===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| NP2-iOS
| [https://github.com/yoshisuga/np2-ios git]
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✗}}
| {{~}}
|}

===PC8801===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| XM8-iOS
| [https://github.com/yoshisuga/xm8-ios git]
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✗}}
| {{~}}
|}

==Motorola.==
===6609===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| my6609
| [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/my6809/id1233655601 1.2]
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|}

==Sinclair==
===ZX80/ZX81 & TS1000===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| ZX81
| [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/zx81/id1180117434 1.13.2]
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|}

==Apple Inc.==
===Macintosh 68k===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|Libretro Core
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|Mini vMac
|[https://www.gryphel.com/c/minivmac/ports.html latest]
|{{✓}}
|{{✓}}
|{{✗}}
|{{✓}}
|-
|BasiliskII
|[https://www.mediafire.com/file/1tdyozg4egjg5ai/BasiliskII_2020.05.31.ipa/file 31/05/2020]
|{{✓}}
|{{✓}}
|{{✗}}
|{{~}}
|}

===Apple llGS===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| ActiveGS
| [https://github.com/yoshisuga/activegs-ios git]
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|}

==Arcade==
===MAME===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| MAME4iOS
| [https://github.com/yoshisuga/MAME4iOS git]
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|}

==Programming based==
===Martin Magni===
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|FLOSS
! scope="col"|Active
! scope="col"|Recommended
|-
|[https://fancade.com Fancade]
|[https://play.fancade.com HTML5][https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fancade/id1280404080 1.12.4]
|{{✗}}
|{{✓}}
|{{✓}}
|}

==Game Engine==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| [[OpenBOR]]-iOS
| [https://github.com/yoshisuga/OpenBOR-iOS git]
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{~}}
| {{✓}}
|-
| Doom3-iOS
| [https://github.com/yoshisuga/DOOM3-iOS git]
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
|}

==Chip8 / Schip8==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| iPhone-Chip-8-Emulator
| [https://github.com/drhelius/iPhone-Chip-8-Emulator git]
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{~}}
|}

==Other==
* VirtualKim - 6502 Emulator https://apps.apple.com/us/app/virtualkim-6502-emulator/id1548356829
* ScummVM - Old Game engines https://docs.scummvm.org/en/latest/other_platforms/ios.html
* UTM - Emulate via virtual machines https://getutm.app/
Will add to relevant sections later

=iPadOS=
IPOS is an iOS based operating system developed for the iPad line of tablet computers.

=WatchOS=
WOS is an iOS based operating system developed for the Apple Watch.
==Nintendo==
===GameBoy Advance===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| GBA4WATCH|[https://github.com/brld/GBA-4-Watch GBA4Watch]
| {{✓}}
| {{✗}}
| {{TBD}}
|-
|}
===GameBoy/GameBoy Color===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|Versions
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| [https://github.com/gabrieloc/GIOVANNI GIOVANNI]
| [https://github.com/Manurocker95/GiovanniEmulator WatchOS 5.2 fork] [https://github.com/gabrieloc/GIOVANNI Original version]
| {{✓}}
| {{✗}}
| {{TBD}}
|-
| [https://github.com/RossMeikleham/PlutoBoy PlutoBoy]
| [https://github.com/RossMeikleham/PlutoBoy git]
| {{✓}}
| {{✗}}
| {{TBD}}
|-
|}

===NES===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|Versions
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| [https://github.com/giginet/NESEmulator-watchOS NESEmulator]
| [https://github.com/adityajs12321/NESEmulator-watchOS8 WatchOS 8 fork] [https://github.com/giginet/NESEmulator-watchOS Original version]
| {{✓}}
| {{✗}}
| {{TBD}}
|-
|}

==Chip8==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
! scope="col"|Active
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
| [https://github.com/ryanggrey/chip-8-watchOS Chip-8-WatchOS]
| {{✓}}
| {{✗}}
| {{TBD}}
|-
|}

=See also=
* [[Emulators on Vita]]
* [[Emulators on PSP]]
* [[Emulators on PS4]]
* [[Emulators on Switch]]
* [[Emulators on 3DS]]
* [[Emulators on Java]]
* [[Emulators on Symbian]]
* [[Emulators on Android]]
* [[iOS emulators]]

[[Category:Emulators on mobiles]]
[[Category:iOS emulation software|*]]

Emulation General Wiki - User contributions [en]

Emulators on iOS