Emulators on iOS: Difference between revisions

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{{outdated}}
{{Infobox platform
|title = iPadOS
|logo = IPadOS.png
|developer = Apple Inc.
|type = [[:Category:Emulators by operating system|Operating systems]]
|first-release = [[Wikipedia:iPadOS 13|iPadOS 13]] ('''2019''')
|last-release = {{iPadOSVer}} ('''2026''')
}}
{{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 = {{iOSVer}} ('''2026''')
}}
{{WIP}}
{{WIP}}
:''This page is about emulators that run on iOS and iPadOS.'' {{for|software that emulates iOS/iPadOS on other hardware|iOS emulators}}


=<B>Multi-Systems</B>=
iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system developed by Apple exclusively for its mobile devices. It was unveiled in January 2007 for the first-generation iPhone, which launched in June 2007. iOS is based on macOS, and is the basis for three other operating systems made by Apple: iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS. iOS also formerly powered iPads until iPadOS was introduced in 2019 and the iPod Touch line of devices until its discontinuation.
iPadOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple for its iPad line of tablet computers. It was given a name distinct from iOS, the operating system used by Apple's iPhones to reflect the diverging features of the two product lines, such as multitasking. It was introduced as iPadOS 13, reflecting its status as the successor to iOS 12 for the iPad, and first released to the public on September 24, 2019.
;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.


===<B>[[RetroArch]]</B>===
==Background Information (WIP)==
Emulators were banned on the App Store for over a decade. Out of the blue, Apple allowed them in April 2024, under a few restrictions (most notably, they are not allowed to use JIT, which still requires sideloading).
===Installation Methods===
====App Store====
Currently, the most recommended method to install most emulators on iOS devices is the Apple App Store. (A few emulators still aren't available here though).


<B><code> [https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/apple/ios-arm64/RetroArch.ipa Nightly]</B></code>
====Sideloading====
Due to Apple restrictions, up to three apps can be sideloaded at a time (including Alt/SideServer, if applicable) and must be refreshed within one week to prevent from expiring without a paid Apple Developer account ($99/year). On iOS versions below 16.1.2 (excluding 15.7.2), MacDirtyCow's WDBRemoveThreeAppLimit exploit removes this restriction (compatible with AltStore).
;[https://altstore.io/ AltStore Classic]: An effective method to sideload by Riley Testut (developer of Delta) which doesn't require jailbreaking your iDevice. It requires a connected AltServer running on a computer connected by cable or Wi-Fi to install and sideload other apps.
:;[https://sidestore.io/ SideStore]: A beta fork of AltStore that doesn't require a computer post-installation, instead utilizing a Jitterbug paring file and StosVPN to install and refresh apps.
;Sideloadly: An alternative to AltStore that doesn't attach an app on-device.
;[https://github.com/khanhduytran0/LiveContainer/releases LiveContainer]: (For post-sideloading): An IPA that allows you to run iOS app without actually installing it, allowing you to technically install unlimited apps (3 app/10 app id limits of free developer accounts do not apply) and have multiple versions of an app installed and multiple data containers. Supports JIT. JIT-Less Mode requires exporting your certificate (requires AltStore 2.2.1+/SideStore 0.6.2+).


<B><code> [https://github.com/libretro GitHub]</code></B>
====Xcode====
Apps can be manually built, signed, and sideloaded with Apple's Xcode, but this isn't recommended unless you know what you're doing.


<B><code> [https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/apple/ios/latest/ iOS RetroArch Cores]</B></code>
===Just-In-Time Enablers===
Apple doesn't allow Just-In-Time Recompilation (or JIT), some emulators require it in order to run at full speed, requiring sideloading and a JIT enabler or debugger. Popular options include
;[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stikdebug/id6744045754 StikDebug]: Primarily developed by Stephen using jkcoxson's idevice library, StikDebug allows debugging/JIT enabling on sideloaded apps, requiring only a Jitterbug pairing file. Supersedes JitStreamer (EB).
:;SideStore 0.6.2 also implements a version of idevice that allows JIT enabling on 17.4-18.7.1.
;[https://faq.altstore.io/altstore-classic/altjit AltJIT]: Uses AltServer and AltStore to enable JIT, requires a Mac.


<code><font color="Blue"><B> [https://github.com/Abdess/retroarch_system RetroArch BIOS/ROMs]</B></font></B></code>
==iOS/iPadOS==
 
===Multi-Systems===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center
!Name
!Latest version
!<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>
![[RetroAchievements]]<br>Support
!Active
![[Recommended emulators|Recommended]]
|-
![[MAME]]
|-
|ArcadeMania<br>(MAME4iOS)
|[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/arcademania/id6496971234 2025.14]<br>[https://github.com/yoshisuga/MAME4iOS git]
|{{✓}}
|{{N}}
|{{Y}}
|{{✓}}
|-
![[libretro]]
|-
|[[RetroArch]]
|[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/retroarch/id6499539433 {{RetroArchVer}}]<br>[https://www.retroarch.com/ Website]
|{{Y}}
|{{✓}}
|{{Y}}
|{{✓}}
|-
|[[Provenance]]
|[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/provenance-app/id1596862805 {{ProvenanceVer}}]<br>[https://provenance-emu.com/apps.json AltSource]<br>[https://testflight.apple.com/join/NWfUUmKf tvOS TestFlight]<br>[https://github.com/Provenance-Emu/Provenance git]
|{{Y}}
|{{Y}}
|{{Y}}
|{{✓}}
|-
|[https://github.com/skylersaleh/SkyEmu SkyEmu]
|[https://github.com/skylersaleh/SkyEmu/releases IPA]<br>[https://github.com/skylersaleh/SkyEmu git]
|{{Y}}
|{{Y}}
|{{Y}}
|{{~}}
|-
!Others
|-
|[[Delta]]
|[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/delta-game-emulator/id1048524688 {{DeltaVer}}]<br>[https://apps.altstore.io AltSource]<br>[https://github.com/rileytestut/Delta git]
|{{Y}}
|{{~}}
|{{Y}}
|{{Y}}
|-
|[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://apps.apple.com/us/app/ignited-gba/id6743347338 {{IgnitedVer}}]<br>[https://testflight.apple.com/join/ExWvtjcq TestFlight]<br>[https://github.com/LitRitt/Ignited git]
|{{Y}}
|{{N}}
|{{Y}}
|{{TBD}}
|-
|-
|+ Available cores
|[[Folium]]
! Cores
|[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/folium/id6498623389 {{FoliumVer}}] ($)<br>[https://folium.emuplace.app/downloads IPA]
! Game/System list
|{{Y}}
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]] Working?
|{{N}}
|{{Y}}
|{{~}}
|-
|-
!colspan="20"|<B><I> Consoles</I></B>
|[[QEMU#UTM|UTM]]
|[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/utm-se-retro-pc-emulator/id1564628856 {{UTMVer}}]<br>[https://alt.getutm.app AltSource]<br>[https://github.com/utmapp/UTM git]
|{{y}}
|{{N}}
|{{Y}}
|{{y}}
|-
|-
|[[Manic EMU]]
|[https://apps.apple.com/th/app/manic-emu-game-emulator/id6743335790 {{Manic EMUVer}}]<br>[https://apps.manicemu.site/altstore AltSource]<br>[https://github.com/Manic-EMU/ManicEMU git]
|{{✓}}
|{{✓}}
|{{Y}}
|{{✓}}
|}
|}
''(Info yet to be added)''
===<B>Delta</B>===


===Nintendo===
====GameCube / Wii====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"|Name
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! Latest version
! scope="col"|Active
! WiiWare
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
! Accuracy
! [[Licensing|License]]
! Requires JIT/JITLess
! Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|-
| [https://deltaemulator.com/ Delta]
|[https://dolphinios.oatmealdome.me/ DolphiniOS]
| [https://github.com/rileytestut/Delta git]
|[https://altstore.oatmealdome.me AltSource]<br>[https://github.com/OatmealDome/dolphin-ios/ git]
| {{✓}}
|{{~}}
| {{✓}}
|?
|}
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
|{{y}}
|{{y}}
|{{✓}} (Beta)
|-
|Fin
|[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fin-game-emulator/id6758910777 {{FinVer}}]
|{{~}}
|?
|{{Green}} {{License|?}} ({{License|?}})
|{{✗}}
|{{y}}
|{{✓}} (Beta)


{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
! colspan=2 width="250"| Delta
|-
|-
|
|[https://icube-emu.com/ iCube]
<b>Supported Consoles list</b>
|[https://testflight.apple.com/join/9ZEfnyMP TestFlight]<br>[https://github.com/Provenance-Emu/iCube git]<br>[https://icube-emu.com/downloads Sideload]<br>
|
|{{~}}
* Nintendo Entertainment System
|?
* Super Nintendo Entertainment System
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2+}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
* Nintendo 64
|{{y}}
* Gameboy / Gameboy Color
|{{y}}
* Gameboy Advance
|{{✓}} (Beta)
* Nintendo DS
|}
|}


===<B>Provenance</B>===
====Switch====
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"|Name
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! Latest version
! scope="col"|Active
! Accuracy
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
! [[Licensing|License]]
! Requires JIT
! Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|[https://melonx.org MeloNX]
|[https://git.ryujinx.app/melonx/emu/-/raw/XC-ios-ht/source.json AltSource]<br>[https://git.ryujinx.app/melonx/emu git]
|?
|{{Green}} {{License|AGPLv3}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
|{{✓}}
|{{✓}}
|{{y}}
|-
|[https://pomelo-emu.github.io Pomelo]
|[https://github.com/Pomelo-Emu/pomelo-emu.github.io/releases git]
|?
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv3}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
|{{y}}
|{{✗}}
|{{✗}}
|-
|-
| [https://wiki.provenance-emu.com/ Provenance]
|Sudachi
| [https://github.com/Provenance-Emu/Provenance/releases 1.4]
|[https://github.com/mbruno9/Sudachi git]
| {{✓}}
|?
| {{✓}}
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv3}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
|{{y}}
|{{y}}
|{{n}}
|}
|}


{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
====Wii U====
! colspan=2 width="250"| Provenance
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! Latest version
! Accuracy
! [[Licensing|License]]
! Requires JIT
! Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|-
|
|TailFin
<b>Supported Consoles list</b>
|[https://testflight.apple.com/join/zJAF6tCc TestFlight]
|
|{{~}}
* SG-1000
|?
* Master System, Game Gear
|{{✗}}
* Sega Genesis/MD, Sega CD, 32X, Sega Saturn
|{{y}}
* Nintendo Entertainment System / Famicom Disk System
|{{✓}} (Beta)
* 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
|}
|}


===<B>Happy Chick</B>===
===Sony===
 
====PlayStation Portable====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"|Name
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! Latest version
! scope="col"|Active
! Accuracy
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
! [[Licensing|License]]
! Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|-
| Happy Chick Emulator
|Gamma
| [http://www.happychick.hk/download.html 1.5.1]
|[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gamma-ps-1-game-emulator/id6499106870 {{GammaVer}}]
| {{✓}}
|?
| {{✓}}
|{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}
|{{✓}}
|{{✓}}
|}
|}


=<B>Sony</B>=
====PlayStation 2====
 
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
===PlayStation===
!Name
!Latest version
!Accuracy
![[Licensing|License]]
!Requires JIT
!Active
![[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|[[Play!]]
|[https://purei.org/downloads.php Builds]<br>[https://github.com/jpd002/Play- git]
|Low
|{{Green}} {{License|BSD2}} ({{License|Permissive}})
|{{✓}}
|{{Y}}
|{{n}}
|-
|ARMSX2
|[https://github.com/ARMSX2/ARMSX2 {{ARMSX2iOSVer}}]
|?
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv3}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
|?
|{{Y}}
|?
|-
|iPSX2
|[https://github.com/otti83/iPSX2/releases/ git]
|Low
|{{Green}} {{License|?}} ({{License|?}})
|{{Y}}
|{{?}}
|?
|-
|Alune
|[https://jarrodnorwell.com/alune/ Sideload]<br>[https://testflight.apple.com/join/jDZ4BM99 TestFlight]
|?
|{{Green}} {{License|?}} ({{License|?}})
|{{✓}}
|{{Y}}
|?
|}


====PlayStation Portable====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! Latest version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! Accuracy
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Licensing|License]]
! Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|-
| PSX4iphone
|[[PPSSPP]]
| [https://www.freeemulator.com/emulator/psx4iphone-sony-playstation-emulator-for-ios/]
|[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ppsspp-psp-emulator/id6496972903 {{PPSSPPVer}}]<br>[https://nightly.link/hrydgard/ppsspp/workflows/build/master/ios%20build.zip Beta Builds]
| {{✗}}
|High
| {{✗}}
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
| ?
|{{✓}}
|{{✓}}
|}
 
===Microsoft===
====Xbox====
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!Name
!Latest version
!Accuracy
![[Licensing|License]]
!Requires JIT
!Active
![[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|[[DukeX]]
|[https://github.com/MaftyManicEMU/DukeX/releases v1.0.0]<br>[https://raw.githubusercontent.com/MaftyManicEMU/DukeX/refs/heads/master/altsource/source.json AltSource]<br>[https://github.com/MaftyManicEMU/DukeX git]
|Mid
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
|{{✓}}
|{{Y}}
|{{Y}}
|}
|}


===PlayStation 2===
====Xbox 360====
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!Name
!Latest version
!Accuracy
![[Licensing|License]]
!Requires JIT
!Active
![[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|XeniOS
|[https://xenios.jp/ Builds]<br>[https://github.com/xenios-jp/XeniOS/releases git]
|?
|{{Green}} {{License|BSD3}} ({{License|Clause}})
|{{✓}}
|{{Y}}
|{{Y}}
|}


===Sega===
====Saturn====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! Latest version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! Accuracy
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Licensing|License]]
! Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|-
| Play!
|[[Yaba Sanshiro]]
| [https://purei.org/downloads.php Builds]
|[https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/yaba-sanshiro-2/id1549144351 {{YabaSanshiroiOSVer}}]
| {{✓}}
|High
| {{✓}}
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
| {{✗}}
|{{✓}}
|{{✓}}
|}
|}


===PlayStation Portable===
====Dreamcast====
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! Latest version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! Accuracy
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Licensing|License]]
! Requires JIT
! Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|-
| PPSSPP
|[[Flycast]]
| [https://p.xx.wtf/ Builds]
|[https://github.com/flyinghead/flycast git]
| {{✓}}
|High
| {{✓}}
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
| {{✓}}
|{{x}}
|{{~}}
|{{n}}
|}
|}


=<B>Nintendo</B>=
===SNK===
 
====Neo Geo MVS / AES====
===GameBoy/GameBoy Color===
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! Latest version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! Accuracy
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Licensing|License]]
! Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|-
| GBA4iOS
|''Arcade Archives''<br><small>''ACA NEOGEO''</small>
| [https://iemulators.com/gba4ios 2.1]
|N/A
| {{✗}}
|High
| {{✗}}
|{{Red}} {{License|Proprietary}}
| {{✓}}
|{{✓}}
|-
|{{✓}}
| Game Play Color
| [https://gameplaycolor.com 2.3.6]
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{TBD}}
|}
|}


===Wii/GameCube===
===Apple Inc.===
 
====Macintosh 68k====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! Latest version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! Accuracy
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Licensing|License]]
! Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|-
| Dolphin iOS
|Mini vMac
| [https://dolphinios.oatmealdome.me/ 3.2.0]
|[https://github.com/zydeco/minivmac4ios git]
| {{✗}}
|?
| {{✓}}
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
| {{✓}}
|{{✗}}
|{{✓}}
|}
|}


===Nintendo DS===
===Multi- game engines===
====ScummVM (point-and-click adventure game engine)====
{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center
!Name
!Latest version
![[Emulation accuracy|Accuracy]]
![[Licensing|License]]
!Active
![[Recommended emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|[[ScummVM]]
|[https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scummvm/id6446184412 {{ScummVMVer}}]<br>[https://github.com/scummvm/scummvm git]
|Mid
|{{Green}} {{License|GPLv2}} ({{License|Copyleft}})
|{{Y}}
|{{✓}}
|}


====OpenBOR====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! Latest version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! Accuracy
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Licensing|License]]
! Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|-
| iNDS<br/><small>(nds4ios derived)</small>
| [[OpenBOR]]-iOS
| [https://github.com/iNDS-Team/iNDS/releases Git]
| [https://github.com/yoshisuga/OpenBOR-iOS git]
| {{✗}}
| ?
| {{✓}}
| {{Yellow}} {{License|NC}}
| {{✓}}
| {{~}}
|-
| NDS4iOS
| [https://iemulators.com/inds 1.3.5]
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|}
|}


=<B>Sega</B>=
===CHIP-8===
 
====CHIP-8/MegaChip/SCHIP====
===Saturn===
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! Name
! Name
! scope="col"|Version
! Latest version
! scope="col"|[[Libretro|Libretro Core]]
! Accuracy
! scope="col"|Active
! [[Licensing|License]]
! Active
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
! [[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|-
| uoYabause
| iPhone-Chip-8-Emulator
| [http://www.uoyabause.org/static_pages/download 2.1.2.0]
| [https://github.com/drhelius/iPhone-Chip-8-Emulator git]
| ?
| {{Yellow}} {{License|CCNCSA}} 3.0 ({{License|NC}})
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{~}}
| {{✓}}
|}
 
== Source ports/re-implementations ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!Latest version
!License
!Active
![[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
!'''Supported game(s) / Recreation based on'''
|-
|Pojavlauncher
|[https://github.com/PojavLauncherTeam/PojavLauncher_iOS/releases 2.2]
|
|X
|
|Minecraft: Java Edition Launcher
|-
|Amethyst
|[https://nightly.link/AngelAuraMC/Amethyst-iOS/workflows/development/main/org.angelauramc.amethyst-ios.ipa.zip 2.2]
|
|~
|
|Minecraft: Java Edition Launcher
|-
|Amethyst (iOs Remastered
|[https://github.com/herbrine8403/Amethyst-iOS-MyRemastered/releases 4.0.1]
|
|~
|
|Minecraft: Java Edition Launcher
|}
|}


==See also==
{{Emulators on other systems‎‎}}
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[https://blog.greggant.com/posts/2025/03/18/the-definitive-guide-to-ios-emulation.html Guide to available emulators for iOS]
*[https://www.reddit.com/r/EmulationOniOS/ Subreddit]
[[Category:iOS| ]]
[[Category:Emulators on mobiles]]
[[Category:Emulators on mobiles]]
[[Category:iOS emulation software| ]]

Latest revision as of 12:48, 23 August 2026

iPadOS
Developer Apple Inc.
Initial release iPadOS 13 (2019)
Latest release / iPadOS 26.6.1 (2026)
iOS
Developer Apple Inc.
Initial release iPhone OS 1.0 (2007)
Latest release / iOS 26.6.1 (2026)
This page is about emulators that run on iOS and iPadOS.
For software that emulates iOS/iPadOS on other hardware, see iOS emulators.

iOS (formerly iPhone OS) is a mobile operating system developed by Apple exclusively for its mobile devices. It was unveiled in January 2007 for the first-generation iPhone, which launched in June 2007. iOS is based on macOS, and is the basis for three other operating systems made by Apple: iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS. iOS also formerly powered iPads until iPadOS was introduced in 2019 and the iPod Touch line of devices until its discontinuation. iPadOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple for its iPad line of tablet computers. It was given a name distinct from iOS, the operating system used by Apple's iPhones to reflect the diverging features of the two product lines, such as multitasking. It was introduced as iPadOS 13, reflecting its status as the successor to iOS 12 for the iPad, and first released to the public on September 24, 2019.

Before diving in;
  • See each Wiki Category Consoles, Computers and 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.

Background Information (WIP)

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Emulators were banned on the App Store for over a decade. Out of the blue, Apple allowed them in April 2024, under a few restrictions (most notably, they are not allowed to use JIT, which still requires sideloading).

Installation Methods

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App Store

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Currently, the most recommended method to install most emulators on iOS devices is the Apple App Store. (A few emulators still aren't available here though).

Sideloading

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Due to Apple restrictions, up to three apps can be sideloaded at a time (including Alt/SideServer, if applicable) and must be refreshed within one week to prevent from expiring without a paid Apple Developer account ($99/year). On iOS versions below 16.1.2 (excluding 15.7.2), MacDirtyCow's WDBRemoveThreeAppLimit exploit removes this restriction (compatible with AltStore).

AltStore Classic
An effective method to sideload by Riley Testut (developer of Delta) which doesn't require jailbreaking your iDevice. It requires a connected AltServer running on a computer connected by cable or Wi-Fi to install and sideload other apps.
SideStore
A beta fork of AltStore that doesn't require a computer post-installation, instead utilizing a Jitterbug paring file and StosVPN to install and refresh apps.
Sideloadly
An alternative to AltStore that doesn't attach an app on-device.
LiveContainer
(For post-sideloading): An IPA that allows you to run iOS app without actually installing it, allowing you to technically install unlimited apps (3 app/10 app id limits of free developer accounts do not apply) and have multiple versions of an app installed and multiple data containers. Supports JIT. JIT-Less Mode requires exporting your certificate (requires AltStore 2.2.1+/SideStore 0.6.2+).

Xcode

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Apps can be manually built, signed, and sideloaded with Apple's Xcode, but this isn't recommended unless you know what you're doing.

Just-In-Time Enablers

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Apple doesn't allow Just-In-Time Recompilation (or JIT), some emulators require it in order to run at full speed, requiring sideloading and a JIT enabler or debugger. Popular options include

StikDebug
Primarily developed by Stephen using jkcoxson's idevice library, StikDebug allows debugging/JIT enabling on sideloaded apps, requiring only a Jitterbug pairing file. Supersedes JitStreamer (EB).
SideStore 0.6.2 also implements a version of idevice that allows JIT enabling on 17.4-18.7.1.
AltJIT
Uses AltServer and AltStore to enable JIT, requires a Mac.

iOS/iPadOS

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Multi-Systems

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Name Latest version FLOSS RetroAchievements
Support 		Active Recommended
MAME
ArcadeMania
(MAME4iOS) 		2025.14
git 		✓ ✗ ✓ ✓
libretro
RetroArch 1.22.2
Website 		✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Provenance 3.3.0
AltSource
tvOS TestFlight
git 		✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
SkyEmu IPA
git 		✓ ✓ ✓ ~
Others
Delta 1.7.3s
AltSource
git 		✓ ~ ✓ ✓
Ignited[1] 1.10
TestFlight
git 		✓ ✗ ✓ TBD
Folium 2.0 ($)
IPA 		✓ ✗ ✓ ~
UTM 4.7.5
AltSource
git 		✓ ✗ ✓ ✓
Manic EMU 2.0.0
AltSource
git 		✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Nintendo

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GameCube / Wii

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Name Latest version WiiWare Accuracy License Requires JIT/JITLess Active Recommended
DolphiniOS AltSource
git 		~ ? GPLv2 (Copyleft) ✓ ✓ ✓ (Beta)
Fin 1.1.1 ~ ? () ✗ ✓ ✓ (Beta)
iCube TestFlight
git
Sideload
 ~ ? (Copyleft) ✓ ✓ ✓ (Beta)

Switch

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Name Latest version Accuracy License Requires JIT Active Recommended
MeloNX AltSource
git 		? AGPLv3 (Copyleft) ✓ ✓ ✓
Pomelo git ? GPLv3 (Copyleft) ✓ ✗ ✗
Sudachi git ? GPLv3 (Copyleft) ✓ ✓ ✗

Wii U

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Name Latest version Accuracy License Requires JIT Active Recommended
TailFin TestFlight ~ ? ✗ ✓ ✓ (Beta)

Sony

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PlayStation Portable

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Name Latest version Accuracy License Active Recommended
Gamma 2.0.1 ? Proprietary ✓ ✓

PlayStation 2

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Name Latest version Accuracy License Requires JIT Active Recommended
Play! Builds
git 		Low BSD-2-Clause (Permissive) ✓ ✓ ✗
ARMSX2 2.5.2 ? GPLv3 (Copyleft) ? ✓ ?
iPSX2 git Low () ✓ ? ?
Alune Sideload
TestFlight 		? () ✓ ✓ ?

PlayStation Portable

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Name Latest version Accuracy License Active Recommended
PPSSPP 1.20.4
Beta Builds 		High GPLv2 (Copyleft) ✓ ✓

Microsoft

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Xbox

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Name Latest version Accuracy License Requires JIT Active Recommended
DukeX v1.0.0
AltSource
git 		Mid GPLv2 (Copyleft) ✓ ✓ ✓

Xbox 360

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Name Latest version Accuracy License Requires JIT Active Recommended
XeniOS Builds
git 		? BSD-3-Clause () ✓ ✓ ✓

Sega

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Saturn

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Name Latest version Accuracy License Active Recommended
Yaba Sanshiro 1.18.15 High GPLv2 (Copyleft) ✓ ✓

Dreamcast

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Name Latest version Accuracy License Requires JIT Active Recommended
Flycast git High GPLv2 (Copyleft) ✗ ~ ✗

SNK

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Neo Geo MVS / AES

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Name Latest version Accuracy License Active Recommended
Arcade Archives
ACA NEOGEO 		N/A High Proprietary ✓ ✓

Apple Inc.

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Macintosh 68k

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Name Latest version Accuracy License Active Recommended
Mini vMac git ? GPLv2 (Copyleft) ✗ ✓

Multi- game engines

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ScummVM (point-and-click adventure game engine)

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Name Latest version Accuracy License Active Recommended
ScummVM 2026.3.0
git 		Mid GPLv2 (Copyleft) ✓ ✓

OpenBOR

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Name Latest version Accuracy License Active Recommended
OpenBOR-iOS git ? Non-commercial ~ ✓

CHIP-8

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CHIP-8/MegaChip/SCHIP

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Name Latest version Accuracy License Active Recommended
iPhone-Chip-8-Emulator git ? 3.0 (Non-commercial) ✗ ~

Source ports/re-implementations

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Name Latest version License Active Recommended Supported game(s) / Recreation based on
Pojavlauncher 2.2 X Minecraft: Java Edition Launcher
Amethyst 2.2 ~ Minecraft: Java Edition Launcher
Amethyst (iOs Remastered 4.0.1 ~ Minecraft: Java Edition Launcher

See also

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Emulators on other systems(edit)

Notes

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  1. ↑ Ignited is a fork of Delta with a focus on more up-to-date and modern cores.
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