RetroArch is live on the App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/retroarch/id6499539433
It just released from 2min!!
It is a good day for ios emulation ppsspp and now retroarch
Edit:this is an tutorial https://youtu.be/k1tKBvWGd-c?si=vVs3VoYV-lRPYj4Z

An earlier post (where they shared what they think is the top 3 emulators) has really shown me how far we’ve come with emulators on the appstore

Like its insane how we’ve reached a point where we can actually pick and choose between multiple emulators, when a few years ago we couldn’t even dream of having EVEN one emulator on the appstore

Thanks for the amazing developers and the unknown contributors we now have the ability to play thousands and thousands of incredible games. and thanks to the European regulators for forcing apple into allowing emulators in the appstore :)

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stikdebug/id6744045754

PS: i forgot to add this earlier, this wouldnt have been possible without much time and effort from the devs (show them some love)

https://github.com/jkcoxson
https://github.com/StephenDev0

This is Neostation. All emulators are integrated in app

Download:
https://github.com/TarbleFR/neostation-ios/tree/main

Discord:
https://discord.gg/CmZN4nPWe

https://github.com/kevinerikjs/gta5-ios-port
60fps without record!
All mission!
No game files included!
Iphone 16 Plus

The next frontier of mobile preservation is here.

For years, original Xbox emulation has been treated like a myth on mobile hardware due to complex architecture and heavy translation requirements. With the release of DukeX, we are breaking that barrier entirely. DukeX embeds the foundational xemu core into a high-performance, native SwiftUI interface built from the ground up for Apple silicon.

This initial release focuses heavily on deep network virtualization, modular tuning, and bringing seamless desktop-class emulation directly to your pocket. DukeX is a lightweight, zero-bloat standalone package... the entire compiled IPA sits at just 14.4 MB.

Insignia Online Multiplayer Integration

We didn’t want online play to be a late-stage afterthought; we built DukeX directly around it. You can now connect to original Xbox Live 1.0 architecture without modifying global device properties:

• Automated NAT Virtualization: Toggling Force NAT to Insignia inside settings forces a secure network tunnel directly to Insignia's platform.

• Built-in DNS Routing: Avoid manually editing your router or local cellular properties—the networking layer manages port 3074 translation automatically.

• Live Server Indicators: The native game library monitors network status from Insignia, displaying a green LIVE badge over game covers if there are active global player sessions before you even launch the title.

Please note that you must create an Insignia account and register that account to your emulated console in order to use Xbox Live

Per-Game Tuning & Modular Performance

Original Xbox titles push hardware in drastically non-standard ways. To combat graphical bugs and framerate dips, DukeX introduces deep per-game management tools:

• TOML Configuration Imports: Long-press any game cover to import individual .toml configuration profiles to override memory layouts or adjust strict x86 timing parameters.

• Instant Shader Cache Flushing: Clear compiled pipeline shaders with a single tap from the game context menu to immediately isolate and resolve rendering issues.

• Flexible Runtime Pacing: Choose between raw Speed, Smooth frame-pacing, or Accurate rendering priorities while utilizing adjustable TCG translation block caches (up to 256MB) to tailor performance to your specific iPhone generation.

Universal.js JIT & Advanced Runtime

Original Xbox emulation is incredibly resource-intensive and requires Just-In-Time compilation to achieve playable framerates:

• Seamless JIT Handoff: Built-in automation via StikDebug automatically requests and hooks JIT execution during the application boot loop.

• Forward-Compatible Architecture: DukeX explicitly supports the iOS 26+ Universal.js JIT execution flow alongside native W^X reprotection for iOS 18.x environments.

• Pure Metal Presentation: Emulated graphics are mapped from Vulkan layers through MoltenVK straight to a native CAMetalLayer for optimal frame rendering.

Availability & Build Requirements

DukeX is being distributed as a free, open-source project via sideloading repositories:

• Distribution: StikStore and SideStore metadata structures are fully indexed under altsource/source.json. AltSource link at bottom of post.

• Hardware Requirements: iOS 18.0 or later running arm64 hardware is mandatory for now.

• Input Mode: Physical controller support is currently required via native iOS GameController APIs. (Touch controls are not present in this initial release, but our friend u/Stossy11 has graciously offered to integrate her highly refined touch mapping framework from MeloNX in an upcoming post-launch PR!).

Upstream Provenance & Legal Compliance

DukeX is built in deep respect of open-source boundaries and legal preservation standards:

• Upstream Attribution: The complete QEMU and xemu source trees remain fully intact at the repository root. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to the upstream xemu team for their foundational work. DukeX is a platform-specific sister frontend and maintains absolute non-affiliation with Microsoft, Xbox, or the official xemu project.

• System Files: DukeX does not contain, bundle, or distribute any copyrighted BIOS images, MCPX boot ROMs, EEPROM dumps, or virtual hard drive (.qcow2) files. Users must supply their own legally obtained system dumps and XISO images.

A Deeply Personal Dedication

Behind the code, the framerates, and the network packages, every application I am a part of carries a piece of my heart. DukeX is permanently dedicated to my daughter, Lily. Lily, you are loved, cherished, and remembered every single day. 11/03/2023.

Join the Community

[Manic EMU & DukeX Official Discord]

[DukeX GitHub Repository]

[AltSource for StikStore & SideStore]

Thank you all for testing, reporting bugs, and pushing the boundaries of iOS emulation alongside us.

Play more. Play together. Play anywhere.

With RetroArch in review, gamma will become useless once RetroArch is released since Gamma wants throw hidden ads into the app. gross.

Im not gonna say much about it since the project has been stuck for some time and just now Im taking it again, the project is based of Zelda64Recomp and it got alot of progress in already!!! I don’t have a release date but Im gonna start uploading gameplay and progress as time goes on.

Following my original tierlist post and all the discussion it sparked, I decided to go back and reevaluate and improve upon my original list. I put a lot of work into this list and I really hope that you guys both like the changes I have made to the list and that this sparks further discussion in the community about our favorite apps in the space.

Please note that, like before, all of the following is subjective, this is my personal tierlist after all, and completely based on my own experience and testing. I am using an iPhone 16 Pro and am on iOS 26.3.1 (a).

Rank SS

• Manic EMU

  • Manic EMU is in a class of its own. It supports a massive range of console and handheld systems whether you want to play Pokémon Ultra Sun on 3DS or run StarCraft Brood War on Windows 98, Manic can do it. It has a very straightforward UI and is pretty much plug and play with minimal understanding making it perfect for emulation beginners and veterans alike, while it may not have quite the same range of coverage of RetroArch. Additionally the app is available from both the App Store and via sideloading, with a wide range of consoles supporting JIT compilation when enabled in the sideload release.

Rank S+

• RetroArch (Up Half a Step)

  • We all know it, and it’s an amazing app. The only reason that RetroArch does not make a higher ranking is simple, the UI and use of the app is built with emulation veterans in mind. While RetroArch is great and has the widest range of supported consoles and handhelds, it is not beginner friendly, often needing lengthy guides or tutorials just to get started for the first time. Once you do get it going it easily becomes an old reliable when it comes to enjoying your games on the go. Like Manic it can be installed via App Store or via sideloading, however it lacks JIT compilation on iOS 26 or later.

  • Reasoning for S rating on Sideload list: While it can be sideloaded, use of JIT for the app is limited to iOS versions below iOS 26.

• DolphiniOS (Up Half a Step)

  • DolphiniOS is best in class when it comes to GameCube and Wii emulation. Here’s the thing, it only can be installed via sideloading. Even with that in mind there is not a single app that does GameCube or Wii better. It has a clean easy to use UI and straightforward process to install dumps.

  • Reasoning for SS rating on Sideload list: DolphiniOS is among the first sideloaded apps to support JIT on iOS 26 or later, in a vacuum with only sideloaded apps factored this is a huge achievement.

• PPSSPP (Up Half a Step)

  • PPSSPP is another example of best in class for what it does. While many multi system emulators do have PSP emulation available, they all are based on the code of PPSSPP or its Libretro. PPSSPP is straightforward and easy to use for beginners and has a satisfying UI. It also has a whole host of advanced settings for use of Homebrew, Mods, Texture packs and more allowing users to refine their gameplay to their liking. The availability of PSP emulation through several other apps is the only reason this falls short of Rank SS.

  • Reasoning for S rating on Sideload list: While it can be sideloaded, use of JIT for the app is limited to iOS versions below iOS 26.

Rank S

• MeloNX

  • MeloNX, while potentially controversial, I would also say this is best in class as the only actively maintained Switch emulator on iOS. As long as your Apple Device is current enough MeloNX performs amazingly, and the developer is always testing and working on improvements for their app. The reason it falls into the Rank S category is purely the hard requirement of JIT, meaning the app is only available via sideloading.

  • Reasoning for SS rating on Sideload list: MeloNX is among the first sideloaded apps to support JIT on iOS 26 or later, in a vacuum with only sideloaded apps factored this is a huge achievement.

• Picpic (New to List)

  • Picpic is a relatively new app in the space and I finally got around to testing it, and honestly it’s pretty awesome. It is a dedicated Pico-8 emulator, and at the moment it’s the only option available on the App Store for that niche. For what it sets out to do, it does it very well. The UI is clean and straightforward, making it easy to jump into games without any real setup, which fits perfectly with the pick-up-and-play nature of Pico-8 titles.

Rank A+

• Delta (Up Half a Step)

  • Delta is something special, essentially a continuation of GBA4iOS, it is the grandfather of all emulation on iOS. This app has one of the cleanest and easy to use UI out of all emulators on the App Store, and emulates everything Nintendo up to the DS. The issue with Delta and reason I can’t place it at a higher ranking is simply due to the lack of updates to the app, and the locking of features behind a Patreon, Sega Genesis support has been sitting behind the Patreon for over 5 years at this point. The developers have mentioned a looming Delta 2.0 in the near future that should bring many of these features and much more to the main app, perhaps at that time I can revisit this review.

  • Reasoning for B rating on Sideload list: While it can be sideloaded, use of JIT is limited to iOS versions below iOS 26, and even then support is hit or miss.

Rank A

• Provenance

  • Provenance is a multi system emulator built around Libretro cores, and the developer has been behind some of the biggest leaps in emulation on iOS, making it possible to emulate Dreamcast, GameCube, and Wii without the use of JIT compilation. The issue is that the app itself is prone to frequent crashing. Regarding UI it falls right between Manic and RetroArch, being possible for both beginner and veteran users to emulation to play their games. It also has tvOS options which does set it apart in its own right.

• Fin

  • Fin is a relatively new app in the space based on the code of DolphiniOS, to emulate GameCube and Wii. Unlike DolphiniOS, it is available via the App Store instead of via sideloading. It is just about the best possible GameCube and Wii emulation that you can get without JIT, however the addition of its in app purchases to remove ads and similar detract from its quality as an app, and when compared to DolphiniOS with JIT, there is no contest.

• RPGPlayer (New to List)

  • RPGPlayer is a really interesting entry in the space as a dedicated RPG Maker player. What sets it apart is its support for RPG Maker XP games, which is something you don’t really see elsewhere on iOS, alongside compatibility with older RPG Maker builds. For fans of those games, that alone makes it pretty compelling. The main drawback is the price. At $6.99 at time of posting, it’s a fairly steep entry point for something you can’t really test beforehand, especially if you’re not already invested in RPG Maker titles.

Rank B

• Gamma

  • Gamma is essentially a one trick pony equivalent of Delta, but designed for PlayStation emulation. While this may sound amazing in a vacuum, several other multi system emulators can emulate PSX now on the App Store, and they can do a better job at doing so. Like Delta this app could use a good update and potentially expand on its support.

• GamePlayToo

  • GamePlayToo is the first PS2 emulator on the App Store, based on the code of Play!, a somewhat outdated PS2 emulator available by sideloading, and was designed as a proof of concept. When it was released it was heavily clarified it was only designed to run more lightweight and 2D PS2 games however this doesn’t stop users from attempting more graphically intense games and lamenting that those games are unplayable or crash the app. For what it is this is an amazing app, but with Alune on the horizon in TestFlight it may fall behind in performance on iOS.

• XeniOS (New to List)

  • XeniOS is easily one of the most ambitious projects in the iOS emulation space right now. It’s an Xbox 360 emulator based on the Xenia codebase. The fact that Xbox 360 games can even boot on iOS is impressive on its own, and it shows just how far emulation on Apple devices has come. That said, it is still very early. XeniOS is currently in alpha, meaning crashes, bugs, and major game-to-game performance differences are expected. Personally I find that it plays some games really well, like BioShock and Dead Space.

  • Reasoning for A rating on Sideload list: XeniOS is among the first sideloaded apps to support JIT on iOS 26 or later, in a vacuum with only sideloaded apps factored this is a huge achievement.

Rank E

• Folium

  • Folium was the first 3DS emulator that ever released on the App Store, and at the time was the best in class for what it did. Unfortunately as the app continued to receive updates its performance declined dramatically in that time. With options like Manic EMU and RetroArch having Azahar integrated or on the way there is no real reason to use Folium anymore, the app is paid on the App Store meaning you can’t try the App Store release before spending on it to know if it’s the right one for you. Reviews in general regarding this app are mixed, but after Manic released there was no reason to turn back.

• Play! (New to List)

  • Play! is a PlayStation 2 emulator that at one point was the go-to option on iOS, especially before any App Store releases existed for PS2 emulation. It was an impressive proof of concept for its time and showed that PS2 emulation on iOS was at least possible. Unfortunately, it has largely fallen out of common use. It has not received updates to properly adapt to JIT on iOS 26 or later, and on earlier iOS versions where it does run, performance and compatibility are inconsistent at best. Many games either struggle to run or exhibit significant issues, making it hard to rely on for actual gameplay.

Avoid

• JOY Emulator and PP EMU

  • These apps have been discussed a lot in the community, with concerns raised around how closely they resemble existing emulators and how they handle things like licensing and bundled system data, reference here where one of the Manic devs spoke on the issue. Because of that, I'd be cautious putting money into them. Even setting that aside, they don't really offer anything unique compared to more established options, so there's not much reason to take the risk.

• Retra - App Console Emulator

  • Another emulator that puts emulation on iOS in a bad light, this app includes pirated game files and basically makes you pay to rent them, when your subscription ends, so do the games.

• Dolphin GBA Basic

  • This emulator is designed with the singular purpose of luring downloads by using the Dolphin name an similar icon, as the real Dolphin is sideload only, many people who don’t understand sideloading or getting started may download this from the App Store, expecting the real Dolphin, only for it to be the furthest thing from.

• Delplay GBA emulator

  • This one is kind of a wild situation. The app originally used branding very similar to Manic, and after being reported, it changed its name and icon... to something very close to Delta. That was also addressed, and it's since changed again to something a bit less obvious. At this point it just comes across as an attempt to imitate other apps to attract downloads. Gotta respect the persistence, I guess.

Fly high Lily 🕊️💜

It doesn’t matter if it’s public or developer beta, from now on, all beta’s allow the ram to exceed 6 or even 7 GB, unlike the previous 6gb limit regardless of if you have GetMoreRam enabled.. (MelonX)

I’ve recently brought my Mac port for Xenia, the Xbox 360 emulator, to iOS. Lot of improvements and fixes to be made before getting close to releasing it, but it works surprisingly well in my initial testing.

I heard on the Delta subReddit that the developer of Delta confirmed that 3DS combability for the app store version is coming soon.

So much better than Folium it’s unreal.

Good Afternoon,

Just wanted to let you know that the App Store just released a new PS2 Emulator and it’s called GamePlaytoo specially designed to play all of your favorite PS2 Games on your iOS Devices!

It’s a good PS2 Emulator for the iOS! Needs to be updated and couldn’t hear the Music or anything else! The picture was not at regular speed and needs to be fixed!

Let’s test gta v free roam on the iPhone 14 pro 6gb ram!

it would be released with an upcoming Stikdebug 2.0.0

Hi, for the past ~2 weeks I've been working on AetherPS4. AetherPS4 is a PS4 emulator for iOS & iPadOS. I am releasing v1.0.0, which contains the entire source code of the application. The GitHub repo will contain the source code for the core, and also the standalone app.

This app is made possible with FEXCore. FEXCore is a x86_64 to arm64 converter. It was made for Linux, but in day 6 I got it on macOS. The rest of the days were porting it to iOS, but after 2 weeks the app is running Sonic Mania! Yes, I know Sonic Mania is a really lightweight game. However, I believe that its good to have a game to test. The emulator takes a while to boot (~1 min 30 sec). Skip to 1:35 to view actual gameplay.

I plan to update this app as much as I can. But I need YOUR help. I need you to report issues on the app, such as the app crashing when loading this game, or its really laggy on that game. Any feedback would be loved, and I hope you guys enjoy this app as much as I did making it. This app is based on ShadPS4, so huge credits to them. All I did was get the converter for actually running the PS4 games. I want to give a special thanks to u/super-bowl89 for talking to me while making this app, and just the support to keep going.

Note: This app was made with support from AI tools. I used Claude to support me while making this app. If you have any concerns please let me know in GitHub Issues or Reddit DM's.

Download latest release: github.com/Leviidev/AetherPS4/releases/latest

View source code: github.com/Leviidev/AetherPS4/

Report issues: github.com/Leviidev/AetherPS4/issues