Since April 2024, Apple allows retro game emulators on the App Store worldwide. That means you can play classic games on your iPhone or iPad without jailbreaking or sideloading. Here are the best ones and what each plays.
Quick list
| Emulator | Plays | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Delta | NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy, GBC, GBA, Nintendo DS, Genesis | Free |
| PPSSPP | PSP | Free + Gold |
| RetroArch | Dozens of consoles via cores (incl. PS1) | Free |
| Gamma | PS1 | Free (ads) / paid |
| UTM SE | Old PCs (Windows 95/XP era, DOS) | Free |
Our picks
Delta
Nintendo & Sega · Free
The best place to start. Clean design, controller support, skins, save states and cheats, covering everything from NES to Nintendo DS.
PPSSPP
PSP · Free + Gold
The official PPSSPP from its creator. Most PSP games run at full speed on recent iPhones.
RetroArch
Multi-system · Free
The all-in-one app with many cores. Best for PS1 and arcade, or if you want one app for everything. More setup than Delta.
Gamma
PS1 · Free
A simple PS1 emulator with controller support. The free version shows ads.
App Store apps can’t use JIT, the technique that makes heavy emulators fast. Older consoles (NES to PSP) run great anyway. Heavier systems like PS2, GameCube or 3DS are much harder on iPhone than on Android. For PS2, read our ARMSX2 guide for Android and iPhone.
How to add games on iPhone
- Save your game files to the Files app (download in Safari, AirDrop, or iCloud Drive).
- Unzip them if needed by tapping the zip in Files.
- In the emulator, tap + or Import and pick the file, or move it into the emulator’s folder under On My iPhone.
Use a controller
All of these support PS5, PS4, Xbox and MFi controllers. Pair them in Settings → Bluetooth. Our guide to connecting a PS5, PS4 or Xbox controller shows the buttons to hold.
Some App Store apps copy the names of real emulators. Check the developer name and reviews before downloading, and avoid apps that ask for a subscription to “unlock” games.
Also on Android? See the best emulators for Android.
FAQ
Can you get emulators on the iPhone App Store?
Yes. Since 2024 Apple allows retro game emulators like Delta, PPSSPP, RetroArch and Gamma on the App Store, with no jailbreak needed.
What is the best emulator for iPhone?
Delta is the best overall for Nintendo consoles up to the DS. For PSP use PPSSPP, and for PS1 use RetroArch or Gamma.
Can iPhone play PS2 games?
It is possible with some emulators, but because App Store apps cannot use JIT, PS2 games run much slower than on Android. Expect only light games to be playable.
Join the conversation