Apple Approves First PC Emulator UTM SE For iOS Devices

Apple has recently approved the app UTM SE which allows users to emulate a computer and run classic games and software. The first PC emulator on Apple devices is now available for download—for free—in the App Store and can be used on iOS, iPadOS, and also visionOS.

According to The Verge, Apple had previously rejected UTM SE because it wasn’t focused on retro games and violated the company’s guidelines, as the app lets users run systems similar to Windows, and it wasn’t self-contained as it required a just-in-time (JIT) compilation method.

Now, UTM SE developer with the help of the open-source project AltStore team, and another developer who helped build the JIT-less version, could resubmit a new compliant version.

“We are happy to announce that UTM SE is available (for free) on iOS and visionOS App Store (and coming soon to AltStore PAL)!” said the organization through its official X account. “Shoutouts to AltStore team for their help and to Apple for reconsidering their policy.”

We are happy to announce that UTM SE is available (for free) on iOS and visionOS App Store (and coming soon to AltStore PAL)!

Shoutouts to AltStore team for their help and to Apple for reconsidering their policy.https://t.co/HAV5JnT5GO

— UTM (@UTMapp) July 13, 2024

Users can now find the app on the App Store, described as “a PC emulator that allows you to run classic software and old-school games.” It can emulate x86, PPC, and RISC-V architectures, and supports “VGA mode for graphics and terminal mode for text-only operating systems.”

Multiple users on Reddit have shared their thoughts and concerns. “Windows on iPadOS before macOS. What a world we live in,” said one user. Another Redditor asked about running Windows on Mac and got a reply from another commenter saying that it is possible “but the performance is subpar because of missing JIT support for App Store apps. Hopefully, Apple will allow it some time in the future.” As confirmed by 9to5Mac, without the JIT compiler performance might not be as powerful and fast.

Multiple companies like Nintendo are betting on users’ nostalgia and have launched applications and games for users to enjoy a time travel experience using modern and day-to-day devices.