BEST GBA EMULATORS FOR IOS
App Information
About This App
Do you want to play your favorite childhood Game Boy Advance games like Pokemon Emerald, FireRed, Super Mario, Zelda: The Minish Cap and more games on your iPhone or iPad with advanced features and graphics? Then Download Best GBA Emulators for iOS – The Top rated GAMEBOY ADVANCE CONSOLE Emulators for iOS iPhone/iPadOS devices allows you to play all classic Nintendo GBA games without any issues.
GBA Emulators for iOS:
GBA Emulator is a powerful application that works like translator for your iPhone or iPad Device. It pretends to be a real Game Boy Advance console and lets you play all original GBA games using ROM files on your iOS Device. With a good GBA emulator app, you can save your game progress anytime, use cheat codes, fast forward boring parts and connect Bluetooth game controllers for better gaming experience.
Since Apple’s big policy change in April 2024, emulators are now officially allowed on App Store. By 2026, playing retro games on iPhone became very easy and safe method. You don’t need any complicated tricks or worry about app getting removed from your device. Currently, This is the best time to enjoy classic GBA games on your iPhone or iPad with rich graphics and high-speed emulation.
The best part is you can sync your game saves across multiple devices using iCloud, Dropbox or Google Drive storage. That means you can start playing Pokemon game on your iPhone and continue same game on iPad without losing progress. Most of these emulators support all iOS versions from iOS 14 to latest iOS 19 with perfect compatibility.
Is Using GBA Emulators Legal in 2026
Yes, using GBA Emulators is completely legal and Apple officially allows them on App Store. However, downloading ROM files from internet is not legal unless you own the original game cartridge. The simple rule is you can use emulator apps freely but you should dump ROM files from games that you already purchased and own.
Remember, sharing copyrighted game files with others or downloading BIOS files that you don’t own is against the law. So always get ROM files from legal sources only. Many websites offer ROM downloads but most of them provide pirated content. The best way is creating ROM files from your own game cartridges using special dumping tools.
Best GBA Emulators for iPhone & iPad in 2026
1.Delta Emulator – #1 Choice for GBA Games
Delta iOS Emulator is the most popular and best GBA emulator for iOS devices in 2026. This app was created and developed by famous iOS developer Riley Testut. The Same Developer of Popular GBA4iOS, NDS4iOS and SNES4iOS emulator apps. Delta has clean interface design that makes it perfect choice for beginners and school students.
The best thing about Delta is it supports multiple Nintendo console systems within single app. That means you don’t need separate apps for different consoles. Just install Delta and play games from GBA, GBC, NES, SNES, N64 and Nintendo DS consoles easily.
Delta Emulator Features:
Supports Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, NES, SNES, N64 and Nintendo DS consoles.
Available directly on Apple App Store for easy download.
Also available on AltStore for more installation options.
Auto save state support for all games.
Cheat codes support for popular games.
Fast forward option to skip boring parts.
Dropbox, iCloud and Google Drive sync support.
External game controller support like Backbone, PS5, Xbox controllers.
Clean UI design that looks beautiful.
Performs very fast on all iOS devices.
BIOS files not required for GBA games.
Regular updates with new features and bug fixes.
Completely free to use, No hidden charges.
Install Delta Emulator on iPhone from Apple App store
Step.1) First of all, Launch the App Store application on your iPhone or iPad Device.
Step.2) Now Tap on Search icon at bottom of screen and search for Delta Game Emulator in search box.
Step.3) After that, Tap on Get button next to Delta app icon to start download process.
Step.4) Wait few minutes and Delta will be installed on your iPhone home screen automatically.
Step.5) Finally, Launch the Delta Emulator app and start adding your favorite GBA game ROM files to play for free.
2.iGBA: GBA & GBC Retro Emulator – Official App Store Release
iGBA Emulator is newest addition to App Store that focuses on Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Color emulation. This app was released on App Store in 2024 and quickly became popular among retro gaming fans. iGBA brings classic GBA gaming experience with modern iOS features and smooth performance.
The best part of iGBA is it comes with built-in ROM browser that helps you organize your game collection easily. You can create custom folders, sort games by name or recently played and quickly find your favorite titles without any confusion.
iGBA Emulator Features:
Focuses on Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Color games only.
Available directly on Apple App Store for free download.
Built-in ROM browser with folder organization.
Save states support with multiple slots.
Fast forward mode to speed up gameplay.
On-screen controller with customizable buttons.
External controller support via Bluetooth.
Portrait and landscape mode support.
Game search feature in library.
Recent games quick access.
Cheat codes support for popular games.
iCloud sync for game saves backup.
Clean and simple interface design.
Regular updates with performance improvements.
Download & Install iGBA Emulator on iPhone/iPad
Step.1) At first, Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad Device.
Step.2) Like wise, Search for iGBA in App Store search box.
Step.3) Now Tap on Get button to download and install iGBA emulator on your device.
Step.4) After installation completed, Launch the app and grant necessary permissions.
Step.5) Finally, Add your GBA and GBC ROM files and start playing classic games on iPhone for free.
3.Manic EMU – Lightweight GBA Emulator
Manic EMU is a lightweight Game Boy Advance emulator that focuses on simplicity and performance. This app is perfect for users who want basic emulation without complicated settings or extra features. Manic EMU works smoothly even on older iPhone models with low specifications.
The emulator uses minimal battery power compared to other heavy emulators. You can play Pokemon games for hours without draining your iPhone battery quickly. This makes Manic EMU ideal choice for long gaming sessions during travel or commute.
Manic EMU Features:
Lightweight app with small file size.
Focuses only on GBA game emulation.
Low battery consumption during gameplay.
Fast loading times for ROM files.
Save state support with quick save/load.
Simple on-screen controls.
Controller support for better gaming.
Works smoothly on older iPhone models.
No complicated settings or menus.
Regular bug fixes and updates.
Free to download and use.
4.Lucky Emulator – Multi-System Support
Lucky Emulator is a versatile multi-system emulator that supports Game Boy Advance along with several other retro gaming consoles. This app brings wide compatibility and advanced features for serious retro gaming enthusiasts who want to play games from different platforms.
The emulator includes advanced graphics filters and shaders that enhance old games visuals. You can apply CRT filter to get authentic retro gaming feel or use smoothing filters for cleaner graphics. Lucky Emulator also supports custom controller skins that you can download from community.
Lucky Emulator Features:
Supports GBA, GBC, NES, SNES and Game Gear consoles.
Advanced graphics filters and shaders.
Custom controller skins support.
Multiple save state slots per game.
Fast forward and slow motion modes.
Screenshot capture feature.
External controller full support.
Cloud backup for game saves.
Cheat database with popular codes.
Game search and sorting options.
Regular updates with new features.
Community-driven development.
5.Gamuroid – Android Port for iOS
Gamuroid started as popular Android emulator and now available for iOS devices through sideloading method. This emulator brings powerful features and excellent compatibility with wide range of GBA games. Gamuroid is known for its accurate emulation that reproduces original GBA hardware behavior perfectly.
The app includes turbo buttons feature that lets you press buttons automatically at high speed. This is very useful for games that require button mashing or repetitive actions. Gamuroid also supports network play that allows you to trade Pokemon with friends over internet connection.
Gamuroid Features:
Highly accurate GBA emulation engine.
Turbo buttons for automatic button pressing.
Network play support for trading Pokemon.
Multiple save state slots available.
Fast forward up to 16x speed.
Custom controller layouts.
External controller support.
Load state from file option.
Cheat codes database included.
Screenshot and screen recording.
Game compatibility reports.
Active community support.
Install Gamuroid on iOS devices Using AltStore
Step.1) First, you need to Download and Install AltStore on your iPhone or iPad Device. Visit altstore.io website and follow installation guide.
Step.2) After AltStore installed successfully, Download Gamuroid iPA file from trusted sources.
Step.3) Now Launch AltStore app on your device and tap on Plus (+) icon.
Step.4) Select the downloaded Gamuroid iPA file from your device storage.
Step.5) Wait for sideloading process to complete successfully.
Step.6) If you see “Untrusted Enterprise Developer” error, then follow below steps to fix it.
Go to Settings >>> then Navigate to General >>> Now go to VPN & Device Management or Profile & Device Management section >>> Find your Apple ID profile and Tap on it >>> After that Tap on TRUST from Pop-up Message.
Step.7) Finally, Launch Gamuroid emulator and add your GBA game ROMs to start playing for free.
6.RetroArch – Most Powerful GBA Emulator
RetroArch iOS – The most powerful emulator app for iOS that supports almost every gaming console ever made. This is perfect choice for advanced users who want maximum control over emulation settings and customization options. However, this app is not recommended for beginners because it has complicated interface with too many settings.
The best part of RetroArch iOS is it includes multiple GBA cores like mGBA and VBA-M. That means you can choose which emulation engine works best for your games. Additionally, it offers shader filters to make old games look better with smooth graphics effects.
RetroArch Emulator Features:
Supports almost every gaming console including GBA, GBC, NES, SNES, PS1, PSP, N64, DS and more.
Multiple GBA emulation cores for best compatibility.
Shader filters to improve graphics quality.
Netplay support to play games with friends online.
Advanced cheat engine with many options.
Controller remapping for custom button layouts.
Save states and fast forward support.
Available on App Store since May 2024.
Also available through AltStore and TrollStore.
BIOS files optional but recommended for accuracy.
Regular updates with new cores and features.
Completely free and open-source project.
Download RetroArch Liberto Emulator on iPhone
Step.1) At first, Open the App Store on your non-jailbreak iPhone or iPad Device.
Step.2) Like wise, Search for RetroArch in App Store search box.
Step.3) Now Tap on Download button to install RetroArch app on your device.
Step.4) After installation completed, Launch the app and download mGBA core from Core Downloader section.
Step.5) Go to Settings >>> Navigate to User Interface >>> Now change menu driver to XMB or Ozone for better interface.
Step.6) Finally, Load your GBA ROM files and start playing classic games on iPhone for free.
7.GBA4iOS Neo – Pure GBA Experience
GBA4iOS Neo is updated version of classic GBA4iOS emulator that focuses only on Game Boy Advance games. This app keeps things simple and lightweight without adding support for other consoles. If you only care about playing GBA games, then this is perfect choice for you.
The main advantage of GBA4iOS Neo is it uses very less battery compared to other emulators. Also, it has clean interface that looks similar to original GBA4iOS app that many people loved. However, this app is only available through AltStore method, not on official App Store.
GBA4iOS Neo Features:
Focuses only on Game Boy Advance games for simplicity.
Extremely lightweight app with small file size.
Great battery life during gaming sessions.
Save states support for all games.
Dropbox sync to backup game saves.
Cheat codes support for popular GBA games.
Clean UI design with classic feel.
Fast emulation speed on all devices.
BIOS files not required.
No additional consoles or features to confuse you.
Eclipse Emulator – No Installation Required
EclipseWeb-Emulator – is unique web-based GBA emulator that runs directly in Safari browser without any installation. This is perfect choice for casual gaming when you don’t want to install apps on your device. Just visit Eclipse website, add ROM files and start playing immediately.
The best thing about Eclipse Emulator is you never worry about app getting revoked or removed from device. Because it works through web browser, so Apple cannot block it. However, you need internet connection to load the emulator first time. After that, you can play offline using local ROM files.
Eclipse Emulator Features:
Works directly in Safari browser without installation.
No app installation or profile trust required.
Supports GBA, GBC, NES, SNES and more consoles.
Cloud saves to resume games later.
Google Drive integration to load ROM files.
Add to Home Screen option for quick access.
Never worry about app revokes.
Perfect for quick gaming sessions.
Limited controller support compared to apps.
Needs internet for first time loading.
Provenance Emulator – Multi-Console Support
Provenance iOS – is another powerful multi-console emulator that supports wide range of gaming systems including GBA, GBC, Sega Genesis, Game Gear, Famicom and more consoles. This app was designed specifically for iOS and tvOS devices with focus on performance and accuracy.
The main feature of Provenance Emulator is customizable on-screen controllers. You can change controller size, opacity and position according to your preference. Additionally, it supports both portrait and landscape mode for comfortable gaming experience.
Provenance Emulator Features:
Supports GBA, GBC, Sega Genesis, Game Gear, Famicom, PSX and more systems.
Customizable on-screen controller size and opacity.
Portrait and landscape mode support.
Auto save feature for all games.
Cloud storage backup support.
Controller support with full customization.
Shows FPS counter for performance monitoring.
CRT filters for retro gaming feel.
No jailbreak required for installation.
User-friendly interface design.
Latest Updates in GBA Emulation
Compared to 2025, here are some big improvements that came in 2026 for iOS emulation apps:
Full stability support on iOS 18 and iOS 19 versions.
Better performance on new A17, A18, M3 and M4 processor chips.
Improved Bluetooth controller connection with less lag.
App Store emulators getting regular updates with bug fixes.
AltStore PAL expanding to more countries worldwide.
Cloud sync feature works more reliable than before.
Support for iPhone 12 to iPhone 16 Pro Max models.
Perfect compatibility with iPad Air, iPad Pro (M1 to M4) devices.
Works great on latest iPad Mini generation too.
How to Add GBA Game ROMs to Emulators
Once you installed your favorite GBA Emulator on iPhone, now you need to add game ROM files to start playing. There are two simple methods to add ROM files to emulator apps. Both methods works perfectly, so choose any method that you prefer.
Download your favorite GBA game ROM file on your computer PC or Mac.
Now connect your iPhone or iPad to computer using USB cable.
Open iTunes application on computer and select your connected device.
Click on File Sharing option from sidebar menu.
Select your emulator app from list of apps.
Drag and drop ROM files into documents folder of emulator.
Disconnect iPhone and launch emulator app to see imported games.
Frequently Asked Questions About GBA Emulators
Q: Do I need jailbreak to install GBA emulators?
No, you don’t need jailbreak to install GBA Emulators on iPhone. Since Apple’s policy change in April 2024, emulators are officially allowed on App Store. You can download them directly like normal apps.
Q: Are GBA emulators safe to use on iPhone?
Yes, GBA Emulators from App Store and trusted sources like AltStore are completely safe. They don’t contain any malware or virus that can harm your device or void warranty.
Q: Which is best GBA emulator for iPhone in 2026?
Delta Emulator is the best choice for most users because it has clean interface, supports multiple consoles and available on App Store. For pure GBA gaming, iGBA or GBA4iOS Neo are excellent options. Advanced users should try RetroArch for maximum features.
Q: Can I use game controllers with GBA emulators?
Yes, all major GBA Emulators support Bluetooth game controllers like Backbone, PS5 DualSense, Xbox controllers and 8BitDo controllers. Just connect controller via Bluetooth settings and start playing.
Q: Does GBA emulator work on iOS 19?
Yes, all popular GBA Emulators fully support iOS 19 and iOS 18 versions. They receive regular updates to maintain compatibility with latest iOS versions.
Q: Where can I get GBA game ROM files legally?
You can create ROM files from game cartridges that you own using special dumping hardware. Downloading ROM files from internet is illegal unless you own original game cartridge.
Q: Do I need BIOS files for GBA emulation?
No, BIOS files are not required for most GBA Emulators like Delta, iGBA and GBA4iOS Neo. However, RetroArch recommends using BIOS files for better accuracy and compatibility.
Q: Can I save game progress in GBA emulators?
Yes, all GBA Emulators support save states feature. You can save your game progress anytime and resume from same point later. Additionally, they support in-game saves like original GBA console.
Q: Which emulator is best for Pokemon games?
Delta Emulator and iGBA are perfect for Pokemon games because they support save states, cheat codes and have excellent compatibility with all Pokemon titles. Gamuroid is also great choice if you want network play for trading Pokemon.
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