Do you want to play popular Nintendo, PlayStation, Sega and more classic console games on your iPhone or iPad for free? Then Download RetroArch iOS iPA – a powerful Multi-Console Emulator app for iOS 26.3 / 18 / 17 / 16 / 15 / 14 / 13 / 12 on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, No jailbreak / Computer PC required.
RetroArch iPA – is the ultimate all-in-one gaming emulator that brings dozens of classic gaming consoles to your iOS device. This powerful multi-platform emulator was developed by the Libretro team and supports over 15 different gaming systems including Game Boy, Nintendo DS, PlayStation, SNES, Sega Genesis, N64, PSP and many more within a single app.
Unlike other emulators that focus on just one console, RetroArch uses special software modules called “cores” to emulate different gaming systems. Each core represents a specific console emulator, which means you can switch between playing Game Boy Advance games and PlayStation classics without changing apps. The emulator runs legally owned ROM files that you transfer to your device.
What makes RetroArch special is that it’s now officially available on the Apple App Store since May 2024, making it the first legitimate multi-console emulator for modern iPhones and iPads. You don’t need to jailbreak your device or use complicated sideloading methods anymore.
RetroArch Download is now super easy process because Apple officially approved this emulator app on their App store. You can directly download and install the app from Official Apple App Store or you can use third-party stores for sideloading with additional cores support.
The App Store version is best choice for beginners because installation is simple and you don’t need worry about app expiring. However, sideload builds offers additional cores and JIT support that speeds up some games like PSP titles. Most people should start with App Store version first.
Step.1) First, Open the App Store on your iPhone or iPad device.
Step.2) Next, Tap on the Search tab at the bottom and type “RetroArch” in the search box.
Step.3) Now you will see RetroArch app with the Libretro logo. Tap on the GET button to download.
Step.4) After that, Wait for the app to download and install automatically on your device.
Step.5) Once installed, Open the RetroArch app from your home screen.
Step.6) When you first launch RetroArch, let it complete the initial setup and file structure creation.
Step.7) Finally, You’re ready to configure RetroArch and start adding your favorite retro games.
Before you can play games, you need to download the emulator cores for the gaming systems you want to use. Cores are the individual emulators that run inside RetroArch.
Step.1) Open RetroArch on your iPhone or iPad.
Step.2) Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom of the screen.
Step.3) Navigate to Load Core option from the main menu.
Step.4) Now select Download a Core from the list.
Step.5) You’ll see a long list of available cores for different consoles. Download the cores you need:
mGBA for Game Boy Advance games.
Snes9x for Super Nintendo games.
PCSX ReARMed for PlayStation 1 games.
MelonDS or DeSmuME for Nintendo DS games.
Mupen64Plus for Nintendo 64 games.
Genesis Plus GX for Sega Genesis games.
Step.6) Tap on any core name to download it. Wait for the download to complete.
Step.7) Repeat this process for all gaming systems you want to emulate.
RetroArch doesn’t come with any games included. You need to add your legally owned ROM files to the app. Here’s how to transfer and organize your game files.
Step.1) First, Download the Files app from App Store if you don’t have it (it comes pre-installed on latest iOS versions).
Step.2) Open Files app and tap on On My iPhone or On My iPad.
Step.3) Find and tap the RetroArch folder.
Step.4) Tap the RetroArch folder again to enter the main directory.
Step.5) Now create a new folder called ROMs by tapping the folder icon with a plus sign.
Step.6) Inside the ROMs folder, you can create subfolders for different consoles like GBA, NDS, PS1, N64 etc.
Step.7) Transfer your game ROM files into these folders. You can download ROMs on your device or transfer them from your computer using the Files app.
After adding ROM files, you need to scan them so RetroArch can organize your game library with box art and proper names.
Step.1) Open RetroArch on your device.
Step.2) Tap the Playlist icon (middle button) at the bottom toolbar.
Step.3) Select Import Content from the menu.
Step.4) Now tap Scan Directory option.
Step.5) Navigate to your ROMs folder using the built-in file browser.
Step.6) Once inside your ROMs folder, tap <Scan This Directory> at the top.
Step.7) Wait for RetroArch to scan all your games. This may take a few minutes depending on how many ROMs you have.
Step.8) After scanning completes, go back to the main menu using the arrow in the top left.
Step.9) You’ll now see separate playlists for each console like Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation etc.
Some gaming systems like PlayStation 1 require BIOS files to work properly. Here’s how to add them to RetroArch.
Step.1) First, Obtain the required BIOS files for the systems you want to emulate (search for “PSX BIOS” for PlayStation files).
Step.2) Open the Files app on your iPhone or iPad.
Step.3) Navigate to On My iPhone or On My iPad.
Step.4) Go to RetroArch folder, then tap RetroArch again.
Step.5) Scroll down and find the system folder.
Step.6) Copy or move your BIOS files into this system folder.
Step.7) Make sure the BIOS files have the correct names (like scph1001.bin for PS1).
Step.8) Now you can play PlayStation games and other systems that require BIOS files.
Step.1) Open RetroArch and tap the Playlist button at the bottom.
Step.2) Select the console you want to play from (like Game Boy Advance or Nintendo 64).
Step.3) Tap on any game from your library to start playing.
Step.4) If it’s your first time loading a game, RetroArch may ask you to select which core to use.
Step.5) Choose the recommended core for that system and tap to load.
Step.6) The game will start with on-screen touch controls.
Step.7) You can connect external controllers like Backbone One, 8BitDo, or any MFi certified gamepad for better controls.
RetroArch supports external Bluetooth and USB-C game controllers for the best gaming experience. Here are the most popular options:
Backbone One – Clips directly to your iPhone with USB-C or Lightning connector
8BitDo SN30 Pro – Classic SNES-style wireless controller
GameSir X2s – Mobile gaming controller with pass-through charging
EasySMX M10 – Affordable wireless option with good battery life
Any MFi certified controller – Works automatically with iOS devices
Controllers connect automatically and RetroArch detects them right away. You can customize button mapping in the settings menu.
Is RetroArch legal to use on iPhone?
Yes, RetroArch is completely legal and officially available on the Apple App Store. However, you must only use ROM files from games you legally own.
Does RetroArch work on latest iOS versions?
Yes, RetroArch works on iOS 18, iOS 17, iOS 16, iOS 15, and iOS 14 on modern iPhones and iPads.
Do I need to jailbreak my iPhone to use RetroArch?
No, RetroArch is an official App Store app, so no jailbreak or sideloading is needed.
Which consoles does RetroArch support?
RetroArch supports Game Boy, GBA, GBC, Nintendo DS, N64, NES, SNES, PlayStation 1, PSP, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, arcade games and more.
Why won’t my PlayStation games work?
PlayStation games require BIOS files in the system folder. Make sure you’ve added the correct PSX BIOS files.
Can I use save states in RetroArch iPA?
Yes, RetroArch supports save states for all emulated games, letting you save and load at any point.
Thanks’ for visiting GBA Emulator iOS
| Type | Version | |
|---|---|---|
| iPA | 1.22.2 |
