GameCube & Wii · iOS

DolphiniOS Emulator Guide

Full GameCube and Wii emulation on iPhone and iPad, ported from the desktop Dolphin project.

GameCube & WiiCategory
Free*Cost (see FAQ)
EmulatorType
Overview

What is DolphiniOS?

DolphiniOS brings GameCube and Wii emulation to iPhone and iPad, based on the well-known Dolphin emulator project that's long been the standard for GameCube/Wii emulation on desktop. Running two full console generations on a phone is demanding, so DolphiniOS is more hardware-sensitive than simpler 8-bit or 16-bit emulators — newer, more powerful iPhones and iPads give noticeably better results.

It's installed through sideloading rather than the App Store, consistent with other advanced console emulators on iOS. Expect to spend some time in its settings tuning resolution and graphics backend options to balance visual quality against a stable frame rate on your specific device.

Features

DolphiniOS Features

No Jailbreak Required on DolphiniOS

No Jailbreak Required

DolphiniOS installs on a standard, non-jailbroken iPhone or iPad through sideloading.

Save States on DolphiniOS

Save States

Save your progress at almost any point and pick up exactly where you left off.

Controller Support on DolphiniOS

Controller Support

Connect a Bluetooth MFi controller alongside the on-screen touch controls.

Regular Re-Signing on DolphiniOS

Regular Re-Signing

Free Apple ID signatures need re-signing roughly every week — a normal part of sideloaded apps, not specific to DolphiniOS.

Walkthrough

How to Install DolphiniOS

1

Install a sideloading tool

Set up AltStore or Sideloadly on a Mac or PC, or use an EU alternative marketplace directly on-device where available.

2

Download the app file

Get the .ipa for DolphiniOS from its official or trusted source.

3

Sign in with your Apple ID

Your sideloading tool uses your Apple ID to generate the signing certificate the app needs.

4

Install to your device

Connect your iPhone or iPad and let the tool push the signed app over.

5

Trust the developer profile

Go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management, then trust the profile before opening DolphiniOS.

Related

See Also

GC4iOS IOS

A GameCube-focused alternative for iOS.

View Guide

iOS Setup Guide IOS

General iOS emulator setup, sideloading included.

View Guide
Support

DolphiniOS FAQ

Performance varies by game and device — some titles run smoothly, others need lower settings, since GameCube/Wii emulation is demanding even on desktop hardware.

Newer, more powerful iPhones and iPads handle DolphiniOS noticeably better than older models — there's no strict minimum, but expect to tune settings on less powerful devices.

Yes. DolphiniOS is built on the same well-known Dolphin project used for GameCube/Wii emulation on desktop.

Yes. DolphiniOS is an emulator only — you'll need your own legally owned or backed-up GameCube/Wii game files.

Ready to Try DolphiniOS?

Follow the steps above and you'll be set up in a few minutes.

Get DolphiniOS