DolphiniOS: Play GameCube and Wii Games on iPhone (2026)

ByScarlet iOS Team Updated on

DolphiniOS is the iPhone and iPad port of Dolphin, the well-known GameCube and Wii emulator. It runs on iOS 14 and later without a jailbreak, but it is not on the App Store, and it needs JIT to play at full speed. In 2026 the project’s beta builds added JIT support for iOS 26 and iOS 27, which makes it usable again on new iPhones. This guide covers which version to install, how to install it with SideStore, how to enable JIT and how to add your games. Facts are from the DolphiniOS website and GitHub page. Last checked: October 27, 2026.

The Short Version

  • DolphiniOS is a GameCube and Wii emulator for iOS and iPadOS, made by OatmealDome. The website says it is not affiliated with the Dolphin Project or Nintendo.
  • It supports iOS 14.0 and later on devices with an A9 chip or newer (iPhone 6s and later). 4 GB of RAM or more, such as an iPhone 11, gives the best performance.
  • Use the beta: the site says “the latest stable version is very out of date” (3.2.1, September 2022). Beta 5.0.0b6 (June 16, 2026) supports JIT on iOS 26.6 and iOS 27 on non-jailbroken devices, per the DolphiniOS site (the build was released for the iOS 27 beta).
  • Install it with SideStore or AltStore Classic. The site says “AltStore PAL is NOT compatible with DolphiniOS”.
  • You need JIT: “Without JIT, Dolphin will run at unplayably slow frame rates.” DolphiniOS points to StikDebug for this.

Why It Is Not on the App Store

The DolphiniOS FAQ says: “Apple is preventing us from using JIT, which is necessary to provide good performance.” App Store apps cannot use JIT, and GameCube and Wii emulation is too demanding to run well without it. So unlike Delta or PPSSPP, which are on the App Store, DolphiniOS has to be sideloaded with a tool that uses a development certificate.

Which Devices Work

Device Status
A8 / A8X or older Not supported
A9 or newer, under 4 GB RAM Works, slower
4 GB RAM or more (e.g. iPhone 11) Best performance

Supported devices include the iPhone 6s and newer, iPhone SE (1st generation) and newer, iPad (5th generation) and newer, iPad Pro (1st generation) and newer, and iPod touch (7th generation). Older chips “cannot run DolphiniOS because of missing GPU features”.

How to Install DolphiniOS

Step 1: Set up SideStore

DolphiniOS recommends SideStore, with AltStore Classic as the alternative. See our SideStore setup guide. Certificate-based installers such as Scarlet iOS sign with a shared certificate, not a development certificate, so they cannot give DolphiniOS JIT.

Step 2: Add the source and install the beta

  1. Open SideStore (or AltStore Classic) and go to the Browse tab.
  2. Tap Sources in the top right corner.
  3. Tap Add next to OatmealDome’s AltStore Source, then Add Source, then Done.
  4. Scroll to DolphiniOS (Public Beta) and tap Free. It starts installing.

If you use another installer, the DolphiniOS beta page also offers the IPA file. The site warns that beta builds “may not be tested as thoroughly as stable builds”, so expect some bugs.

Step 3: Enable JIT

DolphiniOS’s JIT help page says StikDebug “allows you to enable JIT on DolphiniOS”, and asks for StikDebug version 2.3.0 or newer. StikDebug’s own page now says it is no longer on the App Store and is installed from its source or GitHub instead. Our StikDebug guide covers the pairing file and LocalDevVPN setup. Then open StikDebug, tap Enable JIT and choose DolphiniOS.

If you cannot enable JIT, the beta has a Use No JIT Mode button to skip the “waiting for JIT” screen, but games will run far too slowly to play.

Adding Your Games

In DolphiniOS, tap the + button in the top right and pick your game files from the Files app. DolphiniOS “can play your legally obtained GameCube and Wii games”: make backups of discs you own. Downloading games you do not own is piracy in most countries.

Performance Tips

  • Check JIT first. Without it, nothing will run at full speed.
  • Use an iPhone with 4 GB of RAM or more; DolphiniOS says those devices “can take advantage of a performance boost”.
  • If performance drops on the older stable version, the site suggests turning off Settings > Config > General > Enable Dual Core.
  • Keep Low Power Mode off and let the iPhone cool down between long sessions.

FAQ

Is DolphiniOS free?

Yes. It installs for free from OatmealDome’s source.

Does DolphiniOS work on iOS 26 and iOS 27?

Yes, per the DolphiniOS site: the beta 5.0.0b6 (June 2026) supports JIT on iOS 26.6 and iOS 27. It was released for the iOS 27 beta, so check the DolphiniOS beta page for a newer build if something does not work on the current iOS 27. Use the beta, not the old stable 3.2.1.

Can I install DolphiniOS with Scarlet iOS?

It needs JIT, which requires a development certificate, so use SideStore or AltStore Classic for it.

Does it work with AltStore PAL?

No. The site says AltStore PAL is not compatible with DolphiniOS.

Do I need a jailbreak?

No. DolphiniOS says a jailbreak is not required.

For other systems, see the best emulators for iPhone, our N64 emulator guide and PPSSPP for PSP games.

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