PS1 Emulators for iPhone in 2026: Gamma and Other Options
You can play original PlayStation (PS1) games on an iPhone in 2026 without a jailbreak and without sideloading: since Apple allowed retro game emulators on the App Store in 2024, several PS1 emulators are a normal download. This guide compares them, says what you need to bring yourself (your games and, for some apps, a BIOS file), and explains how to get your games onto the iPhone. Last checked: October 29, 2026, against each app’s App Store listing.
The Short Version
- Gamma, by ZodTTD, is the dedicated PS1 emulator on the App Store. It is free with ads, $4.99 removes them, and it needs iOS 15 or later.
- Multi-system emulators also run PS1 games: Manic EMU, Provenance and RetroArch are on the App Store too.
- App Store apps are signed by Apple, update themselves and are not revoked, so start there. Sideloading a PS1 emulator gives you nothing extra in most cases.
- No emulator includes games. Use copies of discs you own; downloading games you do not own is piracy in most countries.
- PS1 emulation is light, so any iPhone that runs iOS 15 or 16 can handle it.
PS1 Emulators for iPhone at a Glance
| Emulator | Developer | Cost | Needs | PS1 BIOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gamma | ZODTTD LLC | Free with ads, $4.99 Pro | iOS 15+ | Optional for many games |
| Manic EMU | Shenzhen Aoshuang Future Technology | Free | iOS 15+ | Depends on the core |
| Provenance | Joseph Mattiello | Free, optional Provenance Plus | iOS 16+ | You add it |
| RetroArch | Libretro | Free | See its listing | Depends on the core |
Prices and requirements are from the US App Store in October 2026 and can change.
The Emulators
1. Gamma
Gamma came out in May 2024, soon after Apple’s rule change, and climbed into the top ten of the App Store charts that month. It is made by ZodTTD (Benjamin Stark), a long-time iOS emulator developer. Version 2.0.2 came out in September 2026. Its listing names:
- disc images in CUE+BIN, CHD, PBP, ISO and MDS format, also inside ZIP, 7z, RAR or ECM archives;
- up to 8x resolution upscaling, widescreen modes and a CRT filter;
- MFi, PlayStation and Xbox controllers and Bluetooth keyboards, plus multitap for four local players;
- manual and automatic save states, with sync through Google Drive or Dropbox;
- RetroAchievements, cheat codes and memory card management.
The listing says a BIOS file is optional for many games. The free version shows ads, and its App Store privacy label says it collects data linked to you for third-party advertising. Gamma Pro ($4.99) removes the ads.
2. Manic EMU
Manic EMU is a free multi-system emulator that runs PS1 games next to PSP, 3DS, DS, N64, Dreamcast, Saturn and many more. For PS1 it lets you switch between emulation cores, including PCSX ReARMed. It is a good choice if you want one app for several consoles; we cover its 3DS side in 3DS emulators for iPhone.
3. Provenance
Provenance was an open-source emulator that people sideloaded for years before it reached the App Store. It now lists more than 40 systems, PlayStation and PSP among them, and needs iOS 16 or later. The app is free, and Provenance Plus (a paid upgrade) adds iCloud sync of games and save states. For PS1 it looks for BIOS files you add yourself. See our Provenance guide for the full system list and setup.
4. RetroArch
RetroArch runs emulator “cores”, and the libretro project has two PlayStation cores: Beetle PSX and PCSX ReARMed. It has the most settings and the steepest learning curve. Our RetroArch on iPhone setup guide covers installing it, adding games and setting up controllers.
Do You Need a PS1 BIOS?
The PS1 BIOS is the console’s own startup software. Some emulators can run many games without it, but games are more compatible with the real one. The libretro documentation lists the usual files by region: scph5500.bin (Japan), scph5501.bin (USA) and scph5502.bin (Europe). The BIOS is copyrighted by Sony, so the legal way to get it is to dump it from a PlayStation you own. A BIOS download from a random website is both a legal and a security risk.
How to Get Your Games onto the iPhone
- Make a copy of a PS1 disc you own with a computer that has a disc drive. The most common format is a BIN file with a CUE file next to it; CHD saves space and Gamma reads it.
- Move the files to the iPhone. Use AirDrop from a Mac, the Files app with iCloud Drive, or Finder (Mac) or Apple Devices (Windows) with a cable. Keep a game’s CUE and BIN files together, or put them in one ZIP.
- Open the emulator and use its import button. Most of them open the Files app, so you can pick the files from iCloud Drive or On My iPhone.
- For a game with more than one disc, import all of them. RetroArch reads M3U playlist files that list the discs, so you can swap discs inside the game; check your emulator’s help for its own way of changing discs.
Controllers
Every emulator here works with touch controls, but PS1 games were made for a controller. A PlayStation DualShock 4 or DualSense, an Xbox controller or an MFi controller pairs in Settings, Bluetooth, and the emulators detect it. Games that use the analog sticks need a controller with sticks to play well. For a full retro setup with several emulators, a controller and save backups, see how to build a retro gaming console with your iPhone.
What About Sideloading?
For PS1 there is little reason to sideload in 2026: the App Store apps are free or cheap, updated and never revoked. Sideloading still has a place for emulators that cannot be on the App Store, such as the PPSSPP build with JIT or the Play! PS2 emulator. If you get an emulator IPA from anywhere other than its developer, scan the IPA before you install it. Our emulators guide lists the other systems.
FAQ
Is there a free PS1 emulator for iPhone?
Yes. Gamma is free with ads, and Manic EMU, Provenance and RetroArch are free to download. Gamma Pro ($4.99) only removes the ads.
Is it legal to use a PS1 emulator on iPhone?
Apple allows emulators on the App Store, and using one is legal in most countries. The games and the BIOS are the copyrighted part: use copies of discs and a console you own.
Do I need a jailbreak?
No. All four emulators here are normal App Store apps.
Which iPhone do I need?
Any iPhone that runs the emulator’s minimum iOS version: iOS 15 for Gamma and Manic EMU, iOS 16 for Provenance. PS1 games are light to emulate, so older supported iPhones run them well.