RetroArch on iPhone: Complete Setup Guide 2026
RetroArch is not a single emulator but a front end that runs many of them. Each emulator inside it is called a core, and one RetroArch install can play games from systems such as the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Sega Genesis, PlayStation and Nintendo 64. On top of that it adds features most single-system emulators do not have: shaders, rewind, run-ahead, netplay and RetroAchievements. This guide covers the two ways to get RetroArch on an iPhone, how cores work on iOS, how to add your games, and the settings worth changing first. The facts come from the RetroArch project’s own documentation.
RetroArch on iPhone at a Glance
| Price | Free and open source |
| App Store | Yes, available worldwide since May 2024 |
| iOS versions | iOS 12 or later for the main version (a separate build with fewer features exists for iOS 9 and later) |
| Cores | Built into the app; on iOS they cannot be added or updated after installation |
| Games | Not included; you add your own game files |
| Jailbreak | Not needed |
App Store or Sideloaded: Which Version?
There are two ways to get RetroArch, and they are not identical:
- App Store version. The easiest and the safest choice. According to the project, it includes only the cores that have explicit approval for App Store distribution, and it runs without JIT, because Apple does not allow apps to use JIT.
- Sideloaded version. The IPA builds contain all of the cores available for iOS. You install it with a sideloading tool such as Scarlet. The RetroArch documentation notes that JIT is only available in sideloaded builds installed through Xcode or AltServer, so a build installed with Scarlet has more cores but should not be expected to run JIT-based cores at full speed.
If the App Store version has the systems you want to play, use it. Sideload when you need a core it does not include.
How to Install RetroArch With Scarlet
- Install Scarlet first if you have not; see how to install Scarlet iOS, or open our Scarlet iOS install page in Safari.
- Open Scarlet and search for RetroArch in its library. What the library contains changes over time, so if it is not listed, use the RetroArch IPA from the project’s own website instead (see how to sideload IPA files with Scarlet).
- Tap Install and confirm the iOS prompt.
- Wait for the icon on your home screen to finish downloading.
- If iOS says the developer is not trusted, trust its profile in Settings, General, VPN and Device Management.
- Open RetroArch once so it creates its folders.
Only use RetroArch builds from the project itself or from a source you trust. Modified emulator builds are a common way to spread unwanted code.
How Cores Work on iOS
On computers and Android, RetroArch downloads cores through its Online Updater. On iPhone and iPad it works differently: cores are signed executables, so they ship inside the app and you cannot add or update them after installation. To get newer cores, you install a newer version of RetroArch. The Online Updater is still useful for other things, such as shaders, thumbnails and databases.
Many systems have more than one core, usually one that favours accuracy and one that favours speed. If a game runs slowly, try another core for the same system. Common choices include:
- NES: Nestopia UE or FCEUmm
- SNES: Snes9x for speed, bsnes for accuracy
- Game Boy and Game Boy Color: Gambatte
- Game Boy Advance: mGBA
- Sega Genesis: Genesis Plus GX
- PlayStation: PCSX ReARMed for speed, Beetle PSX for accuracy
- Nintendo 64: Mupen64Plus-Next
Which of these your copy contains depends on the version you installed. Open Load Core in the main menu to see the list.
Adding Your Games
RetroArch does not come with games. Use game files you are entitled to use, such as backups of games you own or homebrew titles; downloading copies of commercial games you do not own infringes copyright in most countries.
- Open RetroArch once, then open the Files app and go to Browse, On My iPhone. A RetroArch folder appears there.
- Copy your game files into that folder, ideally in a subfolder per system. You can move them from iCloud Drive, AirDrop or a computer.
- In RetroArch, use Import Content, then Scan Directory, and pick the folder. RetroArch builds playlists for the games it recognises.
- Alternatively, use Load Content and Open to pick a file directly.
Our guide on how to transfer ROMs to iPhone emulators covers each transfer method in detail.
First Settings Worth Changing
Video
- In Settings, Video, Scaling, turn on Integer Scale for sharp pixels without uneven scaling.
- Keep the aspect ratio set to the one the core provides so games are not stretched.
Shaders
Shaders change how the picture looks, for example adding CRT scanlines or a handheld LCD grid. Download them with the Online Updater, then, while a game is running, open the Quick Menu, choose Shaders and load a preset. Shaders use extra processing power, so turn them off if a game slows down.
Controllers
Pair your controller in iOS Settings, Bluetooth, first. RetroArch detects common controllers such as Xbox, PlayStation and MFi models automatically. Check the mapping in Settings, Input, and use the Quick Menu, Controls to change it for a single game. Without a controller, RetroArch shows on-screen touch controls.
Menu style
If the menu feels hard to use on a phone, you can change it in Settings, User Interface, Menu. A restart applies the change.
Features That Make RetroArch Different
- Rewind: step back a few seconds in a game. It must be turned on in the settings and uses extra memory.
- Run-ahead: reduces input lag by running frames ahead. It needs extra processing power, so use it on systems that already run comfortably.
- Save states: save and load at any point from the Quick Menu, on top of the game’s own saves.
- RetroAchievements: create a free account at retroachievements.org, then sign in under Settings, Achievements. Supported games then show achievements as you play.
- Netplay: play local multiplayer games over the internet with a friend running the same core and game.
Troubleshooting
A game does not load
Make sure you picked a core for the right system, and check that the file is not damaged or still zipped in a format the core does not read. Some systems, such as the PlayStation, need BIOS files you provide yourself; the core’s documentation lists which. Our PS1 emulators for iPhone guide covers the PlayStation BIOS files and simpler PS1-only apps.
A game runs slowly or the sound crackles
Try a faster core for the same system, turn off shaders, rewind and run-ahead, and close other apps. Raising the audio latency in Settings, Audio can stop crackling. Our best iPhone settings for gaming with emulators has more tips.
A core you expected is missing
On iOS you cannot download it separately. The App Store version includes fewer cores than the sideloaded builds, and older builds may include different ones.
RetroArch will not open
If you installed it with Scarlet and it suddenly stops opening, along with your other sideloaded apps, the certificate has most likely been revoked; see what to do when the Scarlet certificate is revoked. Your game files stay in the Files app.
RetroArch vs Single-System Emulators
RetroArch is the most flexible choice, but not the simplest. If you mainly play one system and want a phone-friendly app, a dedicated emulator is often easier: see how to install Delta for Nintendo handhelds and older consoles, or PPSSPP for PSP games. Our list of the best emulators to install with Scarlet compares the options, and there are dedicated guides for N64 emulators and PlayStation games on iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RetroArch free on iPhone?
Yes. RetroArch is free and open source, both on the App Store and as an IPA.
Do I need Scarlet to get RetroArch?
No. RetroArch is on the App Store. Scarlet is useful when you want the sideloaded build with all of the iOS cores.
Can I download more cores inside the app?
Not on iOS. Cores are part of the app, so the set you have depends on the version you installed.
Does RetroArch come with games?
No. You add your own game files through the Files app.
Do I need a controller?
No. On-screen touch controls work, but a Bluetooth controller makes most games much easier to play.