Apple has reversed its initial decision and approved UTM SE, the first PC emulator for iOS devices. The app, now available for free on the App Store, allows users to run classic software and old-school games on iPhones, iPads, and Apple Vision Pro.
UTM SE supports emulation of Windows, Mac OS 9, and Linux operating systems. It can emulate x86, PPC, and RISC-V architectures, offering both VGA graphics mode and terminal mode for text-only systems.
The approval comes weeks after Apple initially rejected the app and barred it from EU third-party app stores. UTM, the developer, credits the AltStore team and another developer’s QEMU TCTI implementation for making this “JIT-less build” possible.
While UTM SE doesn’t include any pre-installed virtual machines, it provides links to guides and pre-built Linux machines on the UTM website. Users can run pre-built machines or create custom configurations.
This development marks a significant shift in Apple’s stance on emulation software for iOS, potentially opening doors for more retro gaming and classic software experiences on Apple mobile devices.
