Apple has approved the first-ever retro PC emulator, UTM SE, for the App Store on iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro. This groundbreaking move allows users to emulate old versions of Windows, macOS, Linux, and more, enabling classic software and games to run on Apple devices.
Key Takeaways
- Apple approves UTM SE, the first retro PC emulator for iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro.
- UTM SE supports emulation of x86, PPC, and RISC-V architectures.
- Users can run pre-built machines or create custom configurations.
- The app was initially rejected but later approved after modifications.
A New Era for Emulation on Apple Devices
Apple’s approval of UTM SE marks a significant shift in its App Store policies. The app allows users to emulate various desktop operating systems, including MS-DOS, Windows XP, and Linux, without the need for workarounds, jailbreaks, or side-loading .ipa files via Xcode. This move follows Apple’s relaxation of restrictions on gaming emulators earlier this year.
Features of UTM SE
UTM SE offers several unique features:
- VGA mode support for graphics and terminal mode for text-only OSes.
- Emulation of x86, PPC, and RISC-V architectures.
- Support for pre-built machines and the ability to create custom bootable machines.
- Guides for emulating Windows XP through Windows 11 and pre-built virtual Linux machines.
Initial Rejection and Subsequent Approval
Apple initially rejected UTM SE in June, citing violations of its App Review Guidelines. The app was deemed unsuitable for third-party marketplaces in the European Union due to rule 2.5.2 of the Notarization Review Guidelines. However, after modifications and assistance from the AltStore team, UTM SE was finally approved.
Performance and Limitations
While UTM SE allows for the emulation of various operating systems, users should not expect exceptional performance, especially with modern desktop Linux distributions. The app uses a threaded interpreter instead of Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation, which Apple restricts for security reasons. This results in slower performance compared to native execution.
Community and Developer Reactions
The approval of UTM SE has been met with enthusiasm from the community and developers. Users appreciate the increased flexibility and the ability to push their Apple devices to new limits. However, some have noted the need for better Magic Keyboard support and improved stability when running complex virtual machines.
Future Prospects
The approval of UTM SE opens the door for more emulators to enter the App Store, potentially leading to a broader range of applications and use cases for Apple devices. This move is seen as a positive step towards a more open ecosystem, even within the constraints of Apple’s sandboxed environment.
How to Get UTM SE
UTM SE is available for free on the App Store and requires iOS 14.0, iPadOS 14.0, or visionOS 1.0 or later to run. Users in the European Union will also have the option to download the app from AltStore in the coming weeks.
Sources
- Apple Approves First Retro PC Emulator for iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro – MacRumors, MacRumors.
- Apple Approves First PC Emulator App for iOS – Can it Run Linux? – OMG! Ubuntu, OMG! Ubuntu.
UTM SE: Retro PC emulator on the App Store
, Apple.- iOS PC gaming emulator UTM SE makes it to the App Store, AppleInsider.
- Apple approves the first PC emulator for iPhone and iPad – 9to5Mac, 9to5Mac.