Apple unveiled first PC emulator for iOS devices

UTM SE allows users to emulate old versions of Windows, macOS, much more on their iPhone or iPad

Tech Desk - Jul 15, 2024

An undated image of UTM logo. —App Store

Apple has approved (unified threat management) UTM SE, an app for emulating a computer to run classic software and games, weeks after the company rejected it and prohibited it from being notarised for third-party app stores in the EU (European Union).

However, this PC emulator lets users run classic software and old-school games.

Supports both VGA mode for graphics and terminal mode for text-only operating systems
Emulates x86, PPC, and RISC-V architectures
Run pre-built machines or create your configuration from scratch
Built from QEMU, a powerful and widely used emulator

The app allows users to emulate old versions of Windows, macOS, and much more on their iPhone or iPad. The Cupertino-based tech giant revised its App Store Guidelines to allow game emulators in April, inducing the change in the European Union and around the world.

However, UTM SE was neglected by Apple in June, despite the changes to the App Store Guidelines. Moreover, Apple neglected the app not only from the global App Store but also from third-party app marketplaces in the European Union.

The developers of UTM SE confirmed that Apple had a change of heart. UTM SE can currently be installed from the App Store. Additionally, it will soon be available through AltStore PAL in the EU. There doesn’t seem to be an explanation from Apple about what led to this reversal.

Notably, apps distributed on iOS cannot use a JIT compiler. This means the functionality and performance of the emulators running through UTM SE on iPhone and iPad will not be as powerful as on other platforms.