Welcome
Provenance — the best free iOS game emulator for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. Play 38+ classic gaming systems including SNES, N64, PlayStation, GBA, and Dreamcast. Open source, no jailbreak required.
The premier multi-system emulator for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS.
Play games from 38+ classic systems with beautiful library management, native Apple TV support, and museum-quality presentation. Available now on the App Store.
New to emulation? Not sure what any of this is? → What is an Emulator? — a friendly explainer for everyone, including what you can play and why you'd want to.
🚀 New Here? Start Here
Get Provenance
Recommended: Download from the App Store (easiest, automatic updates)
Alternative methods: Sideloading or Building from source (advanced users)
First Time Setup
Install from App Store
Add games - See Importing ROMs
Start playing!
Need help? Check the FAQ or visit our Discord.
✨ What Makes Provenance Special
📺 Premier Apple TV Emulator
The only emulator built natively for tvOS. Play retro games on your big screen with proper controller support, TopShelf integration, and optimized performance.
🎨 Museum-Quality Library
Automatic artwork, manuals, and game information. Your collection looks beautiful.
🎮 38+ Systems Supported
From Atari 2600 to Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation to Sega Saturn. See all systems →
🔓 100% Open Source
Fully transparent, no tracking, community-driven. Free forever when sideloaded or built from source.
☁️ iCloud Sync
Seamlessly sync your library, saves, and settings across all your devices (Provenance Plus).
📖 Quick Navigation
Getting Started
Getting Started Guide - Install, import, and play in under 10 minutes
Installing Provenance - App Store, sideloading, building
BIOS Requirements - Required files for certain systems
Importing ROMs - Add games to your library
FAQ - Common questions answered
Using Provenance
Supported Systems - Full compatibility list
In-Game Menu - Pause menu features and shortcuts
Controllers & Controls - Supported controllers and setup
Skins Guide - Custom controller overlays
Game Saves - Save states and battery saves
Quick Continue - Core picker and save previews
Screen Filters & Shaders - CRT, LCD, VHS effects
Cheats - Game Genie, Action Replay, GameShark
Fast Forward - Speed up gameplay
Multiplayer - Local and online play
RetroAchievements - Earn achievements in retro games
Platforms
Performance Optimization - Get the best experience
Apple TV / tvOS Guide - Big-screen gaming
iPad Features - CRT bezel skins and keyboard support
Provenance Plus - iCloud sync and premium features
Advanced
System-Specific Guides - N64, 3DS, GameCube/Wii deep dives
Building from Source - For developers
Contributing - Help improve Provenance
Troubleshooting - Fix common issues
🆕 What's New
Recent Features
🎨 Skins — Custom controller overlays from DeltaStyles.com (free for all users)
🎬 Metal Shader Filters — 7 built-in filters: Simple CRT, Complex CRT, Mega Tron, ulTron, LCD, Game Boy, VHS
🏆 RetroAchievements — Earn achievements in retro games
⏩ Fast Forward — Speed up gameplay with a pause menu toggle or controller shortcut
🎮 Multiplayer — Local multiplayer with up to 4 controllers
🧩 Cheats — Game Genie, GameShark, Action Replay across 12+ native cores
🔄 Quick Continue — Save state previews and core picker on game launch
🌟 Provenance Plus
Optional Provenance Plus upgrade – $3.99/month, $39.99/year, or a $99.99 one-time lifetime purchase to support development and unlock premium features:
☁️ iCloud Sync - Seamless library and save sync across devices
🧪 Beta Access - Test new features early via TestFlight
🎯 Priority Support - Get help faster
❤️ Support Development - Keep Provenance improving
Note: Provenance is free forever when sideloaded or built from source. Plus features support ongoing development.
💬 Community
Discord: discord.gg/provenance
Issues: Report bugs
Reddit: r/Provenance
📚 Documentation Structure
This wiki is organized into sections:
Installation & Usage - Getting Provenance installed and adding games
Info - System compatibility, controllers, technical details
Help - FAQ, troubleshooting, contributing
Development - Building from source, contributing code
Use the sidebar navigation to explore, or search for specific topics.
Last updated: March 2026 Provenance version: Latest (App Store) Wiki maintained by: Provenance community
🌐 Main website: provenance-emu.com — Download the best free iOS game emulator for iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.
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