UTM SE, a retro PC game emulator, has made waves by becoming available on the iOS App Store, a first for Apple’s marketplace. Previously rejected by Apple, the developers behind UTM SE navigated around restrictions with a “JIT-less build,” ensuring compliance with Apple’s stringent policies.
This breakthrough allows users to run classic PC games on their iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro devices, either by downloading pre-built virtual machines provided by UTM or creating custom ones from scratch.
The release marks a significant shift in Apple’s approach, reflecting a reconsideration of its policy on PC emulators for iOS. UTM SE’s availability for free on the App Store and its forthcoming inclusion on AltStore PAL, an alternative app marketplace, further expands its accessibility, particularly for users in the EU.
The developers expressed gratitude to both AltStore for their assistance and Apple for reassessing their stance, highlighting collaborative efforts that enabled the app’s official debut.
With UTM SE’s introduction, Apple users now have a new avenue to experience vintage PC gaming directly on their iOS devices, underscoring the evolving landscape of mobile app approvals and the growing demand for versatile software solutions. As enthusiasts eagerly await further developments, UTM SE represents a pioneering step towards integrating niche software capabilities into mainstream mobile platforms.
