'UTM SE', an emulator that allows you to run Windows on your iPhone, is finally released on the App Store



The Windows emulator ' UTM SE ' has been released as a free app for iOS and visionOS on the App Store. However, UTM SE for Apple devices does not have a JIT compiler , so performance is reduced.

PC emulator comes to iOS, but Apple's restrictions hamper performance | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/07/apples-restrictions-hold-back-the-first-pc-emulator-on-the-ios-app-store/



In April 2024, Apple updated its App Store review guidelines and began allowing emulator apps, which it had previously strictly prohibited. However, Apple only approved 'emulator apps for retro game consoles.'

Apple allows retro game console emulator apps to be released on the App Store - GIGAZINE



Following Apple's change in policy, several emulator apps began plotting to be distributed on the App Store. UTM , a PC emulator that can emulate Windows and Linux, also developed UTM SE, which has some limited functions, for distribution on the App Store and was undergoing review by the App Store, but in June 2024, Apple rejected the distribution. Apple pointed out that the reason for refusing to distribute UTM SE was that it was 'not a retro game emulator.'

Apple rejects and blocks 'UTM' app that allows Windows to run on iPhone - GIGAZINE



The development team then took the new version of UTM SE to the App Store for review, and announced that it had passed the review and was now available on the App Store for iOS and visionOS. In addition, the team also announced that UTM SE will soon be available on the third-party app store AltStore .




However, UTM SE suffers from significant performance degradation due to Apple's restrictions on JIT compilation, limiting its suitability for effectively emulating many PC games.

UTM SE can be installed from below and is free for anyone to install. Despite the performance issues, many of the App Store reviews have been welcoming of the arrival of a Windows emulator.

UTM SE: Retro PC emulator on the App Store
https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/utm-se-retro-pc-emulator/id1564628856



UTM SE provides links to download pre-configured settings for Windows XP and later versions, as well as a guide to emulating them on iOS. However, users must prepare their own ISO file to install genuine Windows, and run SPICE , a tool for adjusting OS installation and access via iOS, on their own. Therefore, technology media Ars Technica wrote that 'it seems easier to download pre-built Linux compatible with UTM.'

Because the App Store prohibits apps that install executable code, UTM SE does not have a JIT compiler. Instead, UTM SE uses the Tiny-Code Threaded Interpreter (TCTI) to interpret each piece of code as it runs.

CZ, one of the developers of UTM and a moderator in the UTM development community, said , 'The SE in UTM SE stands for 'Sloe Edition.' This is to convey that games cannot be made with UTM SE.'

In addition, OMG! Ubuntu , a technology media that actually used UTM SE, pointed out performance issues such as 'very slow' and 'sticky experience.' Therefore, Ars Technica recommends 'installing the regular version of UTM via sideloading or a third-party app store.'

In addition, the developer of DolphiniOS, an emulator for the GameCube and Wii, has stated that the App Store ' cannot run applications at a functional frame rate ' due to the lack of a JIT compiler, and has released a video showing how DolphiniOS' performance degrades when the JIT compiler is missing.

DolphiniOS without JIT (using Interpreter) - YouTube


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