Retro game emulators are now allowed on iPhone, as are HTML5-based mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots and plug-ins in apps.
The new rules in the refreshed App Review Guidelines are effective immediately and applied globally. Now fans of classic games will be able to download an emulator from the App Store to play those titles on their iPhone and iPad.
Apple has also relaxed its rules pertaining to apps that run external code. Apps like emulators are permitted to download games from the internet and offer mini games without requiring that each download also be available through the App Store.
Streaming games, chatbots and plug-ins are allowed, too
“Apps may offer certain software that is not embedded in the binary, specifically HTML5 mini apps and mini games, streaming games, chatbots and plug-ins,” the guidelines read. “Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games.”
Emulators must include universal links that lead to add-ons, ROMs and related downloads offered through them. Of course, developers must be cautious here because users typically must provide their own ROMs to avoid legal problems.
At any rate, developers will need to address any such issues and ensure they comply with all applicable laws or Apple will nuke their apps from orbit.
Game emulators have tried to beat the system by hiding their functionality behind a secret option in ordinary-looking apps. Several emulators have managed to get past Apple’s review team using hidden functionality, but they always get taken down when Apple finds out what’s happening.
GBA4iOS is coming to Vision Pro
This is great news for retro gaming fans and makers of emulators like Riley Testut, the brains behind GBA4iOS, a Nintendo Game Boy emulator. GBA4iOS is currently available on jailbroken devices through AltStore.
But now, Riley can release his emulator on the App Store without breaking Apple’s rules. He is already working on an upcoming Vision Pro version of GBA4iOS (available on TestFlight) that works with the official NES controller for the Switch.
As part of the change, services that stream gameplay over the internet, such as Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia’s GeForce Now, are now permitted on the iPhone, although none is currently available on the App Store.
US government sues Apple on antitrust grounds
Apple’s change of heart is probably in response to the antitrust lawsuit filed by the United States government. Among other things, it accuses Apple of anti-competitive behavior because it prohibits cloud-streamed gaming on the iPhone, which could affect the fees it collects from games on the App Store.
The iPhone maker is also scrutinized in the European Union, where it was fined $2 billion over the anti-steering rule in the Spotify streaming case. On top of that, the company has made a number of changes to appease EU regulators, including allowing web distribution, sideloading and alternative app marketplaces on iPhone.