Apple Changes App Store Rules to Allow Classic Game Emulators

Apple has made a significant change to the App Store rules, reversing a long-standing ban on emulators on the iPhone and iPad. This update now allows “software not embedded in the binary” to run inside apps hosted on the App Store.

The specific change was made to one of the guidelines, which now lists “retro game console emulator apps” among the types of software that are allowed. Developers are responsible for any software that can be loaded into an app, and Apple stresses that all add-ons and ROMs must comply with multiple guidelines and all applicable laws.

Given the new flexibility in the App Store rules, it is likely that these emulators will reach macOS, iOS and iPadOS before long.