PC emulators with downloads on iPhone and iPad now officially approved
Following the approval of UTM SE, Apple has now explicitly adapted its App Store guidelines: PC emus with downloads are officially approved. There is one catch.
UTM SE on the iPad.
(Image: Turing Software, LLC)
After Apple released the PC emulator software UTM SE for iPad and iPhone to the App Store in mid-July, the company has now also adapted the official App Store rules. The so-called App Review Guidelines were updated as of August 1. Point 4.7 now states that PC emulator apps are permitted to offer game downloads, which ultimately makes an app like UTM SE possible in the first place.
Rules for App Store adapted - and alternative marketplaces
"Apps can offer certain software that is not embedded in the binary, specifically HTML5 mini-apps and mini-games, streaming games, chatbots, and plug-ins," writes Apple. And new: "In addition, retro game console and PC emulator apps can offer the download of games." The company emphasizes that the developer is responsible for all programs offered in the app. "[You] must ensure that this software complies with these guidelines and all applicable laws."
Further changes in sections 4.7, 4.7.2 and 4.7.3 concern the notarization in the context of alternative app marketplaces , which is not without controversy. PC emulators must carry this out and must not contain any malware or privacy-threatening elements. Apple itself does not check apps for alternative app marketplaces for their content, but does check them for security. This means that applications with pornographic content, which have always been prohibited in the App Store, are now possible for the first time.
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One technical snag remains
As good as it is that Apple has reconsidered its stance on emulators, there are still technical problems. For example, Apple still does not allow JIT compilation. This means that emulators are slower than necessary, which prompted the UTM-SE makers to add the "SE" - for "Slow Edition". The JIT version can only be installed via convoluted paths.
Nevertheless, UTM SE has its fans who install old versions of Windows or Linux on their Apple device and play around with it - even professionally, if they can cope with the speed. Some also enjoy the memories of their youth with Windows 95 and the like.
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