Apple Bans Retro PC Emulators: Nostalgia Takes a Hit

In a surprising move, Apple has recently reversed a long-standing policy that disallowed retro game emulator apps, unlocking an entire treasure trove of classic ROMs for iPhone and iPad users. No longer confined to convoluted work-arounds, gamers can now revel in titles from yesteryears with unprecedented ease. However, Apple’s newfound leniency towards emulators doesn’t extend to classic PC platforms, be it for gaming or other purposes. Developers hoping to bring DOS and early x32 emulators to the App Store have been met with rejection. The Verge reports that Apple cited section 4.7 of the App Store’s App Review Guidelines as the reason for this prohibition.

This particular section has already caused headaches for services that stream games from external servers and now it’s doing the same for PC emulator apps. While “Game emulators” and “Retro game console emulators” are given the green light, Apple draws the line when it comes to software emulating platforms like DOS and Windows. The developers behind iDOS 3 and the UTM SE virtual machine found out the hard way, with their app submissions being denied. Social media posts indicate that Apple specifically objected to these programs because they aren’t “Emulators of retro game consoles,” despite the fact that they allow for the playing of PC games that are over three decades old.

Apple’s stance on defining what constitutes a game console versus a personal computer seems as murky as ever. For instance, the Commodore 64, a device originally sold as a personal computer and capable of running various productivity programs, is currently represented in the App Store in the form of emulators. Would this make the C64 a console in Apple’s eyes? Evidently, so. Developers thus find themselves at the mercy of Apple’s interpretation of its own guidelines, often discovering their app is in violation only after it has been rejected.

In contrast, Google’s Play Store for Android is far more permissive, allowing emulation apps for nearly any platform, provided they do not include copyrighted content. This stark difference highlights the more open ecosystem of Android devices compared to Apple’s walled garden. Apple’s position appears to have shifted earlier this year, coinciding with European Union legislation that mandated the company to permit third-party app stores on iOS. This move aligns iOS more closely with the flexibility already available on Android.

With these changes on the horizon, users in the European Union might soon be able to run PC emulators on their iPhones and iPads through third-party app stores. While this won’t provide the seamless experience of the App Store, it does offer a potential workaround for those eager to relive their favorite DOS and early Windows games. Until then, developers and users alike remain in limbo, navigating the intricate and often unpredictable landscape of Apple’s app approval process.