Apple allows PC emulators for iPhone and iPad to download games

Apple has updated its App Store guidelines for developers to allow PC emulator apps to download games. Previously, the rules allowed only console emulators to download games. Now this paragraph of the rules, number 4.7, also includes PC emulators. The change follows App Store approval of the UTM SE app, which emulates older versions of Windows, macOS and Linux for classic software and games.

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Apple initially rejected the UTM SE PC emulator app in June, although it began allowing retro game emulators back in April. The company told the UTM SE developers that their app violates the ‌App Store‌ rules because “PC is not a console.” Later, Apple approved the emulator after the developers made some changes. UTM SE was the first PC emulator app to be approved in the App Store, but today’s rule changes will make the approval process easier for other similar software solutions.

Apple has also updated separate guidelines for notarizing apps distributed outside the App Store in the European Union. Apps distributed outside the App Store are not subject to all of Apple’s rules, but must meet a number of requirements to be notarized. Products with missing notarization will not run on Apple devices.

Changes to the App Store rules affected the following sections:

• 4.7 – allows mini-applications, mini-games, streaming games, chatbots, plugins and game emulators;
• 4.7.2 – Prevents applications from extending or exposing native platform APIs to software without Apple’s permission;
• 4.7.3 – Prohibits apps from sharing data or privacy permissions with any software without user consent.

Previously, these guidelines were not part of the EU notarization process.