Apple approves the first official PC emulator for iOS – after previously rejecting it

UTM SE is now available

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We’ve already seen several retro console emulatorsappear on iOSafterApplerelaxed its rules about the app categoryback in April, and now we have the first approval of a Windows PC emulator – one that Apple had previously rejected.

As spotted byThe Verge, theUTM SEapp is now available on iPhones, as well as iPads andApple Vision Proheadsets. It lets you run a variety of different versions of Windows from Windows XP onwards, as well as selected Linux and macOS versions.

It’s something of a surprise to see UTM SE appear, because back in JuneApple rejected itfrom the App Store. The reason given then was that PCs didn’t fit the “retro game console” description necessary for approval.

At the moment, it’s not fully clear what’s changed – whether it’s a shift in Apple’s policies or something that’s different about the app itself. Based on social media posts from the UTM SE team, it seems maybe Applehas reconsidered, and alongside that the emulator experience hasbeen upgradedtoo.

Gray areas

We are happy to announce that UTM SE is available (for free) on iOS and visionOS App Store (and coming soon to AltStore PAL)!Shoutouts to AltStore team for their help and to Apple for reconsidering their policy.https://t.co/HAV5JnT5GOJuly 13, 2024

As is the norm for emulators like this, there are nooperating systemsincluded with UTM SE – you just get the emulator itself. It’s up to you to head out on to the wilds of the web and source the software you want UTM SE to boot up (and to decide whether or not you’re going to pay for it).

Emulators take this approach because both they and Apple can’t be legally responsible for what you do with them. Running emulators on your phone is perfectly legal, while pirating old software and games very often isn’t – at least technically.

It’s this murky gray area in terms of legality that has kept emulators out of the iOS App Store until recently. However, with Applefacing increasing pressurefrom regulators, it’s taken steps to reduce the amount of gatekeeping it does in terms of user choice.

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The same regulatory pressures mean that third-party app stores for the iPhoneare allowed in the EUnow, and indeed UTM SE is also available through the AltStore. It’s free to install, and doesn’t include any in-app purchases.

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Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. Based out of Stockport, England, on TechRadar you’ll find him covering news, features and reviews, particularly for phones, tablets and wearables. Working to ensure our breaking news coverage is the best in the business over weekends, David also has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci and a few other places besides, as well as being many years editing the likes of PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook.

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