How to Install Delta Emulator on iPhone

Delta Emulator is a free, official App Store app by Riley Testut that plays Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and NES games directly on your iPhone or iPad. Because it's distributed through Apple's own App Store, installing it is exactly as simple as installing any other app — there's no jailbreak, no AltStore/SideStore sideloading dance, and no computer required.

That said, a lot of older guides online still describe the sideloading process Delta used before it launched officially, which confuses people into thinking it's more complicated than it is. This guide covers the current, official installation method as of 2026: search, download, open. That's it.

Once Delta is installed, it's an empty shell until you add ROM files — the emulator itself doesn't come with any games. After finishing the steps below, head to our guide on adding ROMs from the Files app to get your first game running.

Delta requires iOS 15 or later. If you don't see it in the App Store, confirm your region setting supports it and that your iPhone software is up to date under Settings → General → Software Update.

Delta Sync (optional, requires Patreon) lets you sync saves and settings across an iPhone and iPad via iCloud. It's not required to play — everything in this guide works on the free tier.

Delta doesn't include or distribute ROM files, and neither do we host anything inside the app itself. Only use ROMs of games you legally own.