By Sagar V. Mankar The arrival of UTM SE on iOS marks a significant milestone for PC gaming enthusiasts. Developed by Turing Software, UTM SE is the first retro PC emulator to make its way to the App Store, enabling users to play classic games and run old software on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro devices. This achievement comes despite Apple’s strict restrictions on Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation.
A Long-Awaited Emulator
Since Apple’s policy updates in April, the App Store has seen a surge of emulator apps. However, most of them were console-focused, and general PC emulators were notably absent. UTM SE changes that by offering a comprehensive solution for retro PC emulation.
While UTM SE doesn’t include a built-in Windows operating system, it allows users to run pre-built virtual machines. Supported systems include Windows XP, Mac OS 9.2.1, FreeDOS, Debian 11, and ArchLinux, providing a broad spectrum of compatibility for older software and games.
Technical Features of UTM SE
UTM SE supports both VGA graphics mode and text-based terminal systems, catering to various retro software requirements. It can emulate architectures like x86, PPC, and RISC-V, making it versatile for different computing needs.
The app is free to download from the App Store and requires at least iOS 14, iPadOS 14, or visionOS 1.0. With a file size of 1.7GB, it delivers robust emulation without compromising device performance.
Overcoming JIT Limitations
Initially rejected by Apple in June, UTM SE faced significant challenges due to Apple’s prohibition of JIT compilation. JIT allows real-time code execution, which Apple restricts over security concerns, despite its use in Safari.
Thanks to an implementation of the QEMU TCTI emulator, UTM SE managed to bypass the need for JIT. This workaround was crucial in gaining Apple’s approval and opening the door for other developers to potentially follow suit.
Source: The Verge