A new Game Boy Advance emulator called iGBA has emerged on the App Store, allowing users to play GBA games on their iPhones. However, it appears that the developer, Mattia La Spina, may not have created the emulator themselves. Despite this, La Spina expresses frustration towards Apple rather than La Spina for the situation.
Riley Testut, another developer, has been working with Apple to release AltStore as an alternative app marketplace and is disappointed by the approval of a knock-off of AltStore’s flagship app, Delta. Testut plans to launch Delta soon despite this setback. The emergence of emulators on the App Store signals a breakdown of Apple’s strict control over the platform, possibly influenced by impending legal action from the US Department of Justice regarding antitrust concerns. While the availability of emulators is a positive development, the quality of the apps taking advantage of this change remains a concern.
In addition to iGBA, another emulator called Emu64 XL has been spotted, offering a Commodore 64 experience on iPhones. With the EU’s Digital Markets Act pushing for more competition in app stores and sideloading on iOS devices, Apple may continue to face challenges in maintaining its tight hold on the App Store. Despite the initial hiccups with early emulators, the increasing flexibility in app offerings may ultimately benefit users seeking a wider range of experiences on their Apple devices.