Apple gave the green light this weekend to UTM SE, a free PC emulator app now available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and even the Vision Pro. The app lets users unlock a world of retro computing by emulating older versions of Windows OS, macOS, Linux, and more. This opens the door to playing classic software and games directly on your Apple device.
UTM SE, the first of its kind on the App Store, lets you run a variety of operating systems, including those designed for desktops and servers. It even supports older graphics with VGA mode compatibility and allows you to use text-based operating systems through terminal mode.
Apple initially blocked UTM SE from the App Store in June, even though they changed their rules in April to allow retro game emulators. The developers say Apple rejected the app because it focuses on emulating older computer programs, not just console games.
This seems strange since UTM SE can also run classic Windows and DOS games, which hold a nostalgic value for many PC gamers.
Moreover, the developer of UTM SE initially disagreed with Apple’s decision, fearing that making changes to comply would create a subpar experience for users. However, thanks to collaboration with the AltStore team and another developer, UTM SE was finally approved by Apple on Saturday.
While you’ll need to find your own operating systems to run, UTM SE makes it easy to get started. Their website offers helpful guides for installing Windows XP all the way up to Windows 11. Plus, they provide downloads of pre-built virtual machines for various Linux distributions.
