This weekend, Apple approved the free PC emulator “UTM SE” for the App Store on iPhone, iPad, and Vision Pro. The app lets users emulate older versions of Windows, macOS, Linux, and more to run classic software and games on Apple devices.
The first of its kind to be allowed on the App Store, UTM SE offers several unique features such as support for VGA mode for graphics and terminal mode for text-only operating systems, emulation of x86, PPC and RISC-V architectures, support for pre-built machines and the ability to create custom bootable machines.
Apple initially rejected the app in June, despite changing its overall App Store policy in April regarding retro game emulators. According to the developers, Apple said the app violated rule 4.7 of its App Review Guidelines because “the PC is not a console,” regardless of the fact that there are retro Windows/DOS games for PC that UTM SE may be useful to run.
Apple also deemed UTM SE unsuitable for third-party markets in the European Union because it violated Rule 2.5.2 of its Notarization Control Guidelines. That rule states that apps must be standalone and cannot run code “that introduces or modifies features or functionality of the app, including other apps.”
After Apple’s rejection, UTM’s developer said that he would not continue to hesitate as the app would become “a poor experience.” However, after the help of the AltStore team and another developer to work on some changes, UTM SE was finally approved by Apple on Saturday.
As with other emulators, UTM SE requires users to provide the operating systems they want to emulate, but the UTM site includes guides for emulating Windows XP through Windows 11, as well as downloads of pre-built virtual Linux machines. UTM SE can be downloaded from the App Store (direct link).
News Source : www.macrumors.com
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