Do you remember the first time you picked your starter Pokemon? I sure do. That little moment still brings a wave of nostalgia, and I know I’m not alone. There’s just something about those classic Pokemon games that keeps pulling us back. Let’s talk about Pokemon Emulators iPhone.
And here’s the good news. In 2025, you don’t have to jailbreak your iPhone or download weird, risky apps to play those games again. Things have changed. Apple now allows sideloading in more flexible ways, and emulator developers have significantly stepped up their game.
So whether you’re trying to replay Pokemon FireRed, jump into Pokémon SoulSilver, or try out a custom fan-made game, this guide is for you. Let’s walk through the best Pokemon emulators iPhone, all without jailbreaking.
Delta Emulator
Delta is my personal favorite and probably the most polished Pokemon emulator out there right now for iPhones. It’s created by Riley Testut, and it gets updated regularly.
It supports Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, Nintendo DS, Super Nintendo, NES, and a few more. It lets you save your game anytime, use cheat codes, customize the look with skins, and even connect a Bluetooth controller. You can sync your saves to Google Drive or Dropbox so you never lose your progress.
To install it, you need to use something called AltStore. You install AltServer on your Mac or PC, connect your iPhone, and sideload Delta from there. You’ll also need to trust the developer profile in your iPhone settings.
Pros
- Great design and smooth performance
- Very reliable with Pokemon games
- Supports lots of consoles and features
Cons
- You need to set up AltStore first
- Free Apple IDs have weekly app install limits
Just remember, Delta doesn’t come with games. You’ll need your own ROM backups.
Eclipse Emulator
Eclipse is another Pokemon emulators iPhone and a great choice for iPhones, especially if you don’t want to mess with installations or profiles. It runs completely inside Safari, so no downloads needed.
It supports Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, and NES games. You can use save states, cheat codes, and load your ROMs straight from Google Drive. You can even change the theme or skin if you want a different look.
To use Eclipse, just visit eclipseemu dot me in Safari and add it to your home screen. That’s it.
See the Reddit repository
Pros
- No installations needed
- Works well on iOS 17 and 18
- Simple to use
Cons
- Doesn’t support DS games
- Might lag a bit with larger files
Again, Eclipse doesn’t come with any games. You need to upload your own legally owned ROMs.
iGBA Plus
This one’s a fresh take on the older iGBA Pokemon emulators iPhone. It focuses only on Game Boy Advance games. It’s not as fancy as Delta or Eclipse, but it works pretty well for what it is.
You can save and load your progress, browse your files in the built-in manager, and it even works offline once installed.
You download it from Safari and install it by trusting the developer profile in your settings.
Pros
- Simple and quick to set up
- Good for beginners
- No need for a computer
Cons
- Very basic look and feel
- Some games might not work properly
As always, use only ROMs that you’ve legally backed up.
RetroArch for iPhone
Now this one is for the techy folks out there. RetroArch is a multi-system emulator that can run pretty much anything from Game Boy to PlayStation 1. It’s powerful but takes a little more time to figure out.
You get a ton of customization options, from shaders to rewinding gameplay. It also supports Bluetooth controllers.
To install it, you can use AltStore or a tool like Sideloadly. Both let you sideload the app without jailbreaking.
Pros
- Packed with advanced features
- Can run fan-made Pokemon games too
- Great compatibility
Cons
- It can feel overwhelming at first
- It might be more than you need for casual play
Just a reminder, RetroArch does not include any games. You need to provide your own files legally.
WebRcade Pokemon Emulator
If you want something lightweight and fast, WebRcade is a neat little option. It’s a web-based platform where you drag and drop your ROMs and start playing right in Safari.
It supports Game Boy Advance, NES, and Super Nintendo. You can save your progress and connect a controller, too.
To get started, go to webrcade.com in Safari and add it to your home screen. That’s all it takes.
Pros
- No setup required
- Runs instantly
- Perfect for GBA Pokemon games
Cons
- No DS support
- Not a lot of customization
Just like the others, WebRcade doesn’t host games. You’ll need to upload your own.
Quick Comparison Table
Here’s a quick look at how these emulators stack up
| Emulator | Consoles Supported | Install Method | AltStore Needed | Easy to Use | ROM Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta | GBA, GBC, NDS, SNES | AltStore | Yes | Great | Excellent |
| Eclipse | GBA, GBC, NES | Web App | No | Very easy | Great |
| iGBA Plus | GBA | Safari download | No | Easy | Good |
| RetroArch | GBA, NDS, PS1, more | AltStore or Sideload | Yes | Moderate | Excellent |
| WebRcade | GBA, SNES, NES | Web App | No | Easy | Good |
Getting Started If You’re New
Don’t worry if you’ve never used an emulator before. Here’s a step-by-step guide
Method One – Using AltStore for Delta and RetroArch
- Go to altstore.io and download AltServer on your computer
- Plug your iPhone into the computer with a cable or use WiFi sync
- Install AltStore on your iPhone using AltServer
- On your iPhone, go to Settings and trust the developer under Device Management
- Now open AltStore and install Delta or RetroArch
Method Two – Web-Based Emulators like Eclipse and WebRcade
- Open Safari and visit eclipseemu dot me or webrcade dot com
- Tap the share button and choose Add to Home Screen
- Upload your own ROM files to get started
Pro Tips
- Use a trusted site like ROMsMania for public domain games
- If possible, back up your own cartridges using a ROM dumper
- Always save your progress to the cloud, just in case
Final Thoughts
It’s amazing how far things have come. You can now play classic Pokemon games on your iPhone in 2025 without jailbreaking or dealing with complicated setups.
If you’re just starting out, I recommend going with Delta. It’s clean, easy to use, and supports almost all the Pokemon titles you’d want.
If you don’t want to install anything, try Eclipse or WebRcade. They’re fast, simple, and great for quick gameplay sessions.
Just one last thing. Make sure you use ROMs you legally own. Retro gaming should always be fun and fair.
That’s all for now. Happy catching, and may your team be full of shinies.