Apple's App Store review team's recent rejection of the PC emulator UTM SE has ignited a debate over what constitutes console emulation on iOS and who gets to decide.
In a statement posted on X.com, UTM revealed that Apple cited PC emulation as the reason for rejection, arguing that "PC is not a console," despite PCs' capability to run games. This decision leaves UTM and similar apps ineligible for notarization on iOS or third-party app stores.
However, the definition seems blurry. UTM SE can emulate early Windows and DOS versions, contemporaries to consoles like Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, and Atari ST, all of which have functional emulation apps on iOS. Interestingly, Apple's restriction doesn't apply to the Mac version of UTM Virtual Machines, available on the Mac App Store, allowing emulation of various OSes, including Windows and Linux.
UTM's developers expressed dissatisfaction with Apple's stance, particularly its prohibition on Just In Time compilers (JIT) in emulators, which they believe compromises user experience. They announced halting iOS development until Apple revises its policy, which appears unlikely.
Although Apple recently allowed retro game console emulator apps on the App Store, the ambiguity surrounding which emulators are permissible remains. While DOS-based emulators are accepted, Windows emulation apps are not, exemplified by iDOS 4's ongoing approval process.
Previously, users resorted to jailbreaking or alternative repositories for emulation. However, Apple's rule change in April 2024, permitting apps running external code, marked a significant shift. Yet, questions persist regarding the extent of this relaxation and its implications for emulator developers and users alike.