PPSSPP for iOS is back on the App Store!

The free version of PPSSPP 1.17.2 has been re-approved by Apple, and is now back on the App Store!

The version that's online now is the same as the current Gold version, it includes these new features and fixes:

• Metal/Vulkan-based rendering through MoltenVK, for better performance
• Much improved UI text rendering
• Many bug and crash fixes
• Support for RetroAchievements and nickname change (soft keyboard support)
• Swipe from left edge to go back

Enjoy!

And if you do enjoy it, consider buying the gold version to support the project!

PPSSPP for iOS 1.17.2

PPSSPP for iOS 1.17.2, both regular and Gold, have been sent for review. The Gold version has passed and will roll out today. For the free version status, see below.

• Metal/Vulkan-based rendering through MoltenVK, for better performance
• Much improved UI text rendering
• Many bug and crash fixes
• Support for RetroAchievements and nickname change (soft keyboard support)
• Swipe from left edge to go back

PPSSPP free version stalled in App Store review

This is the status of my apps in the App Store as I'm writing this, just before triggering the rollout of 1.17.2:

I'm trying everything to get the free version up again:

• I've responded to the complaint and taken down most things from the homebrew store
• I've requested an expedited review
• I've sent a new version for review

But nothing seems to work, it's been four days since the takedown now.

If anyone knows what else I can do, email me at [email protected].

Below you can find Apple's complaint (which, if accurate, would also apply to the Gold version, since it had the same contents in the homebrew store). Note that despite the complaint giving a 14-day deadline, the app was taken down immediately, which is odd. Additionally, in my opinion the complaint is incorrect because I don't believe anything previously on the homebrew store actually did infringe upon copyright.

Hello,

We are writing to let you know about new information regarding the latest approved version of your app, PPSSPP - PSP emulator, which could impact its availability on the App Store.

Upon re-evaluation, we found that your app is not in compliance with the App Review Guidelines. Specifically, we found your app is in violation of the following:

Guideline 5.2.2 - Legal

The app appears to contain copyrighted video game files, located in the Homebrew Store.

Apps and their content should not infringe upon the rights of another party. In the event an app infringes another party’s rights, the app's developers are responsible for any liability to Apple because of a claim.

Next Steps

Either remove the copyrighted third-party content from the app and its metadata or provide a written affirmation that you have the appropriate rights or license to use and distribute the third-party copyrighted materials.

Resources

Learn more about intellectual property requirements in guideline 5.2.2.

To ensure there is no interruption of the availability of your app on the App Store, please submit an update within 14 days of the date of this message. If we do not receive an update compliant with the App Review Guidelines within 14 days, your app will be removed from sale.
Please note, if your app is found to be out of compliance for any reason and rejected after the time period provided has elapsed, your app will be removed from sale until a compliant update is submitted, approved and released to the App Store.

If you have any questions about this information, please reply to this message to let us know.

Best regards,

App Review



An App Review specialist reviewed the app and determined it is not in compliance with App Store Review Guideline 5.2.2 because it used, accessed, monetized access to, or displayed content from a third-party service without proof of authorization or permission to do so.

The App Review specialist may have used automation as part of the review process.

Your app is being removed from the App Store.

May 30: Taken down

On May 30 I received a complaint from Apple that some games in the built-in Homebrew Store were violating someone's copyright somehow, no details. I don't know or believe that any of them are actually in violation (they are all free to distribute), but I took most of them down for now. I hope Apple will let PPSSPP back in the App Store soon.

For some reason, PPSSPP Gold wasn't affected by the takedown, even though it has an identical homebrew store built-in.

June 1: New builds submitted for review

I have submitted new builds of both PPSSPP and PPSSPP Gold to the App Store for review, hopefully this will trigger Apple into action.

Upcoming improvements:

• Metal/Vulkan-based rendering through MoltenVK, for better performance
• Swipe from left edge to go back
• Much improved UI text rendering
• Many bug and crash fixes
• Support for RetroAchievements
• And more!

Now, we wait for Apple.

PPSSPP has only been out for iOS for a few days, and the response so far has been overwhelming! It's great to hear from so many people trying out PPSSPP for iOS for the first time and enjoying it. Of course, the first release is a bit rough and ready, I prioritized getting it out early over making it perfect. So, here's what you can expect in the first update, which will be submitted for review in about a week:

• Basic soft keyboard support, leading to:
  • RetroAchievements support
  • Nickname editing
• Vulkan rendering through MoltenVK, for a bit of extra performance and features
• Swipe-to-left gesture to go back in menus and to the menu in-game, similar to many other iOS apps
• Screen dimming fixes (like, if you were using your iPad on TV or similar, it won't dim the screen if you're in-game).
• And probably some more!

Stay tuned!

2024-05-15

After nearly 12 years, PPSSPP has finally been approved for the iOS App Store! Thanks to Apple for relaxing their policies, allowing retro games console emulators on the store.

This initial App Store release of PPSSPP has some limitations compared to the earlier unofficial builds:

• Vulkan support through MoltenVK is not yet enabled
• Magic Keyboard (iPad Keyboard) is not supported
• The JIT recompiler is not supported
• RetroAchievements is temporarily disabled

In future updates, MoltenVK will be re-enabled (and I might even write a native Metal backend), and the Magic Keyboard will be supported through another method (the old method was using an undocumented API, so not usable in the App Store). RetroAchievements will be back as well, with a better login UI.

However, the JIT compiler cannot be restored without a change in Apple’s rules. The loss of the JIT is unfortunate since without it, our CPU emulation performance is reduced. Fortunately, iOS devices are generally fast enough to run nearly all PSP games at full speed anyway, as the PSP CPU is not that expensive to emulate, thanks to our efficient IR-based caching interpreter, which also has further room for improvement.

Anyway, enjoy this new way of playing PPSSPP! And stay tuned for updates. Additional information is available here.

Buy the Gold version if you want to support development!

Buy PPSSPP Gold for iOS

Download PPSSPP for iOS