POKE64
POKE64 is a native Commodore 64 emulator for iPadOS, built on the VICE x64sc family.
What POKE64 is
POKE64 is a native Commodore 64 emulator for iPadOS, built on the VICE x64sc family. It presents a touch-oriented workspace for disks, tapes, cartridges, programs, drives, expansions, and peripherals rather than only a game launcher. The media library organizes titles with artwork, profiles, and inspection tools. Supported formats include D64, D71, D81, G64, PRG, CRT, TAP, and T64. Users can choose fast Virtual Device Traps or full True Drive emulation and configure multiple IEC drives, including units 8 through 11. The emulator supports C64 and C64C systems in PAL and NTSC modes, REU memory up to 16 MB, and several listed audio engines. Controls include an on-screen keyboard, joysticks, modern controllers, Paddles, KoalaPad, Apple Pencil, and Commodore 1351 mouse input. POKE64 is free and open source, currently in TestFlight beta, with App Store availability coming soon.
Good
- Supports broad C64 disk, tape, cartridge, and program formats
- Offers fast or True Drive emulation
- REU memory configurations reach 16 MB
- Includes varied touch and controller inputs
- Free and open source
Watch out
- Does not bundle copyrighted ROMs or commercial software
- Currently identified as a TestFlight beta
- App Store availability is coming soon
- No netplay support
Who it suits
POKE64 suits iPad users who want a touch-focused C64 workspace with emulated media, drives, expansions, and peripherals. It is intended for people who can supply legally permitted ROMs and software images.
Verdict
POKE64 provides a detailed iPad C64 environment with extensive media, drive, memory, audio, and peripheral support. Its beta status and requirement to supply software images shape the setup experience.
The facts
Each one read from POKE64's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Availability
- The site identifies POKE64 as a TestFlight beta, says App Store availability is coming soon, and lists public source and unsigned sideloading builds in the repository.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Controls
- Controls include an on-screen keyboard, joystick and keyboard input, modern controllers, virtual Paddles, KoalaPad, and Apple Pencil support.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Development
- Public source code, release notes, and unsigned sideloading builds are available in the project repository, though the public source snapshot may trail the private beta.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Disk drives
- It offers fast virtual disk access or True Drive emulation and supports multiple IEC drives, including units 8 through 11.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Disk I/O
- It offers fast Virtual Device Traps and full True Drive emulation, with multiple IEC drive units including units 8 through 11 in the current development line.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Emulation
- POKE64 uses the VICE x64sc family as its C64 emulation foundation.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Firmware and media
- Commodore ROMs, proprietary peripheral firmware, and commercial software images are not bundled and must be supplied by the user where legally permitted.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Intended audience
- The product is designed for people who want a touch-oriented iPad C64 workspace with access to emulated drives and hardware expansions.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The product is presented as an iPad workspace for C64 emulation, media, drives, expansions, and peripherals, rather than only a game launcher.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Media formats
- The app supports D64, D71, D81, and G64 media, including extended-track and raw-GCR recognition.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Media library
- Its native media library organizes disks, tapes, cartridges, and programs with artwork, per-title profiles, and media inspection.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Memory and audio
- POKE64 supports REU configurations up to 16 MB and exposes ReSID, ReSID-FP, and FastSID engine choices where available in the bundled core.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Memory and peripherals
- It supports REU memory up to 16 MB, a virtual printer and modem, paddles, KoalaPad, and Commodore 1351 mouse input.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Network privacy
- When emulated software uses the virtual modem, data may be sent to the remote destination selected by the user.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Optional networking
- Using the virtual modem can transmit data to a remote destination selected by the user, which is independent of POKE64 and may have its own privacy practices.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Payments
- Apple handles payment details for in-app purchases, while POKE64 receives purchase information needed to determine entitlement status.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Peripherals
- The app includes workflows for an IEC printer and virtual modem, plus support for the Commodore 1351 mouse and other control-port devices.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Imported files are stored in app-local storage or locations selected through Apple system interfaces, and the app does not need to upload them to a developer-operated server for emulation.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- POKE64 is a native Commodore 64 emulator experience designed for iPad.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- POKE64 is a native Commodore 64 emulator for iPad built on the VICE x64sc core.checked 8 Oct 2026
- ROMs and software
- POKE64 does not bundle copyrighted Commodore ROMs, proprietary peripheral firmware, or commercial software images.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- During beta, GitHub Issues is the preferred channel for technical reports and reproducible bug reports.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2026checked 28 Sep 2026
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