Provenance
Provenance is a free, open-source retro game emulator frontend for Apple platforms, available for iOS and macOS.
What Provenance is
Provenance is a free, open-source retro game emulator frontend for Apple platforms, available for iOS and macOS. It supports more than 38 console systems, including Atari, Nintendo, Sega, and Sony systems. Its library can display downloaded box art, screenshots, release details, ratings, and scanned manuals. Listed emulation tools include save states, cheats, fast-forward, shaders, visual filters, controller support, RetroAchievements, and multiplayer. Provenance also lists arcade support, online netplay, and shader or upscaling support; a BIOS is required. Apple integrations include native tvOS, Apple TV TopShelf, Siri Remote, Spotlight search, Siri shortcuts, and iCloud sync. Apple TV can use MFi, Xbox, and PlayStation gamepads. The project publishes its BSD-licensed source code on GitHub, and installation options include the App Store, AltStore or SideStore sideloading, and building from source. The free plan includes emulation features when sideloaded or built from source. Plus adds iCloud sync and priority support; it costs $3.99 per month, $39.99 per year, or $99.99 one-time. Family Sharing covers up to six members. Some systems may be limited on certain devices by performance requirements.
Good
- Supports more than 38 console systems.
- Game library can display scanned manuals and ratings.
- Includes save states, cheats, and fast-forward.
- Source code is available under the BSD license.
Watch out
- A BIOS is required.
- Some systems have device performance limitations.
Who it suits
Provenance suits Apple-platform users seeking an emulator frontend for a broad range of retro systems. Users should check whether their device can handle the systems they want to run, and note that a BIOS is required.
Verdict
Provenance combines broad system support with a library of game details and multiple emulation features. Check device limits and plan terms, especially if you need Plus features.
Plans and prices
From Provenance's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | All emulation features · 50+ systems · save states · cheats · fast forward · shaders · controller support · local library |
| Monthly | $3.99 a month | iCloud sync · priority support · Family Sharing · monthly |
| Annual | $39.99 a year | iCloud sync · priority support · Family Sharing · annually |
| Lifetime | $99.99, paid once | iCloud sync · priority support · Family Sharing · one-time |
The facts
Each one read from Provenance's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Apple integration
- The app supports native tvOS, Apple TV TopShelf, Siri Remote, Spotlight search, Siri shortcuts, and iCloud sync.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Apple TV
- Provenance includes a native tvOS app with TopShelf integration and Siri Remote support.checked 15 Oct 2026
What it does
- Build requirements
- Building from source requires macOS 13.5 or later, Xcode 15 or later, iOS/tvOS 16 SDKs and an Apple Developer account.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Cheats
- Game Genie, Action Replay and GameShark cheats are supported across more than 12 native cores and RetroArch cores.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Cloud sync
- Provenance Plus can synchronize libraries, saves, settings, skins, BIOS files and artwork across Apple devices through iCloud.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Controllers
- Apple TV support includes MFi, Xbox, and PlayStation gamepads.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Disc images
- Nearly all CD-based cores support CHD disc images, and its native Mednafen core has a custom CHD implementation.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The community wiki includes installation, importing, controllers, skins, saves, shaders, cheats, multiplayer, RetroAchievements, troubleshooting and contribution guides.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Emulation features
- The maker lists save states, cheats, fast forward, shaders, visual filters, controller support, RetroAchievements, and multiplayer as free emulation features.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Game library
- The library can show automatically downloaded box art, screenshots, release information, ratings, and scanned manuals.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Import methods
- ROMs can be imported through WebDAV, AirDrop, the Files app, Safari downloads and an in-app web server.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Independent beta limitation
- iMore reported that the early beta required Patreon access and initially lacked Apple TV support.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Independent coverage
- iMore reported in April 2024 that Provenance was in TestFlight beta and supported PlayStation, Saturn, Virtual Boy and GameCube, with Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 support being explored.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Installation options
- The maker offers App Store installation, sideloading through AltStore or SideStore, and building from source.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Library management
- The library can automatically fetch box art, screenshots, release information, ratings and scanned manuals.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- The Provenance project uses a permissive custom licence that allows source and binary redistribution with attribution and prohibits commercial use of its branding; bundled cores have separate licences.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: compatibility
- Reviewers say some PlayStation and 3DS games fail to boot or crash, and users request PlayStation 2 support.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: controls
- Reviewers report clunky navigation, limited controller remapping, Joy-Con button mismatches and inaccurate touch input for some layouts.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: stability
- Reviewers report crashes, corrupted save files, lag, slow GameCube performance and occasional sound problems.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Multiplayer
- The documentation describes local multiplayer with up to four controllers.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- The maker says some supported systems have limitations on certain devices due to performance requirements.checked 5 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2016checked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker
- Joseph Mattiello is identified as Provenance's creator and lead developer.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Maker location
- The creator's GitHub profile lists New York, New York as his location.checked 15 Oct 2026
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