iOS

Delta Emulator for iOS - Complete AltStore Installation Guide [2026]

If you own an iPhone and you want to play classic Nintendo games - Game Boy Advance, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS - Delta Emulator is the app you have been looking for. It is completely free, requires no jailbreak, and runs beautifully on any iPhone running iOS 14 or higher. The only question most people have is: how exactly do I install it? Since Delta is not on the official App Store, the installation process is slightly different from a normal app download. But do not let that worry you - it is straightforward, takes under ten minutes, and you only have to do it once.

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App NameDelta Emulator
Versionv2.0 (LiquidGlass)
DeveloperRiley Testut
iOS RequirementiOS 14.0 or higher
Jailbreak RequiredNo
PriceFree
Install MethodAltStore / Direct Install / TestFlight
Last UpdatedJune 2026

Introduction

If you own an iPhone and you want to play classic Nintendo games - Game Boy Advance, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Nintendo DS - Delta Emulator is the app you have been looking for. It is completely free, requires no jailbreak, and runs beautifully on any iPhone running iOS 14 or higher.

The only question most people have is: how exactly do I install it? Since Delta is not on the official App Store, the installation process is slightly different from a normal app download. But do not let that worry you - it is straightforward, takes under ten minutes, and you only have to do it once.

This guide walks you through every installation method available for Delta Emulator on iOS in 2026 - AltStore, Direct Install, and TestFlight - with exact steps, screenshots descriptions, and fixes for the most common problems. By the end of this guide, Delta will be running on your iPhone and you will be playing your first game.

Quick Answer: To install Delta Emulator on iOS without jailbreak - download AltStore on your PC or Mac, connect your iPhone, install Delta through AltStore, then go to Settings → General → VPN and Device Management and Trust the certificate. Done.

What Is AltStore and Why Do You Need It?

Before we get into the steps, it helps to understand what AltStore is and why Delta uses it instead of the App Store.

AltStore is a third-party app store for iOS created by Riley Testut - the same developer who built Delta Emulator. It works by using your Apple ID to sign apps with a developer certificate, then installing them on your device the same way a registered Apple developer would install a test app.

This method is completely legitimate. Apple allows any Apple ID holder to sideload apps this way - it is the same process used by app developers to test their own apps before submitting to the App Store. No hacking, no jailbreak, no system modification involved.

Why is Delta not on the App Store? Apple's App Store guidelines have historically restricted emulator apps that can run downloaded code. In recent years Apple has relaxed some of these rules, but AltStore and Direct Install remain the most reliable ways to get Delta running without dealing with App Store availability in your specific country or iOS version.

AltStore vs AltStore PAL:

Method 1 - AltStore Installation (Most Reliable Method)

This is the recommended method for most users. It gives you the most control and the most stable long-term experience.

What You Need Before Starting

Step 1 - Download AltStore on Your Computer

Go to altstore.io on your PC or Mac and download the correct version for your operating system:

Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. AltStore installs as a small background app that runs in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).

Step 2 - Connect Your iPhone to Your Computer

Use your USB cable to connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac. If prompted on your iPhone, tap Trust This Computer and enter your passcode.

On Windows, make sure iTunes recognises your device - you should see your iPhone appear in iTunes. On Mac (macOS Catalina or later), your device appears in Finder instead.

Step 3 - Install AltStore on Your iPhone

On Windows:

On Mac:

AltStore will now be installed directly onto your iPhone. This takes about 30 seconds.

⚠️ Important: AltStore uses your Apple ID only to sign the app certificate on your device. Your credentials are never sent to AltStore's servers - they go directly to Apple's signing servers. Use a secondary Apple ID if you prefer not to use your main one.

Step 4 - Trust the AltStore Certificate on Your iPhone

On your iPhone, go to:

Settings → General → VPN and Device Management

You will see a certificate listed under Developer App with your Apple ID email. Tap it, then tap Trust [your Apple ID], then tap Trust again on the confirmation popup.

AltStore is now fully trusted on your device. Open it from your home screen.

Step 5 - Sign In to AltStore on Your iPhone

Open AltStore on your iPhone. Tap the Settings tab at the bottom right. Tap Sign In and enter the same Apple ID you used during setup. This links your iPhone's AltStore to your account.

Step 6 - Install Delta Emulator Through AltStore

Make sure your iPhone and computer are both connected to the same Wi-Fi network (AltStore communicates wirelessly after initial setup).

In AltStore on your iPhone:

  1. Tap the Browse tab at the bottom
  2. Find Delta in the app list (it is usually at the top)
  3. Tap the Free or Get button next to Delta
  4. Enter your Apple ID password if prompted
  5. Wait 30 - 60 seconds for Delta to install

Delta Emulator will appear on your iPhone home screen when installation is complete.

Step 7 - Trust Delta's Certificate

Go back to Settings → General → VPN and Device Management and trust Delta's certificate the same way you trusted AltStore in Step 4.

Delta Emulator is now fully installed and ready to use.

Method 2 - Direct Install (Quickest Method - No PC Required)

If you do not have access to a PC or Mac, Direct Install is the fastest way to get Delta on your iPhone. It takes under two minutes and requires only your iPhone.

Step 1 - Open Safari on Your iPhone

Direct Install only works in Safari - it will not work in Chrome, Firefox, or any other browser on iOS. Open Safari specifically.

Step 2 - Visit the Official Delta Installation Page

Navigate to the official Delta installation page. The current direct install link is available at deltaemulator.com or through the AltStore website. Look for the button labelled Direct Install or Install Delta.

Step 3 - Tap Direct Install

When the page loads, tap the Direct Install button. A system popup will appear asking if you want to allow the page to install a configuration profile. Tap Allow.

Step 4 - Install the Profile

iOS will take you automatically to Settings to review the profile. Tap Install in the top right corner. Enter your device passcode when prompted. Tap Install again on the warning screen, then tap Done.

Step 5 - Trust the Enterprise Certificate

Go to Settings → General → VPN and Device Management. Under Enterprise App, find the Delta certificate and tap it. Tap Trust, then tap Trust again to confirm.

Step 6 - Restart Your iPhone

Restart your iPhone when prompted. This completes the trust process.

Step 7 - Launch Delta Emulator

After restarting, find Delta on your home screen and tap to open. The app is fully installed and ready for ROM files.

💡 Note: The Direct Install certificate may be revoked by Apple more frequently than AltStore certificates. If Delta stops opening after a few days, use AltStore for a more stable long-term setup, or reinstall via Direct Install.

Method 3 - AltStore PAL (Most Stable - EU Users and Patreon Supporters)

AltStore PAL is the European Union version of AltStore that was launched following Apple's compliance with EU App Store regulations. It is available to Riley Testut's Patreon supporters worldwide and offers the most stable certificate system of any sideloading method.

What Makes AltStore PAL Different

How to Install via AltStore PAL

Step 1 - Support Riley Testut on Patreon to get access to AltStore PAL outside the EU

Step 2 - Download AltStore PAL from the link provided to Patreon supporters or from the EU App Store if you are in Europe

Step 3 - Open AltStore PAL and go to the Browse tab

Step 4 - Find Delta and tap Get

Step 5 - Delta installs immediately - no trust step required because the certificate is already notarised

This is the smoothest and most reliable installation method available in 2026.

Method 4 - TestFlight (For Beta Access)

TestFlight is Apple's official beta testing platform. Riley Testut occasionally opens TestFlight slots for Delta beta versions.

How to Install via TestFlight

Step 1 - Download TestFlight from the App Store (it is an official Apple app, completely free)

Step 2 - When TestFlight beta slots for Delta are open, Riley Testut posts the invite link on his Twitter/X account (@rileytestut) and the AltStore Discord

Step 3 - Tap the invite link on your iPhone - it opens in TestFlight automatically

Step 4 - Tap Accept and then Install

Step 5 - Delta installs through TestFlight with no certificate trust required - it is signed by Apple directly

Step 6 - TestFlight betas expire after 90 days, but are renewed when new beta versions are released

💡 Note: TestFlight slots for popular apps fill up quickly. Follow @rileytestut on X and join the AltStore Discord to get notified the moment new slots open.

How to Add ROM Files to Delta Emulator After Installing

Installing Delta is only step one - you also need to add ROM files to actually play games. Here are the three main ways to do this.

Option A - Import from Files App or Cloud Storage

  1. Download your ROM file to your iPhone's Files app, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, or Dropbox
  2. Open the Files app and navigate to your ROM file
  3. Long-press the file and tap Share
  4. Tap Open with Delta from the share sheet
  5. Delta imports the game and adds it to your library automatically

Option B - Use Delta's Built-in Browser

  1. Open Delta and tap the + button in the top right corner of your library
  2. Select Web Browser
  3. Search for and download your ROM directly within Delta's browser
  4. Delta detects the downloaded file and imports it automatically

Option C - Import via iTunes or Finder (PC or Mac)

  1. Download the ROM file to your computer
  2. Connect your iPhone via USB
  3. Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) and select your device
  4. Navigate to File Sharing → Delta
  5. Drag your ROM files into the Delta window
  6. Open Delta on your iPhone - the games appear in your library

How to Refresh AltStore to Prevent Certificate Expiry

Apple's free developer certificates expire every 7 days. If you do not refresh before expiry, Delta will stop opening. Here is how to keep it active.

Manual Refresh (Every 7 Days)

  1. Make sure your iPhone and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network
  2. Open AltStore on your iPhone
  3. Go to the My Apps tab
  4. Tap the circular refresh icon or pull down to refresh
  5. AltStore will renew all installed app certificates - takes about 10 seconds

Automatic Refresh via AltStore Background Refresh

  1. In AltStore on your iPhone, go to Settings
  2. Enable Background Refresh
  3. AltStore will automatically attempt to refresh certificates while your phone and computer are on the same network

Using AltStore PAL to Avoid This Entirely

AltStore PAL's notarised certificate does not expire every 7 days. If certificate management is frustrating, upgrading to AltStore PAL through Patreon eliminates this issue completely.

Common AltStore Installation Problems and Fixes

"Could Not Install AltStore" Error on PC or Mac

Delta Stops Opening After a Few Days

This means your certificate expired before you refreshed it.

"AltStore is Not Running" Error

Delta Opens But Shows "Untrusted Developer"

AltStore Cannot Find My iPhone

Profile Installation Fails During Direct Install

How to Set Up iCloud Sync in Delta Emulator

iCloud sync lets you continue your game saves on any Apple device. Here is how to enable it:

  1. On your iPhone go to Settings → Your Name → iCloud → iCloud Drive and make sure it is turned on
  2. Scroll through the app list and find Delta - toggle it on
  3. Open Delta on your iPhone
  4. Go to Settings inside Delta (tap the gear icon)
  5. Tap Syncing and then tap Enable Syncing
  6. Sign in with your iCloud account when prompted
  7. Delta will begin syncing your game library and saves to iCloud immediately

To sync on a second device (iPad or another iPhone), repeat steps 1 - 7 on that device using the same iCloud account. Your saves and library will appear automatically.

How to Install Controller Skins in Delta Emulator

Delta includes default controller skins for every system, but thousands of community-created skins are available to customise your experience.

Installing a New Controller Skin

Method 1 - From Safari:

  1. Find a Delta controller skin file (.deltaskin format) from a trusted community source
  2. Tap the download link in Safari
  3. When prompted, tap Open with Delta
  4. The skin is automatically added to your skin collection

Method 2 - From Files App:

  1. Download the .deltaskin file to your Files app
  2. Long-press the file and tap Share
  3. Tap Open with Delta
  4. The skin is added instantly

Applying a Controller Skin

  1. Open Delta and start any game
  2. Pause the game and tap the gear icon
  3. Tap Controller Skins
  4. Select the system (GBA, SNES, N64, etc.)
  5. Choose Portrait or Landscape mode
  6. Tap your preferred skin to apply it

Adjusting Controller Opacity

  1. Open Delta Settings from the pause menu
  2. Find Controller Opacity
  3. Use the slider to make the virtual controller more or less transparent
  4. This setting applies to all default skins - custom skins may have fixed opacity

Delta Emulator iOS - Frequently Asked Questions

Does Delta Emulator work on iPhone without jailbreak?

Yes. Delta installs on any iPhone running iOS 14 or higher without jailbreaking. Use AltStore, Direct Install, or TestFlight - all legitimate, non-jailbreak methods.

Why does Delta keep getting revoked?

Apple revokes sideloaded app certificates periodically as part of their platform security. Free developer certificates expire every 7 days. Open AltStore and refresh your apps before they expire to prevent this. AltStore PAL users on Patreon have a notarised certificate that is significantly more stable.

Do I need to keep AltStore on my iPhone permanently?

Yes - AltStore needs to remain installed to refresh Delta's certificate every 7 days. You can delete the AltStore desktop app from your PC or Mac after initial setup, but keep AltStore on your iPhone.

Can I install Delta without a computer?

Yes - use the Direct Install method described in Method 2 above. Open Safari on your iPhone, go to the official Delta installation page, tap Direct Install, and follow the prompts. No computer needed.

What happens if I delete Delta - do I lose my saves?

If you have iCloud sync enabled, your saves are backed up to iCloud and will restore when you reinstall. If iCloud sync was not enabled, local saves are deleted when you delete the app. Always enable iCloud sync before deleting.

Is AltStore safe to use?

Yes. AltStore is created by Riley Testut, a well-known and trusted iOS developer. The code is open source and publicly available on GitHub. AltStore uses your Apple ID only to sign certificates directly with Apple's servers - your credentials are never sent to AltStore's own servers.

Can I use Delta on multiple iPhones with the same Apple ID?

A free Apple developer certificate allows up to 3 apps to be installed per Apple ID at a time. If you want to install Delta on more than 3 devices, you need separate Apple IDs for additional devices, or use AltStore PAL which has different limits.

Does Delta Emulator support iPhone and iPad?

Yes. Delta runs on iPhone (6s or newer), iPad (5th generation or newer), Mac with Apple Silicon (macOS 11+), and Apple Vision Pro (visionOS 1.0+). The iPad version opens games in separate windows by default as of v2.0.

How do I update Delta to a new version?

Open AltStore on your iPhone while connected to the same network as your computer. Go to My Apps, and if an update is available for Delta, an Update button will appear. Tap it. Your saves and settings are preserved during updates.

Which installation method is the most stable?

AltStore PAL (via Patreon) is the most stable because it uses a notarised certificate. AltStore (free) is the second most stable with regular 7-day refreshes. Direct Install is the quickest but has the most frequent revocation issues.

Conclusion

Installing Delta Emulator on your iPhone is easier than it looks. Whether you use AltStore for full control, Direct Install for a quick setup without a computer, or AltStore PAL for the most stable long-term experience - you will have Delta running in under ten minutes.

Once it is installed, the experience is seamless. A clean, iOS-native interface, seven gaming systems, iCloud sync, controller support, save states, cheat codes, and RetroAchievements - all completely free on your iPhone with no jailbreak required.

Follow the steps in this guide, add your ROM files, and start playing today.