5 ms·

One question not obviously answered on the site: What's on here to make it worth the trouble?

codetheweb 4y ago
The main thing is Delta, an excellent game emulator: https://github.com/rileytestut/Delta https://github.com/rileytestut/Delta
- sedatk 4y ago
  Actually, it's why AltStore was written.
  - thih9 4y ago
    Is console emulation on a smartphone a good user experience? I’d love to hear more from someone who does that. I’m worried about battery drain, lack of hardware keys (or the need to carry a gamepad) as well as being interrupted by notifications. I’m likely spoiled by nintendo switch; and there are also dedicated console emulation devices, they seem interesting too.
    - domh 4y ago
      I recently replayed most of Pokemon Fire Red in RetroArch on my android phone (installed via f-droid). It worked surprisingly well! I only stopped because I bought a dedicated device to do so (Anbernic RG35XX, which is also fantastic). So in a pinch, console emulation on a smartphone, especially for older consoles like Gameboy Advance, works very well. To get around the on-screen buttons, I ended up connecting my ps5 controller via Bluetooth which worked amazingly straight out of the box with zero configuration.
    - pohuing 4y ago
      I can play Wind Waker on my Pixel 4a, a mid level phone from a couple years ago. I imagine if apple could be arsed to open their stupid ban on jits you could emulate switch titles without a hitch on iPhones. You probably still want a game pad for any 3d titles tho, on Gameboy on screen inputs are fine but the lack of precision can be really annoying to get over. Fortunately the xbox controllers work out of the box with dolphin.
      - kaba0 4y ago
        AltStore has an option to (temporarily) enable JITs on a per app basis. JIT is not disabled on the hardware level, safari does use it for JS for example. Just ordinary AppStore apps can’t do so. Also, in my experience with Delta playing some of the Pokemon games, I noticed no difference between the non-JIT and JIT-ted versions.
        pohuing 4y ago
        I see, the last time I looked into this was shortly after apple closed the last known jailbreak options and before they allowed jits in some circumstances. The lack of a speed difference I assume is down to the fact that delta supports some pretty weak consoles which you could emulate in a browser. Dolphin's jit vs interpreter vs cached interpreter in for example Wind Waker is a 10-40x speed improvement on my phone.
    - slikrick 4y ago
      a lot of gamepads plug in to the lightning or USB c port like the razer kishi. iphones especially have good SoCs for emulation, but modern android is really good as well barring high level GPU driver bugs occasionally
    - noirscape 4y ago
      Anything portable has always emulated well (or at least have since 2012). Virtual buttons exist for the gamepads of older devices (NES-derived layouts generally look pretty good, so NES/SNES/GB/GBC/GBA emulates well). The 3D home consoles tend to be a bit more dependent on the game (early 3D games have some pretty shitty button mappings in general and that's only amplified when emulating with virtual buttons). As for emulation quality; handhelds emulate really well. Consoles made after 2000 are a bit of a toss-up at times, but generally also work decent. As for battery drain; not an issue with handheld/old system emulation. Can't speak to home console emulation sorry.
    - josh_p 4y ago
      I've used Delta both with a gamepad (Backbone) and just with the touch screen to play a few Gameboy Advance games. I have an iPhone 12 Pro Max. The experience was super nice both ways. The touch screen interface is essentially the shape of the gameboy or whatever Nintendo console you're emulating and is responsive and works the way you expect it to. The Backbone connects automatically and just works. If you want, you can remap the buttons. The annoying thing about having to use Delta and Altstore is the need to keep AltServer running on my desktop or laptop. Frequently, my phone would be unable to find the running instance the only way to refresh the app (required every 7 days) would be to connect with a wire to my desktop or laptop. When it worked, it was great. But when it didn't, I was annoyed. That said, it does have cloud sync with various services and it does work well.
    - fetus8 4y ago
      While travelling, being able to have a rather large library of classic games to play, while using the device that I'm already carrying is a huge benefit. While I wish emulation on iOS was a little easier, using Delta/AltStore is not difficult or anything. I've carried a Backbone with me and played a ton of GBA games with touchscreen controls and the backbone, and it's pretty great, depending on the game. Carrying the backbone is a lot smaller than a Nintendo Switch or one of the many larger screened android emulation devices that are now available. This is all up to personal preference obviously, but having one less device to carry is a big plus for me. Game emulation is the one thing that makes me question whether or not it's time to ditch iOS and just get an Android for my daily driver...
- _cenw 4y ago
  I never got the appeal. I installed RetroArch on my iPad instead.
WirelessGigabit 4y ago
Basically any app that is not allowed in the app store because it uses internal APIs, or does things not allowed by Apple. For example a PornHub viewer. Would never be allowed. Or a torrent manager.
- runjake 4y ago
  There were literally only a few apps I could see listed amongst AltStore sources I saw. Where else are you finding all these apps you seem to be alluding to?
  - daveidol 4y ago
    Check out https://iosninja.io/ipa-library https://iosninja.io/ipa-library and https://appdb.to https://appdb.to
    - dewey 4y ago
      Based on these the main selling point seems to be pirated apps and content.
      - daveidol 4y ago
        That’s certainly one of them. For me it’s more like having browser extensions in your native apps. Ad blocking, feature enhancements, etc. For example: there is no “Instagram Premium” I can even pay for to remove ads. But with this there is. As well as some apps that are just off limits for the App Store, like emulators.
    - runjake 4y ago
      Thanks. I figured I was missing something!
hedora 4y ago
This list of other emulators looks promising: https://www.reddit.com/r/AltStore/comments/p4ih1f/my_preferred_emulators_all_loaded_through/ https://www.reddit.com/r/AltStore/comments/p4ih1f/my_preferr... I wonder if there's any chance of getting modern Linux on my M1 iPad at near-native speed.
- zamadatix 4y ago
  According to https://docs.getutm.app/installation/ios/ https://docs.getutm.app/installation/ios/ UTM.HV.ipa with TrollStore should give you Hypervisor (i.e. native virtualization, not JIT or interpreter) and USB support. I haven't had an M1 iPad to try it out but videos suggest that particular combination is speedy, outside GPU acceleration of course.
  - nug 4y ago
    I have a M1 iPad Pro, running Windows 11 on that Version of UTM. It runs surprisingly well. I was able to use the desktop Version of Photoshop without any Problems (even more demanding filters). I even was able to run rekordbox and connect my DJ Mixer to it so USB also seems to be working great.
Gigachad 4y ago
There is an app called UTM which allows running full VMs which could be useful for an iPad with a keyboard.
- MuffinFlavored 4y ago
  how is performance?
  - Gigachad 4y ago
    If you run an ARM OS in it, the performance is great. If you run an x86 one it’s unusable.
    - easton 4y ago
      That still needs the Virtualization entitlement on iOS which I thought you couldn’t get if you’re outside Apple, unless you’re jailbroken and can work around the signing requirement. Otherwise UTM runs emulating the OS and is slow as Christmas.
      - Gigachad 4y ago
        Ah you are probably right, I remembered that being gated behind something but I assumed it was the altstore which was the thing you had to do for full virtualisation.
    - MuffinFlavored 4y ago
      > If you run an ARM OS in it Only arm64/aarch64 operating systems I know are GNU/Linux or Mac OS X. I doubt the iPad is strong enough to run a usable Mac OS X virtual machine, and I don't see a ton of value running either a Linux distribution as CLI ("headless") or with a GUI on an iPad as an app in a window?
      - Gigachad 4y ago
        Even the base tier ipad is more powerful than a raspberry pi which is more than enough for a gui linux. The ipad pro contains the same chip as the macbooks and comes with 8gb/16gb ram options. It's more powerful than the average Windows laptop.
pugworthy 4y ago
How hard could it be to just post a list of what's available via the service?
- jhugo 4y ago
  That wouldn't drive installs of the Altstore app, though!
pugworthy 4y ago
How hard could it be to just post a list of what's available via the service? Even the lists being shared are pretty vague in terms of app descriptions. Some look downright sketchy. I mean, what exactly is the value prop here?
- redcitylights 4y ago
  You can sideload any app with this if you can get ahold of the .ipa file.
patrickk 4y ago
https://github.com/qnblackcat/uYouPlus https://github.com/qnblackcat/uYouPlus
favaq 4y ago
Spotify and YouTube premium for free, in my case.
- tinus_hn 4y ago
  So copyright infringement. Really a poor argument against Apples policies. People should upload an app that allows you to bypass the regional limitations on 5ghz WiFi and see what the EU thinks about banning app stores then. Because according to the typical regulator it’s bad when others impose limits, but not when they impose limits.
  - slikrick 4y ago
    copyright infringement doesn't exist in the same form everywhere, I don't think a phone should have a single monopolized app store just to prevent US based copyright infringement.
    - tinus_hn 4y ago
      In other news, the DMCA type rules do not apply to the whole internet and the Berne convention is just a fiction that stands in the way of the glorious EU forcing Apple to open their App Store.
      - smoldesu 4y ago
        The free transmission of information should usually triumph over the enforcement of intellectual property. It's a symbol of a healthy democracy, in my opinion.
        tinus_hn 4y ago
        If you want to argue the abolition of copyright that’s fine but it’s revolutionary and not the subject of this thread.
        4y ago
cvak 4y ago
For me - KODI , I hate that I have to use files app, and VLC to watch my videos from dropbox, and other sources. And any form of torrent client.

The main thing is Delta, an excellent game emulator: https://github.com/rileytestut/Delta https://github.com/rileytestut/Delta

sedatk 4y ago
Actually, it's why AltStore was written.
- thih9 4y ago
  Is console emulation on a smartphone a good user experience? I’d love to hear more from someone who does that. I’m worried about battery drain, lack of hardware keys (or the need to carry a gamepad) as well as being interrupted by notifications. I’m likely spoiled by nintendo switch; and there are also dedicated console emulation devices, they seem interesting too.
  - domh 4y ago
    I recently replayed most of Pokemon Fire Red in RetroArch on my android phone (installed via f-droid). It worked surprisingly well! I only stopped because I bought a dedicated device to do so (Anbernic RG35XX, which is also fantastic). So in a pinch, console emulation on a smartphone, especially for older consoles like Gameboy Advance, works very well. To get around the on-screen buttons, I ended up connecting my ps5 controller via Bluetooth which worked amazingly straight out of the box with zero configuration.
  - pohuing 4y ago
    I can play Wind Waker on my Pixel 4a, a mid level phone from a couple years ago. I imagine if apple could be arsed to open their stupid ban on jits you could emulate switch titles without a hitch on iPhones. You probably still want a game pad for any 3d titles tho, on Gameboy on screen inputs are fine but the lack of precision can be really annoying to get over. Fortunately the xbox controllers work out of the box with dolphin.
    - kaba0 4y ago
      AltStore has an option to (temporarily) enable JITs on a per app basis. JIT is not disabled on the hardware level, safari does use it for JS for example. Just ordinary AppStore apps can’t do so. Also, in my experience with Delta playing some of the Pokemon games, I noticed no difference between the non-JIT and JIT-ted versions.
      - pohuing 4y ago
        I see, the last time I looked into this was shortly after apple closed the last known jailbreak options and before they allowed jits in some circumstances. The lack of a speed difference I assume is down to the fact that delta supports some pretty weak consoles which you could emulate in a browser. Dolphin's jit vs interpreter vs cached interpreter in for example Wind Waker is a 10-40x speed improvement on my phone.
  - slikrick 4y ago
    a lot of gamepads plug in to the lightning or USB c port like the razer kishi. iphones especially have good SoCs for emulation, but modern android is really good as well barring high level GPU driver bugs occasionally
  - noirscape 4y ago
    Anything portable has always emulated well (or at least have since 2012). Virtual buttons exist for the gamepads of older devices (NES-derived layouts generally look pretty good, so NES/SNES/GB/GBC/GBA emulates well). The 3D home consoles tend to be a bit more dependent on the game (early 3D games have some pretty shitty button mappings in general and that's only amplified when emulating with virtual buttons). As for emulation quality; handhelds emulate really well. Consoles made after 2000 are a bit of a toss-up at times, but generally also work decent. As for battery drain; not an issue with handheld/old system emulation. Can't speak to home console emulation sorry.
  - josh_p 4y ago
    I've used Delta both with a gamepad (Backbone) and just with the touch screen to play a few Gameboy Advance games. I have an iPhone 12 Pro Max. The experience was super nice both ways. The touch screen interface is essentially the shape of the gameboy or whatever Nintendo console you're emulating and is responsive and works the way you expect it to. The Backbone connects automatically and just works. If you want, you can remap the buttons. The annoying thing about having to use Delta and Altstore is the need to keep AltServer running on my desktop or laptop. Frequently, my phone would be unable to find the running instance the only way to refresh the app (required every 7 days) would be to connect with a wire to my desktop or laptop. When it worked, it was great. But when it didn't, I was annoyed. That said, it does have cloud sync with various services and it does work well.
  - fetus8 4y ago
    While travelling, being able to have a rather large library of classic games to play, while using the device that I'm already carrying is a huge benefit. While I wish emulation on iOS was a little easier, using Delta/AltStore is not difficult or anything. I've carried a Backbone with me and played a ton of GBA games with touchscreen controls and the backbone, and it's pretty great, depending on the game. Carrying the backbone is a lot smaller than a Nintendo Switch or one of the many larger screened android emulation devices that are now available. This is all up to personal preference obviously, but having one less device to carry is a big plus for me. Game emulation is the one thing that makes me question whether or not it's time to ditch iOS and just get an Android for my daily driver...
_cenw 4y ago
I never got the appeal. I installed RetroArch on my iPad instead.

WirelessGigabit 4y ago

Basically any app that is not allowed in the app store because it uses internal APIs, or does things not allowed by Apple. For example a PornHub viewer. Would never be allowed. Or a torrent manager.

runjake 4y ago
There were literally only a few apps I could see listed amongst AltStore sources I saw. Where else are you finding all these apps you seem to be alluding to?
- daveidol 4y ago
  Check out https://iosninja.io/ipa-library https://iosninja.io/ipa-library and https://appdb.to https://appdb.to
  - dewey 4y ago
    Based on these the main selling point seems to be pirated apps and content.
    - daveidol 4y ago
      That’s certainly one of them. For me it’s more like having browser extensions in your native apps. Ad blocking, feature enhancements, etc. For example: there is no “Instagram Premium” I can even pay for to remove ads. But with this there is. As well as some apps that are just off limits for the App Store, like emulators.
  - runjake 4y ago
    Thanks. I figured I was missing something!

hedora 4y ago

This list of other emulators looks promising: https://www.reddit.com/r/AltStore/comments/p4ih1f/my_preferred_emulators_all_loaded_through/ https://www.reddit.com/r/AltStore/comments/p4ih1f/my_preferr... I wonder if there's any chance of getting modern Linux on my M1 iPad at near-native speed.

zamadatix 4y ago
According to https://docs.getutm.app/installation/ios/ https://docs.getutm.app/installation/ios/ UTM.HV.ipa with TrollStore should give you Hypervisor (i.e. native virtualization, not JIT or interpreter) and USB support. I haven't had an M1 iPad to try it out but videos suggest that particular combination is speedy, outside GPU acceleration of course.
- nug 4y ago
  I have a M1 iPad Pro, running Windows 11 on that Version of UTM. It runs surprisingly well. I was able to use the desktop Version of Photoshop without any Problems (even more demanding filters). I even was able to run rekordbox and connect my DJ Mixer to it so USB also seems to be working great.

Gigachad 4y ago

There is an app called UTM which allows running full VMs which could be useful for an iPad with a keyboard.

MuffinFlavored 4y ago
how is performance?
- Gigachad 4y ago
  If you run an ARM OS in it, the performance is great. If you run an x86 one it’s unusable.
  - easton 4y ago
    That still needs the Virtualization entitlement on iOS which I thought you couldn’t get if you’re outside Apple, unless you’re jailbroken and can work around the signing requirement. Otherwise UTM runs emulating the OS and is slow as Christmas.
    - Gigachad 4y ago
      Ah you are probably right, I remembered that being gated behind something but I assumed it was the altstore which was the thing you had to do for full virtualisation.
  - MuffinFlavored 4y ago
    > If you run an ARM OS in it Only arm64/aarch64 operating systems I know are GNU/Linux or Mac OS X. I doubt the iPad is strong enough to run a usable Mac OS X virtual machine, and I don't see a ton of value running either a Linux distribution as CLI ("headless") or with a GUI on an iPad as an app in a window?
    - Gigachad 4y ago
      Even the base tier ipad is more powerful than a raspberry pi which is more than enough for a gui linux. The ipad pro contains the same chip as the macbooks and comes with 8gb/16gb ram options. It's more powerful than the average Windows laptop.

pugworthy 4y ago

How hard could it be to just post a list of what's available via the service?

jhugo 4y ago
That wouldn't drive installs of the Altstore app, though!

pugworthy 4y ago

How hard could it be to just post a list of what's available via the service? Even the lists being shared are pretty vague in terms of app descriptions. Some look downright sketchy. I mean, what exactly is the value prop here?

redcitylights 4y ago
You can sideload any app with this if you can get ahold of the .ipa file.

patrickk 4y ago

https://github.com/qnblackcat/uYouPlus https://github.com/qnblackcat/uYouPlus

favaq 4y ago

Spotify and YouTube premium for free, in my case.

tinus_hn 4y ago
So copyright infringement. Really a poor argument against Apples policies. People should upload an app that allows you to bypass the regional limitations on 5ghz WiFi and see what the EU thinks about banning app stores then. Because according to the typical regulator it’s bad when others impose limits, but not when they impose limits.
- slikrick 4y ago
  copyright infringement doesn't exist in the same form everywhere, I don't think a phone should have a single monopolized app store just to prevent US based copyright infringement.
  - tinus_hn 4y ago
    In other news, the DMCA type rules do not apply to the whole internet and the Berne convention is just a fiction that stands in the way of the glorious EU forcing Apple to open their App Store.
    - smoldesu 4y ago
      The free transmission of information should usually triumph over the enforcement of intellectual property. It's a symbol of a healthy democracy, in my opinion.
      - tinus_hn 4y ago
        If you want to argue the abolition of copyright that’s fine but it’s revolutionary and not the subject of this thread.
        4y ago

cvak 4y ago

For me - KODI , I hate that I have to use files app, and VLC to watch my videos from dropbox, and other sources. And any form of torrent client.