DolphiniOS iPhone Setup Guide — Play GameCube and Wii Games on iOS 2026

Step 1 — Install AltStore on your iPhone

DolphiniOS requires AltStore, a free alternative app installer for iOS. Install AltServer on your PC or Mac, connect your iPhone via USB, and install AltStore from the AltServer menu. You must open AltStore at least once every 7 days (while connected to the same Wi-Fi as AltServer) to keep the certificate valid.

Step 2 — Add the DolphiniOS source in AltStore

1. Open AltStore on your iPhone and go to the Browse tab.
2. Tap Sources (top right) → + and add the DolphiniOS source URL (check dolphinios.com for the current address — the source URL has changed after takedown notices and is listed on the official site).
3. Return to Browse → find DolphiniOS → tap Get. AltStore signs and installs the IPA using your Apple ID developer certificate.

Step 3 — Enable JIT for full performance

JIT is essential: without it DolphiniOS runs at roughly 30–50% speed. To enable JIT after launching the app:

1. Switch back to AltStore while DolphiniOS is running in the background.
2. Tap My Apps → long-press DolphiniOS → tap Enable JIT.
3. Return to DolphiniOS — performance should jump immediately. You must repeat this each time you launch the app from a cold start.

On iOS 17.4+ in the EU, JIT can be enabled automatically through the AltStore EU Marketplace without needing a PC nearby.

Three ways to get JIT on DolphiniOS — choose by your situation:

• AltJIT via AltStore (recommended, free): requires your PC or Mac running AltServer on the same Wi-Fi network. Works reliably; you just need to tap "Enable JIT" in AltStore after each app launch. Most users choose this path.
• SideJIT / SideStore: SideStore is an AltStore alternative that can enable JIT without the AltServer PC companion. More convenient if you don't want a PC nearby, but setup is slightly more involved. Search "SideStore iOS" for the current install guide.
• JIT-less mode: DolphiniOS includes a software interpreter that runs without JIT. Expect 30–50% of normal speed — playable only on the lightest GameCube titles (e.g. Pikmin, early 2D-heavy games) on an A17 Pro or M-series chip. Wii games are generally too slow without JIT.

Not supported: standard App Store distribution (Apple revoked DolphiniOS from the store following Nintendo legal pressure in 2024). The AltStore path above is the legitimate and current method.

Recommended settings after install:

In DolphiniOS → Settings → Graphics:

• Backend: Metal — always use Metal on iOS; OpenGL is not available.
• Internal Resolution:
  • A14 / A15: 1× (480p) — native resolution, stable performance.
  • A16 / A17 / M1–M2: 2× (960p) — significant visual improvement, playable on most titles.
  • A17 Pro / M3–M4: 3× or 4× — for demanding titles test at 2× first.
• Synchronize GPU Thread: ON — reduces crashes on Metal.
• Skip EFB Copies to RAM: ON — improves framerate; off only if you see missing effects.

In Settings → General:

• CPU Override Clock: 100% (default) — raise to 150% only if a specific game runs slow despite JIT; lowers battery life.
• Dual Core: ON — required for Wii performance; may cause minor audio glitches on a few titles.

GameCube vs Wii performance reality (with JIT enabled):

• GameCube: A14+ runs most titles at 60 fps.
• Wii: A16+ needed for consistent 30 fps on demanding titles (Mario Galaxy, Skyward Sword). A17 Pro / M-series chips run Wii at 60 fps on most games.

Controller setup:

1. Go to iOS Settings → Bluetooth and pair your controller (Xbox, DualSense, 8BitDo, or MFi controllers all work).
2. In DolphiniOS → Settings → Controllers, set Controller 1 to MFi Gamepad (covers Xbox/PlayStation/8BitDo via MFi protocol).
3. For Wii games, set Controller 1 to Emulated Wiimote and map buttons manually — there is no physical motion control on iOS, so motion-heavy games like Wii Sports require the on-screen tilt/motion fallback.

Save states and GameCube Memory Card:

• Save states work as normal (pause → Save State).
• For in-game saves, DolphiniOS creates a virtual Memory Card automatically. Files are stored in the DolphiniOS documents folder (accessible via Files app → On My iPhone → DolphiniOS → GC).
• To transfer saves from a PC Dolphin install: copy GC/USA/Card A.raw (or EUR/JAP) into the same folder via Files app.

Common issues:

• "JIT not enabled" notification at launch / slow speed: Switch to AltStore, tap My Apps → long-press DolphiniOS → Enable JIT, then return to DolphiniOS.
• Black screen on game launch: Most often a wrong region ROM. DolphiniOS supports USA/EUR/JAP GameCube ISOs and Wii ISOs in .iso, .gcm, .rvz, .wbfs formats. Compressed .rvz is recommended (smaller, fast).
• Certificate expired / "DolphiniOS cannot be opened": Open AltStore → My Apps → tap the refresh button. Requires PC with AltServer on same Wi-Fi.
• App crashes after iOS update: iOS updates sometimes break the sideload certificate. Reinstall DolphiniOS via AltStore (your saves and settings are preserved in the Files folder).
• Wii game stuck at black screen after Wii Health screen: Enable Skip NAND Access in Settings → Wii, or set Wii system language to match your game region.

For GameCube/Wii emulation on Android, see Dolphin Android setup guide. For more iOS emulators, see Best emulator for iPhone 2026.