---
title: "How to Apply a ROM Hack — IPS, BPS, UPS and xdelta Patch Guide 2026"
canonical_url: https://emudesk.com/issues/how-to-apply-rom-hack-ips-bps-ups-patch-guide
content_locale: en
source_locale: en
entity_type: issue
index_status: index
published_at: 2026-08-31T18:22:23.000Z
updated_at: 2026-09-01T00:45:02.406Z
freshness_status: fresh
---

# How to Apply a ROM Hack — IPS, BPS, UPS and xdelta Patch Guide 2026

I downloaded a ROM hack or fan translation and I have a .ips, .bps, or .ups patch file. How do I apply it to my ROM? The patch file on its own doesn't work as a game — I need to combine it with my own ROM backup, but I'm not sure which tool to use or which ROM version the patch expects.

Important legal note: ROM patching requires you to apply the patch to your own legally-owned ROM backup. Patch files themselves contain no game content — they are just a list of byte changes. Distributing pre-patched ROMs is copyright infringement. The tools and sites in this guide distribute only patches, never pre-patched ROMs.