emuThreeDS
github.com
What it is
emuThreeDS is a free, open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator for Apple devices, based on Citra and supported on iOS. The project describes core support as basically complete but still requiring testing. Audio support is described as complete after removing cubeb and updating SoundTouch. Video Core no longer crashes, although it also needs testing following a filesystem rewrite. The app creates Citra’s folder in its Documents directory, accessible through Files.app. Controllers should remain supported through SDL2, while input common needs rewriting for iOS. Metal and Core::System code was moved to Objective-C++ and Swift, removing SDL2 from that graphics code. The port replaced pthread_jit_write_np with mprotect, a change the maintainer says needs further investigation. Shader compilation appears faster, though it was not timed. The project reports no changes to networking, dedicated room, or web service components, and the repository shows no releases or packages.
Spec sheet
- Product
- emuThreeDS describes itself as a Nintendo 3DS emulator for Apple devices based on Citra.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Audio
- The project says audio support is complete and notes that it removed cubeb and updated SoundTouch.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Controllers
- The README says controllers should still be supported via SDL2.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Core
- The README describes core support as basically complete but still requiring testing.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Dedicated room
- The README reports no changes to dedicated room yet.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Dedicated room status
- The project reports that no changes have been made to its dedicated room component.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Distribution
- The opened repository page lists no releases or packages.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Files
- The app creates Citra’s folder in the Files-accessible Documents directory.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Filesystem
- The project says Citra's folder is created in the app's Documents directory, accessible through Files.app.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Graphics
- Metal and Core::System code has been moved to Objective-C++ and Swift, removing the need for SDL2 in that code.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Graphics implementation
- The README says Metal and Core::System& code was moved to Objective-C++ and Swift, removing the need for SDL2 for that code.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Input
- The README says controllers should still be supported via SDL2, while input common needs rewriting for iOS.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- JIT memory
- The port replaced pthread_jit_write_np with mprotect, which the maintainer says needs further investigation.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Network status
- The project reports that no changes have been made to its network component.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Networking
- The README reports no changes to networking yet.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Shader compilation
- The README says Video Core appears to compile shaders faster, though this was not timed.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Support status
- The README identifies core and video support as requiring testing.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Video
- The README says Video Core no longer crashes but still needs testing after the filesystem rewrite.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Web service
- The README reports no changes to the web service yet.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Web service status
- The project reports that no changes have been made to its web service component.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free and open source
- Supports iOS
- Audio support described as complete
- Citra folder accessible through Files.app
- Controllers should work via SDL2
Limits
- Core support still requires testing
- Video Core requires testing
- Input common needs rewriting for iOS
- No releases or packages listed
Who it suits
It suits iOS users seeking an open-source Citra-based 3DS emulator. It is for readers comfortable with a project whose core and video support still require testing.
Verdict
emuThreeDS provides an iOS-focused Citra port with completed audio work and a Files-accessible game-data folder. Its unfinished testing, unchanged network-related components, and lack of published releases make project status important to weigh.
Where Specifiction places it
- Nintendo 3DS Emulators#12 of 146.9
