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MeloNX

melonx.org

Free plan Open source iOS
Visit melonx.org
Spec score 8.3 #6 of 20 in Nintendo Switch Emulators

What it is

MeloNX is a free, open-source Nintendo Switch emulator for iPhone and iPad, based on Ryujinx and licensed under GPLv3. It needs JIT to run but does not require a jailbreak. The recommended installation uses PlumeImpactor to sideload its IPA, with SideStore as an optional on-device method. The maker recommends iPhone 15 Pro or newer and certain iPad Pro and iPad Air models; listed minimum-compatible devices are iPhone 6s with a paid developer account and iPhone 12 with a free developer account. Users add encryption keys and firmware through the in-app picker, while commercial games require legally dumped firmware, keys and purchased games. Audio output works, but microphone input does not. Controls include keyboard, touch, JoyCon and nearly all MFI controllers; JoyCon motion is unavailable due to an iOS limitation. DLC and updates are supported, mods are unsupported, and graphics use Metal through MoltenVK.

Spec sheet

What it does
MeloNX emulates Nintendo Switch games on iPhone and iPad without requiring a jailbreak.Read 15 Oct 2026 · melonx.org
Purpose
MeloNX is an open-source Nintendo Switch emulator for iPhone and iPad, based on Ryujinx.Read 8 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Support
The maker links to a Discord server for the project.Read 8 Oct 2026 · melonx.org
License
The project states that its software is licensed under GPLv3.Read 8 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Architecture
The project is an iOS emulator based on Ryujinx and written mainly in C# and Swift.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Audio
Audio output is supported through OpenAL wrappers with SDL2 and libsoundio fallbacks, while microphone input is unsupported.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Bundled licenses
The project says it incorporates libvpx under BSD terms and FFmpeg under LGPLv3 terms.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Compatible devices
The maker lists iPhone 6s with a paid developer account and iPhone 12 with a free developer account as the lowest compatible devices.Read 8 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Configuration
Settings include logging controls, controller remapping, resolution options and shader-cache controls.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Controller support
Input includes keyboard, touch, Joy-Con and nearly all MFi controllers, with rumble generally supported.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Controls
The emulator supports keyboard, touch, JoyCon, and nearly all MFI controllers; JoyCon motion support is unavailable due to an iOS limitation.Read 8 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
CPU emulation
Its ARMv8 CPU emulator translates guest instructions through an intermediate representation and supports several memory-manager modes plus persistent translation caching.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Dependencies
Credits identify Ryujinx, LibHac, AmiiboAPI, ldn_mitm and ShellLink as project components or dependencies.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Device requirements
The maker lists iPhone 15 Pro or newer and certain iPad Pro and iPad Air models as recommended devices.Read 8 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
DLC and mods
MeloNX supports DLC and game update add-ons, while mods are unsupported but may work.Read 8 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
DLC and updates
MeloNX supports downloadable content and game-update add-ons.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Documentation
The repository README contains FAQ, device requirements, entitlement explanations, installation steps, feature descriptions and legal-use guidance.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Game files
Users add encryption keys and firmware through the in-app file picker; commercial games require legally dumped firmware, keys, and purchased games.Read 8 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
GPU emulation
The graphics layer emulates the Switch Maxwell GPU through Metal and MoltenVK using a custom Silk.NET build.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Graphics
The GPU emulator uses Metal through MoltenVK to emulate the Switch Maxwell GPU.Read 8 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Installation
Installation uses a sideloaded IPA through PlumeImpactor, with optional SideStore or AltStore integration and separate JIT activation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Jailbreak
The maker says MeloNX requires no jailbreak.Read 8 Oct 2026 · melonx.org
JIT requirement
The emulator requires Just-in-Time compilation and cannot run without JIT enabled.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Legal content requirement
Commercial games require users to dump their own legally purchased games, firmware and keys from a Switch capable of custom firmware.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
License claim
The README describes MeloNX as GPLv3-licensed open-source software.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Limit: Breath of the Wild performance
An iPhone 15 Pro user reported Breath of the Wild running around 20 FPS with drops to 8 FPS and severe stutter.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: game compatibility
Users reported that a game working in one MeloNX version could crash or fail after an update, requiring multiple installed versions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: LiveContainer
The developer stated that the 2.7 RAM workaround does not work in LiveContainer and was deferred to a future update.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: memory crashes
Users reported Breath of the Wild crashing every 10 to 15 minutes on an iPhone 16 Pro Max because of RAM usage.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: setup complexity
A Reddit commenter said enabling RAM tools, JIT and sideloading took nearly two hours and still ended in crashes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: touch controls
Users reported that changing virtual-controller opacity or layout could disable touch controls until the app was deleted and reinstalled.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Memory entitlements
Increased Memory Limit is required on every device, while Extended Virtual Addressing is paid or available through TrollStore for lower-memory devices.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Minimum devices
The lowest listed compatibility is iPhone 6s on iOS 15 with a paid developer account and iPhone 12 with a free developer account.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Mod support
Romfs, exefs and runtime mods such as cheats are officially unsupported even though some may work.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Motion controls
Motion input works in most cases, but Joy-Con motion is unavailable because of an iOS limitation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Notable news
Android Authority reported in February 2026 that Nintendo sent DMCA notices covering GitHub-hosted Switch emulators including MeloNX.Read 15 Oct 2026 · androidauthority.com
Notable news: legal pressure
VGC reported that Nintendo's DMCA notice listed MeloNX among multiple Switch emulator repositories and alleged circumvention of technological protection measures.Read 15 Oct 2026 · videogameschronicle.com
Praise: market position
An iOS emulation tier list rated MeloNX S-tier and called it the only actively maintained Switch emulator on iOS at the time of writing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: recent performance
Techgenyz described recent iPhone performance as impressive and reported that 1080p and 60 FPS results were possible in some cases, while still calling the project unfinished.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techgenyz.com
Praise: user experience
A Reddit user reported being surprised by MeloNX performance on an iPhone 15 Pro and said gameplay worked after adding keys and firmware.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Recommended iPad
Recommended tablets are iPad Pro fifth generation or newer, with storage and RAM combinations specified, or iPad Air fifth generation or newer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Recommended iPhone
The documentation recommends an iPhone 15 Pro or newer and says 8GB and 12GB models share a 6GB application memory limit.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Release download count
The 2.7 IPA release page showed 6,958 downloads and a 47 MiB package.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Settings
Available settings include logging, controller remapping, resolution, and shader cache options.Read 8 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev
Version 2.7
The October 11, 2026 release added a RAM-limit workaround, in-app controller remapping, controller navigation, experimental Steam Controller support, iOS 27 AirPlay and MetalFX upscaling.Read 15 Oct 2026 · starforgejo.dev

Plans and prices

MeloNX Free Open-source Nintendo Switch emulator for iPhone and iPad Read 8 Oct 2026 · melonx.org

Every MeloNX plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • No jailbreak required
  • Supports iPhone and iPad
  • Keyboard, touch, JoyCon and MFI controls
  • DLC and game updates supported
  • GPLv3 open-source license

Limits

  • Cannot run without JIT
  • Microphone input is unsupported
  • JoyCon motion is unavailable
  • Mods are unsupported

Who it suits

MeloNX suits iPhone and iPad users who can provide JIT, required keys and firmware, and legally owned games. It is also relevant to developers or enthusiasts seeking an open-source iOS emulator.

Verdict

MeloNX offers Switch emulation on iOS with several control options and add-on support. Device capability, JIT setup and legally sourced game files determine whether it fits your use.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to MeloNXAll alternatives →