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Provenance

provenance-emu.com

From $3.33/mo Free plan Open source macOSiOS
Visit provenance-emu.com
Spec score 8.5 #2 of 29 in Game Boy Advance Emulators

What it is

Provenance is a free, open-source retro game emulator frontend for Apple platforms, available for iOS and macOS. It supports more than 38 console systems, including systems from Atari, Nintendo, Sega, and Sony. Its library can display automatically downloaded box art, screenshots, release details, ratings, and scanned manuals. Listed emulation features include save states, cheats, fast forward, shaders, visual filters, controller support, RetroAchievements, and multiplayer. Apple integration includes native tvOS, Apple TV TopShelf, Siri Remote, Spotlight search, Siri shortcuts, and iCloud sync; Apple TV supports MFi, Xbox, and PlayStation gamepads. Nearly all CD-based cores support CHD disc images, and the native Mednafen core has a custom CHD implementation. The source is published on GitHub under the BSD license. Installation options include the App Store, sideloading with AltStore or SideStore, and building from source. The free plan includes emulation features when sideloaded or built from source. Plus adds iCloud sync and priority support.

Spec sheet

What it does
Provenance is a multi-console emulator frontend for playing games from classic Atari, Nintendo, Sega, Sony and other systems.Read 15 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Purpose
Provenance is a free, open-source multi-system retro game emulator frontend for Apple platforms.Read 5 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Privacy
The maker says the apps collect no personal or identifying information, while anonymous device model and iOS-version analytics may be recorded.Read 15 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Founded
2016Read 28 Sep 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Maker
Joseph Mattiello is identified as Provenance's creator and lead developer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Apple integration
The app supports native tvOS, Apple TV TopShelf, Siri Remote, Spotlight search, Siri shortcuts, and iCloud sync.Read 5 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Apple TV
Provenance includes a native tvOS app with TopShelf integration and Siri Remote support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Build requirements
Building from source requires macOS 13.5 or later, Xcode 15 or later, iOS/tvOS 16 SDKs and an Apple Developer account.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wiki.provenance-emu.com
Cheats
Game Genie, Action Replay and GameShark cheats are supported across more than 12 native cores and RetroArch cores.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Cloud sync
Provenance Plus can synchronize libraries, saves, settings, skins, BIOS files and artwork across Apple devices through iCloud.Read 15 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Controllers
Apple TV support includes MFi, Xbox, and PlayStation gamepads.Read 5 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Disc images
Nearly all CD-based cores support CHD disc images, and its native Mednafen core has a custom CHD implementation.Read 5 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Documentation
The community wiki includes installation, importing, controllers, skins, saves, shaders, cheats, multiplayer, RetroAchievements, troubleshooting and contribution guides.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wiki.provenance-emu.com
Emulation features
The maker lists save states, cheats, fast forward, shaders, visual filters, controller support, RetroAchievements, and multiplayer as free emulation features.Read 5 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Game library
The library can show automatically downloaded box art, screenshots, release information, ratings, and scanned manuals.Read 5 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Import methods
ROMs can be imported through WebDAV, AirDrop, the Files app, Safari downloads and an in-app web server.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Independent beta limitation
iMore reported that the early beta required Patreon access and initially lacked Apple TV support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · imore.com
Independent coverage
iMore reported in April 2024 that Provenance was in TestFlight beta and supported PlayStation, Saturn, Virtual Boy and GameCube, with Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 support being explored.Read 15 Oct 2026 · imore.com
Installation options
The maker offers App Store installation, sideloading through AltStore or SideStore, and building from source.Read 5 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Library management
The library can automatically fetch box art, screenshots, release information, ratings and scanned manuals.Read 15 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Licence
The Provenance project uses a permissive custom licence that allows source and binary redistribution with attribution and prohibits commercial use of its branding; bundled cores have separate licences.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: compatibility
Reviewers say some PlayStation and 3DS games fail to boot or crash, and users request PlayStation 2 support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Limit: controls
Reviewers report clunky navigation, limited controller remapping, Joy-Con button mismatches and inaccurate touch input for some layouts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Limit: stability
Reviewers report crashes, corrupted save files, lag, slow GameCube performance and occasional sound problems.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Maker location
The creator's GitHub profile lists New York, New York as his location.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Multiplayer
The documentation describes local multiplayer with up to four controllers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wiki.provenance-emu.com
Notable limit
The maker says some supported systems have limitations on certain devices due to performance requirements.Read 5 Oct 2026 · wiki.provenance-emu.com
Open source
The project publishes its source code on GitHub and identifies its license as BSD.Read 5 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Plus benefits
Plus adds iCloud sync and priority support; family sharing covers up to six members, while beta access through Patreon is separate from Plus.Read 5 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Praise: breadth
App Store reviewers praise Provenance as an all-in-one emulator covering more systems than Delta and enabling GameCube or Wii play on iOS.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Praise: interface
Some App Store reviewers describe the interface as attractive and easy to use, especially for Atari and Game Boy systems.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Project start
The creator's profile lists the Provenance Emulator project as beginning in January 2016.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Rating on Apple App Store
3.3 out of 5 from 751 ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Save states
The emulator provides save states with visual thumbnail previews and a screenshot browser.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Self-building
Developers can clone the GitHub repository with recursive submodules and compile the app in Xcode for iOS, tvOS or macOS.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wiki.provenance-emu.com
Support channels
The project directs users to its FAQ, Discord server, GitHub issues and Reddit community for help.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wiki.provenance-emu.com
Supported systems
The project advertises support for more than 50 systems, including NES, SNES, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, 3DS, PlayStation, PSP, Saturn and Dreamcast.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
System requirement
The App Store listing requires iOS 16 or later, iPadOS 16 or later, macOS 13 with an Apple M1 or later Mac, or visionOS 1 or later.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
System support
It supports more than 38 console systems, including Atari, Nintendo, Sega, and Sony systems.Read 5 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Video filters
Built-in Metal filters include CRT, Mega Tron, ulTron, LCD, Game Boy and VHS effects, with RetroArch shader support.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wiki.provenance-emu.com

Plans and prices

Free Free All emulation features · 50+ systems · save states · cheats · fast forward · shaders · controller support · local library Read 15 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Monthly $3.99 a month monthly iCloud sync · priority support · Family Sharing Read 15 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Annual $39.99 a year annually iCloud sync · priority support · Family Sharing Read 15 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com
Lifetime $99.99, paid once one-time iCloud sync · priority support · Family Sharing Read 15 Oct 2026 · provenance-emu.com

Every Provenance plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports more than 38 console systems
  • Includes save states, cheats, and visual filters
  • Offers App Store, sideloading, and source-build options
  • Plus includes family sharing for up to six members

Limits

  • Some systems are limited on certain devices
  • BIOS is required
  • Plus adds iCloud sync and priority support

Who it suits

Provenance suits Apple-platform users looking for a multi-system retro game emulator frontend. Users should check device performance limits for particular systems and compare the Plus features with their needs.

Verdict

Provenance combines broad system support with library and emulation features across Apple platforms. Device performance can limit some systems, so check compatibility expectations before settling on a setup.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to ProvenanceAll alternatives →