emuThreeDS

Paid iPhone

What emuThreeDS is

emuThreeDS is a free, open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator for Apple devices, based on Citra. Its supported platform is iOS. The project describes its core support as basically complete, but says it still needs testing. Audio support is described as complete after removing cubeb and updating SoundTouch. The Video Core no longer crashes, though it too requires testing after a filesystem rewrite.

The app creates a Citra folder in its Documents directory, which users can access through Files.app. The README says controllers should still work through SDL2, while input common needs rewriting for iOS. For graphics, Metal and Core::System code has been moved to Objective-C++ and Swift, removing the need for SDL2 for that code. The port also replaces pthread_jit_write_np with mprotect; the maintainer says this change needs further investigation.

The README reports no changes to the network, dedicated room, or web service components. It says shader compilation appears faster, but that change has not been timed. The repository page shows no releases or packages, so the project’s stated platform and component support should be read alongside its testing status and distribution information.

Who it suits

emuThreeDS may suit iOS users looking for a Citra-based Nintendo 3DS emulator project with audio support described as complete. It is also relevant to users who need an accessible Documents folder or controller support, while recognizing that core and video support still require testing.

What it does well

Free and open source.
Based on Citra for Apple devices.
Audio support is described as complete.
Creates a Citra folder accessible through Files.app.
Controllers should still be supported through SDL2.

What to know first

Core and Video Core support still require testing.
The mprotect change needs further investigation.
Input common needs rewriting for iOS.
The repository page shows no releases or packages.

Limits

Core support is described as basically complete but still requires testing. Video Core also requires testing after a filesystem rewrite; the repository page shows no releases or packages.

Getting started

Open the emuThreeDS project website on GitHub.
Review the project information for its iOS platform and support status.
If using the app, access its Citra folder through the Documents directory in Files.app.

Verdict

Consider emuThreeDS if you use iOS and want to follow a Citra-based emulator project whose audio support is described as complete. Its core and video support still require testing, and the repository page shows no releases or packages, so those are key constraints for anyone seeking a ready distribution.

Questions

Is emuThreeDS free and open source?

Yes. The project is listed as free and open source.

What platform does emuThreeDS support?

The listed supported platform is iOS.

What is emuThreeDS based on?

It describes itself as a Nintendo 3DS emulator for Apple devices based on Citra.

Is audio support complete?

The project says audio support is complete; it removed cubeb and updated SoundTouch.

Where does emuThreeDS store its Citra folder?

It creates the folder in the app’s Documents directory, accessible through Files.app.

Are releases or packages available on the repository page?

The repository page shows no releases or packages.

Facts from emuThreeDS's own pages

Audio: The project says audio support is complete and notes that it removed cubeb and updated SoundTouch. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Controllers: The README says controllers should still be supported via SDL2. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Core: The README describes core support as basically complete but still requiring testing. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Dedicated room: The README reports no changes to dedicated room yet. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Dedicated room status: The project reports that no changes have been made to its dedicated room component. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Distribution: The opened repository page lists no releases or packages. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Files: The app creates Citra’s folder in the Files-accessible Documents directory. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Filesystem: The project says Citra's folder is created in the app's Documents directory, accessible through Files.app. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Graphics: Metal and Core::System code has been moved to Objective-C++ and Swift, removing the need for SDL2 in that code. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
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. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Input: The README says controllers should still be supported via SDL2, while input common needs rewriting for iOS. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
JIT memory: The port replaced pthread_jit_write_np with mprotect, which the maintainer says needs further investigation. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Networking: The README reports no changes to networking yet. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Network status: The project reports that no changes have been made to its network component. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Product: emuThreeDS describes itself as a Nintendo 3DS emulator for Apple devices based on Citra. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Shader compilation: The README says Video Core appears to compile shaders faster, though this was not timed. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Support status: The README identifies core and video support as requiring testing. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Video: The README says Video Core no longer crashes but still needs testing after the filesystem rewrite. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Web service: The README reports no changes to the web service yet. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Web service status: The project reports that no changes have been made to its web service component. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026

Where emuThreeDS stands on Freedom251

Nintendo 3DS Emulators#14 of 14