Provenance

Free plan Open source iPhoneMac

What Provenance is

Provenance is a free, open-source retro game emulator frontend for Apple platforms, with versions for iOS and macOS. It supports more than 38 console systems, including systems from Atari, Nintendo, Sega, and Sony. Its library can show automatically downloaded box art, screenshots, release information, ratings, and scanned manuals. The maker lists save states, cheats, fast forward, shaders, visual filters, controller support, RetroAchievements, and multiplayer among the free emulation features. Arcade support and online netplay are also listed, and BIOS is required. Apple features include 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, with a custom CHD implementation in its native Mednafen core. Installation options include the App Store, sideloading through AltStore or SideStore, and building from source. The free plan includes all emulation features when sideloaded or built from source. Plus adds iCloud sync and priority support, with family sharing for up to six members.

Who it suits

Provenance suits Apple-platform users looking for an open-source frontend that supports a broad range of retro console systems. Its listed installation choices include the App Store, sideloading, and building from source.

What it does well

Supports more than 38 console systems
Free emulation features include saves, cheats, and shaders
Online netplay and arcade support are listed
Apple TV supports several controller types
Family sharing covers up to six members

What to know first

BIOS is required
Some systems have device performance limitations
Plus costs $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year

Limits

Some supported systems have limitations on certain devices because of performance requirements. Plus adds iCloud sync and priority support; the free plan includes all emulation features when sideloaded or built from source.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	All emulation features · 50+ systems · save states · cheats · fast forward · shaders · controller support · local library	Free
Monthly	monthly · iCloud sync · priority support · Family Sharing	$3.99 a month
Annual	annually · iCloud sync · priority support · Family Sharing	$39.99 a year
Lifetime	one-time · iCloud sync · priority support · Family Sharing	$99.99, paid once

As provenance-emu.com lists them, read 15 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit https://provenance-emu.com/.
Install from the App Store, sideload through AltStore or SideStore, or build from source.
Use the free plan for all emulation features when sideloaded or built from source.
Choose a Plus plan for iCloud sync and priority support.

Verdict

Provenance offers broad system support and a substantial set of listed emulation features for Apple platforms. Check device limitations and the BIOS requirement, and note that Plus adds iCloud sync and priority support.

Questions

Is Provenance free?

Yes. Its free plan includes all emulation features when sideloaded or built from source. Plus costs $3.99 per month, $39.99 per year, or $99.99 one-time.

Which platforms does Provenance support?

It is listed for iOS and macOS, and includes native tvOS support.

Is Provenance open source?

Yes. Its source code is published on GitHub under the BSD license.

What does Plus add?

Plus adds iCloud sync and priority support. Family Sharing covers up to six members.

How can I install Provenance?

The maker offers App Store installation, sideloading through AltStore or SideStore, and building from source.

Does Provenance support CHD disc images?

Nearly all CD-based cores support CHD disc images, and the native Mednafen core has a custom CHD implementation.

Facts from Provenance's own pages

Apple integration: The app supports native tvOS, Apple TV TopShelf, Siri Remote, Spotlight search, Siri shortcuts, and iCloud sync. · provenance-emu.com, 5 Oct 2026
Apple TV: Provenance includes a native tvOS app with TopShelf integration and Siri Remote support. · provenance-emu.com, 15 Oct 2026
Build requirements: Building from source requires macOS 13.5 or later, Xcode 15 or later, iOS/tvOS 16 SDKs and an Apple Developer account. · wiki.provenance-emu.com, 15 Oct 2026
Cheats: Game Genie, Action Replay and GameShark cheats are supported across more than 12 native cores and RetroArch cores. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Cloud sync: Provenance Plus can synchronize libraries, saves, settings, skins, BIOS files and artwork across Apple devices through iCloud. · provenance-emu.com, 15 Oct 2026
Controllers: Apple TV support includes MFi, Xbox, and PlayStation gamepads. · provenance-emu.com, 5 Oct 2026
Disc images: Nearly all CD-based cores support CHD disc images, and its native Mednafen core has a custom CHD implementation. · provenance-emu.com, 5 Oct 2026
Documentation: The community wiki includes installation, importing, controllers, skins, saves, shaders, cheats, multiplayer, RetroAchievements, troubleshooting and contribution guides. · wiki.provenance-emu.com, 15 Oct 2026
Emulation features: The maker lists save states, cheats, fast forward, shaders, visual filters, controller support, RetroAchievements, and multiplayer as free emulation features. · provenance-emu.com, 5 Oct 2026
Founded: 2016 · provenance-emu.com, 28 Sept 2026
Game library: The library can show automatically downloaded box art, screenshots, release information, ratings, and scanned manuals. · provenance-emu.com, 5 Oct 2026
Import methods: ROMs can be imported through WebDAV, AirDrop, the Files app, Safari downloads and an in-app web server. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Independent beta limitation: iMore reported that the early beta required Patreon access and initially lacked Apple TV support. · imore.com, 15 Oct 2026
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. · imore.com, 15 Oct 2026
Installation options: The maker offers App Store installation, sideloading through AltStore or SideStore, and building from source. · provenance-emu.com, 5 Oct 2026
Library management: The library can automatically fetch box art, screenshots, release information, ratings and scanned manuals. · provenance-emu.com, 15 Oct 2026
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. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: compatibility: Reviewers say some PlayStation and 3DS games fail to boot or crash, and users request PlayStation 2 support. · apps.apple.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: controls: Reviewers report clunky navigation, limited controller remapping, Joy-Con button mismatches and inaccurate touch input for some layouts. · apps.apple.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: stability: Reviewers report crashes, corrupted save files, lag, slow GameCube performance and occasional sound problems. · apps.apple.com, 15 Oct 2026
Maker: Joseph Mattiello is identified as Provenance's creator and lead developer. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Maker location: The creator's GitHub profile lists New York, New York as his location. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
Multiplayer: The documentation describes local multiplayer with up to four controllers. · wiki.provenance-emu.com, 15 Oct 2026
Notable limit: The maker says some supported systems have limitations on certain devices due to performance requirements. · wiki.provenance-emu.com, 5 Oct 2026