DolphiniOS is having problems with Apple’s new App Store policy changes regarding JIT- What is it and all the details
Apple’s recent policy change allowing game emulators on the App Store has been met with mixed reactions. While Delta, a popular emulation app, quickly climbed the App Store charts, DolphiniOS remained on the sidelines due to Apple’s restrictions on Just-in-Time (JIT) compilation.
The JIT conundrum
DolphiniOS detailed in a recent blog post that Apple’s reluctance to allow apps to use the JIT is the main reason the emulator hasn’t appeared on the App Store yet. This technical barrier stems from the different CPU architecture between the GameCube/Wii (PowerPC-based) and modern Apple devices (ARM-based).
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What is JIT?
JIT, or Just-in-Time compilation, is a method used by Dolphin to translate PowerPC code from GameCube and Wii games to ARM code compatible with Apple devices. This translation allows the game to run smoothly on iPhone. Unfortunately, Apple’s iOS guidelines generally prohibit the use of JIT recompilers, with some limited exceptions such as Safari and some European web browsers. 9to5mac.
Apple’s security concerns
Apple’s rejection of DolphiniOS’s JIT request may focus on security concerns. While the exact reasons are yet to be revealed, Apple’s cautious approach to JIT, as evidenced by their restrictions on JavaScript JIT in alternative European web browsers, suggests potential security risks.
Performance issues without JIT
While DolphiniOS can technically run using an “interpreter” instead of the JIT, performance suffers significantly. Tests on the iPhone 15 Pro Max showed gameplay to be nearly unplayable, making this option impractical to submit to the App Store due to possible user complaints and potential App Review Authority Apple refused.
The future of DolphiniOS on the App Store
Despite the challenges, the developers behind DolphiniOS expressed their desire to collaborate with the Dolphin Emulator project to potentially release an official build on the App Store. However, this aspiration still depends on Apple modifying its JIT restrictions.
While Apple’s policy change has opened the door to some emulation apps, DolphiniOS continues to face obstacles due to technical limitations. Unless Apple reconsiders its stance on JIT, it seems likely that DolphiniOS will be absent from the App Store ecosystem.
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