Run Nintendo Switch Games on iPhone at 60FPS – Free, No Jailbreak Needed

2025-04-03 1662 words 8 minutes

Contents

If you thought the biggest gaming news was the upcoming Switch 2, think again. The emulation community has made a breakthrough: you can now run Nintendo Switch games on your iPhone or iPad at buttery-smooth 60FPS—all offline, with no jailbreak, no shady VPNs, and zero sketchiness.

Background

What is JIT? Why is it important for emulation?

Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation is a method used by emulators to dramatically improve performance by converting code into machine instructions while the program is running. Normally, an emulator has to interpret every single instruction one-by-one, which is slow. JIT speeds things up by compiling larger chunks of code in real time, allowing games to run closer to native speeds. However, Apple has strict security policies that prevent unauthorized JIT execution on iOS devices. There are some workarounds like JITStreamer or SideJITServer but they all require an internet connection. StikJIT and StosVPN now bypass this restriction by enabling JIT locally, without external servers, making offline Nintendo Switch emulation possible on iPhones. Here’s the difference between no JIT vs JIT-enabled when running emulator on iOS.

PPSSPP On iOS 17 (NO JIT vs JIT) iPhone XR

StosVPN – Internal VPN for enabling JIT without internet

Unlike commercial VPNs that often collect user data, StosVPN simply creates a virtual VPN on the device itself, tricking the system into thinking a “trusted connection” is being made. This lets iOS enable JIT without needing an actual internet connection—boosting privacy and eliminating security risks.

This is a breakthrough that allows Switch emulators to run fully offline with high performance.

🔐 No internet connection needed – No data sent out – No unusual battery drain.

Essential Tips Before You Begin

Recommended hardware - IOS 17+, Iphone/Ipad with more than 4 GB RAM.
Disable Low Power Mode – Emulation requires full performance. If iOS throttles the CPU, the game will lag.
Don’t close important background apps – Some apps like SideStore and LiveContainer must keep running for stable emulation.
Prepare a Windows or macOS computer. You’ll need one to set up SideStore initially and to generate a pairing file. It’s best to put all the needed apps into one folder.
Use that folder to transfer games – You can create a Windows shared folder and mount it in the iOS Files app for easier game management.

Installing SideStore

SideStore is a sideloading tool (lets you install apps outside the App Store) that doesn’t require jailbreaking and is regularly updated by the community.

Installation steps:

Read the official guide for more in-depth tutorials: SideStore Docs
Generate a pairing file:
- Download jitterbugpair.exe
- Run it and transfer the *.mobiledevicepairing file to your phone
Install SideStore:
- Install AltServer Windows Guide
- Hold Shift + Click the AltServer tray icon and sideload the SideStore IPA
Final Tweaks:
- Install StosVPN from the App Store and enable it
- Open SideStore, pair it with the pairing file
- Refresh the app and remove previous AltServer certificates

Why we need to refresh Sidestore (you may ask)? Normally, Apple limits sideloaded apps (using a free developer account) to 7 days of usage before you have to “refresh” (i.e., re-sign the IPA with a new certificate). When you install SideStore using AltServer, it stops using AltServer’s certificate and instead creates its own certificate, managed within the app itself. This means you won’t need a computer later—just open SideStore on your phone and tap “Refresh” to handle everything automatically. To do that, SideStore needs a way to simulate a local server environment to trick iOS into thinking the app signing process is legitimate. The trick here is using an internal VPN (StosVPN), which creates a loopback server directly on the device.

Installing LiveContainer

Apple allows only 3 sideloaded apps to run at once. LiveContainer bypasses this by running apps “inside” it, like a virtual machine. Here’s how to install it:

Download the LiveContainer IPA from HugeBlack’s fork Actions tab (requires GitHub account)
Open SideStore with StosVPN enabled and add LiveContainer IPA.
In LiveContainer Settings: Tap “Patch SideStore/AltStore” to reinstall it with tweaks.
After installation: Reopen SideStore/AltStore.
Return to LiveContainer: Tap “Test JIT-Less Mode”—if it says “Test Passed,” you’re good to go.
Install a second instance of LiveContainer via the main LiveContainer app.
In LiveContainer Settings: Set JIT Enabler to StikJIT (Another LiveContainer).

Installing MeloNX & Enable StikJIT & Increasing RAM Limits

Apple limits apps to using only half of the device’s RAM, but GetMoreMemory by HugeBlack bypasses this restriction.

Download MeloNX & memory entitlement: MeloNX Repo and StikKIT IPA from StikJIT GitHub.
Add all three apps to the Apps section in LiveContainer. For each app: long-press the icon → Settings → Convert to Shared App.
Enable file picker & local notifications in MeloNX settings.
Run memory entitlement and log into your account to enable the entitlement for:
- LiveContainer
- LiveContainer2
- MeloNX
- If errors occur, clean up Keychain and try again.
Reinstall LiveContainer & LiveContainer2 to apply the configuration.
Reinstall SideStore from the app (do not just refresh it).
Upload the pairing file in StikJIT on LiveContainer2 and enable “Auto Quit After Enabling JIT.”
Run MeloNX via LiveContainer1.

Adding keys, firmware, games on MeloNX

First-time setup:

Launch MeloNX via LiveContainer
Choose your prod.keys and title.keys files
Select your Switch firmware .zip
Go to settings and check to see if it has JIT and extended RAM enabled

You’re done! Just tap MeloNX from LiveContainer whenever you want to play, even offline. Add games (.NSP or .XCI) by tapping the ➕ button.

I won’t go into detail on how to acquired keys, firmware, and games since this involves piracy. As far as I know, aside from downloading illegally, you can extract your own keys and firmware from your own Switch. For, uh, testing purposes, here’s a little base64:

        
S2V5cyAmIEZpcm13YXJlOiBodHRwczovL3Byb2RrZXlzLm5ldC8NCkdhbWVzOiBodHRwczovL25zd2dhbWUuY29tLw==

Some useful tips I’ve come across:

Always download both the game and its update file for the best performance.
Large files may get stuck during transfers due to MeloNX’s lack of a proper file transfer UI.

MeloNX Settings for best performance or least ram usage

Use the following settings to get the best possible performance

        
        
        
    
Shader Cache: On (may causes games to use much more ram which can cause crashes on devices with not enough ram tho)
Disable VSync: Off (Enable if you want more than 30/60fps if your device can handle it)
Texture Recompression: On
MacroHLE: On
Docked Mode: Off
Resolution Scale: Use the lowest resolution you still find good where it doesn’t crash
Memory Manager: Sometimes "Host Unchecked (fast, unstable / unsafe" or "Host (fast)" has better performance
Ignore Missing Services: On
Debug Logs: Off
Trace Logs: Off
MVK: Pre-fill Metal Command Buffers: Off

Use the following settings to get the least amount of ram usage in a game

        
        
        
    
Shader Cache: Off
Texture Recompression: On
MacroHLE: On
Docked Mode: Off
Resolution Scale: The lower, the better
Expand Guest Ram: Off
Ignore Missing Services: On
Debug Logs: Off
Trace Logs: Off
Memory Manager Mode: Host (fast)
Disable PTC: On

List of games that MeloNX currently supports

Compatibility | MeloNX

3gb+ Devices

        
        
        
    
Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition (Bedrock requires a 8gb+ ram)
Sonic Mania
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Sniper Rescue
Helltaker (Homebrew)
VVVVVV
Cheez it the game
One shot world machine

4gb+ Devices (May work on 3gb devices if on ios 18.2.x)

        
        
        
    
Hue (probably 3gb devices too)
Celeste
Mario vs Donkey Kong (requires 2-3 tries the first time)
Undertale (probably 3gb devices too)
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Carrion
Trombone Champ (requires gyro controls which aren’t implemented yet)
Dead Cells
Thumper
Farming Simulator 20
Super Meat Boy
Nintendo Switch Online(All)
Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition

6gb+ Devices (May work on 4gb devices if on ios 18.2 - 18.2.x)

        
        
        
    
Untitled Goose Game
SCHiM
Oceanhorn 
Super Mario Maker 2
Unravel 2
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Sonic Superstars
Cult of Lamb
Super Mario 3D World
Portal
ANTONBLAST
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
Outlast
Links awakening
Pokémon Legends Arceus
PayDay 2
Pokémon Sword
Oceanhorn (Some flickering but not unplayable)
Farming Simulator 23
Goat Simulator
Super Mario 3D World
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Diablo 3 Eternal Edition
Persona 5 Royal
Persona 4 Golden
Ni No Kuni 2

8gb+ devices (May work on 6gb devices if on ios 18.2.x)

        
        
        
    
Outer Wilds (set CPU Mode to Software)
Skyrim
Super Mario Odyssey
Cuphead
Arkham City
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger
Thief Simulator
Asterix & Obelix XXL 3
Super Mario Party: Superstars
Mario & Sonic: At The Olympic Games
Super Mario 3D All-Stars (very slow performance)
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
Breath of the Wild
Minecraft (Bedrock, Legacy works down to 3gb devices)
Burnout Paradise Remastered
Echoes of Wisdom
Super Mario RPG
Splatoon 2    Mario Rabbids: Kingdom Battle 
Ori and the Blind Forest
Splatoon 3
Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definite Edition

16gb iPads (also works on 8gb devices if on iOS 18.2.x)

        
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Lego Starwars: The Skywalker Saga (takes a few tries)
Tears of the Kingdom
Mario Tennis Aces

Games which don’t boot/Boots then crash:

        
        
        
    
Stray
Red Dead Redemption (works on Pomelo)
Hogwarts Legacy
The Witcher 3
Yoshi’s Crafted World
DOOM Eternal
Terraria
Pikuniku (works on Pomelo)
Mario Strikers
No man’s sky
Wolfenstein 2
Outlast 2
Dying Light

Boots but too many graphical glitches

Octopath Travaler 2

Credits & Sources

This guide was compiled from various sources and contributions:

HugeBlack: Developer of LiveContainer and GetMoreMemory
0-Blu: Developer of StikJIT
MeloNX Team: Creators of the MeloNX emulator. You can also join the community here.
SideStore Team: For enabling sideloading on iOS
Various GitHub Repositories & Documentation:
r/EmulationOniOS community, especially this post
- How to install MeloNX and get it working with fully offline JIT activation. A step by step guide. : r/EmulationOniOS

Final Thoughts

Running Tears of the Kingdom on an iPhone sounds like science fiction—but it’s real. Once it’s all set up, you’ll be gaming at full speed, offline, on hardware that was should be meant for this. Even crazier? This lays the groundwork for full-blown VM emulation. Some users are already running macOS Sonoma on iPad using UTM.