How to patch a ROM on iPhone or iPad
You can patch a ROM on an iPhone entirely in Safari. Open the patcher, pick your ROM and patch from the Files app, and tap Apply patch. The patched ROM saves to Downloads in Files, ready to import into an emulator such as Delta or RetroArch.
Why the browser is the easiest route on iOS
iOS has no general-purpose file tooling and the App Store carries very few ROM patchers. Because this patcher is a web page that runs its work locally, none of that matters. Safari can read files and write downloads, which is everything the job needs.
Getting the file picker to show your files
When you tap a file field, iOS offers Photo Library, Take Photo and Browse. Choose Browse to reach the Files app. If your ROM is in a zip, you can select the zip itself.
Emulators that take the patched ROM
- Delta for NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy and DS. Available on the App Store in most regions.
- RetroArch for a wide range of systems, installable through the App Store or AltStore.
- Provenance for a broad multi-system library.
Limits on mobile
Memory is the practical ceiling. Cartridge ROMs are small enough that this never comes up. Large PlayStation or GameCube disc images can exhaust what Safari is allowed to allocate, and the tab reloads. Do those on a computer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I patch a ROM on iPhone without a computer?
Yes. Safari can read files from the Files app and write the patched ROM back to Downloads. No computer, no sideloading and no app install are required.
Where does the patched ROM go on iOS?
Into the Downloads folder in the Files app, in whichever location Safari is configured to use. Open Files and look under Downloads.
Why is my ROM greyed out in the iOS file picker?
iOS dims files with extensions it does not recognise. Rename the file to .zip in the Files app and select it. The patcher identifies formats by content, so the extension does not matter.
Does this work on iPad?
Yes, identically. iPadOS Safari handles the file picker and downloads the same way, and the larger memory allowance makes bigger files more comfortable.