Skip to content
DownloadCompatibilityDocsFAQ

FAQ

One project, one FAQ, with platform-specific answers grouped below.

XeniOS is an experimental Apple-focused fork of Xenia. This page combines the shared project answers with platform-specific questions for iPhone, iPad, and Mac in one place. Current published releases focus on Apple platforms, while the broader project also carries platform changes intended to benefit ARM64 Windows, Linux, and Android over time.

Project

XeniOS is an experimental Apple-focused fork of Xenia, currently based on Xenia Edge. It is the fast-moving branch used to develop, test, and ship the iPhone, iPad, and Mac experience while also carrying platform changes that benefit ARM64 Windows, Linux, and Android.

Upstream Xenia is not structured for fast iteration on Apple packaging, releases, documentation, compatibility reporting, and user experience. XeniOS exists so those pieces can move faster in one product-focused repository, with useful technical improvements intended to flow back upstream over time.

Current published releases focus on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, including both Apple Silicon and Intel Mac builds.

If you are looking for Windows or Linux builds, use Xenia-Canary as the stable desktop path, especially on Windows, or Xenia-Edge if you need the branch with better Linux support.

Yes. XeniOS is open source, and the public repository is https://github.com/xenios-jp/XeniOS.

XeniOS is pre-release and experimental. Expect crashes, graphical glitches, missing features, and major game-to-game variance while core behavior is still being validated. Do not expect a polished or perfect experience yet.

Open an issue on the XeniOS GitHub issue tracker for emulator bugs, feature requests, and tracked work. For setup help or quick questions, use the community Discord server.

Contributions are welcome in code, documentation, bug reports, feature requests, and compatibility reporting. Start with the public repository, check open issues, and coordinate larger work in Discord before diving in.

iPhone / iPad

The current supported public install path is manual IPA sideloading through SideStore.

  • SideStore — add the XeniOS IPA manually and refresh it every 7 days on free Apple IDs.

LiveContainer is currently untested on iOS 26, though users have reported it working on iOS 18. Use it at your own risk. If you try it, expect to need the com.apple.developer.kernel.increased-memory-limit entitlement when signing it.

After installation, complete JIT setup before launching games. If you need help with SideStore or the first install pass, use Discord.

The lowest tested baseline right now is iOS / iPadOS 18.0 on A16-class hardware. Older versions or older chips may work, but they are currently untested and should not be treated as validated. Do not upgrade to iOS / iPadOS 26.4 beta right now.

JIT is the permission the emulator needs to execute translated game code. Without JIT, XeniOS can open, but games will not start.

Use StikDebug to enable JIT. Depending on your iOS / iPadOS version and device, this may also require LocalDevVPN. Check the latest SideStore JIT guide before assuming a setup will work unchanged.

In StikDebug, you must also assign the bundled Amethyst-MeloNX.js or universal.js script to XeniOS. If you do not see either script in the app, update to StikDebug releases or download universal.js directly. Check the StikDebug repo for more information.

XeniOS targets ARM64 iPhone and iPad hardware with Metal support. Practical results vary heavily by chip, available memory, and the game being tested. The app uses the increased-memory-limit entitlement on supported installs.

Mac

No. Mac and iPhone/iPad releases are built from one shared XeniOS codebase and repository. Platform-specific code exists only where needed.

Go to the download page or release assets, download the latest macOS build, open it, then move the app to Applications. If Gatekeeper blocks first launch, open the app once, then go to System Settings → Privacy & Security and use Open Anyway.

XeniOS for Mac currently requires macOS 15.0 or newer. Both Apple Silicon (M-series) and Intel Mac builds are supported, with separate downloads published when available.

No. Current Mac results still vary by game, scene, hardware, and build. Treat compatibility and FPS as in-progress until broader validation is published.

Performance

Performance varies significantly by game, scene, device class, and build. The compatibility list includes a performance rating for each tested game: Great (near full speed), OK (playable with drops), or Poor (significant issues).

  • Close background apps to free up RAM and thermal headroom.
  • Lower internal resolution to reduce GPU load where supported.
  • Use per-game config overrides to tune settings for specific titles.
  • Keep the device cool. Thermal throttling will reduce performance.
  • Try the latest build. Performance behavior can change between revisions.

Initial stuttering is usually shader compilation. Xbox 360 shaders are translated and cached on first use, so subsequent launches of the same game should be smoother.

Yes. XeniOS distributes emulation work across multiple CPU cores where possible, including separate threads for major subsystems and the three Xbox 360 CPU cores.

Xbox 360 emulation is extremely demanding. Heat buildup is normal during gameplay, and extended sessions under thermal throttling will degrade performance.

Games & Compatibility

Check the compatibility list for community-submitted reports. Results are device- and build-specific, so treat each report as evidence, not a blanket guarantee.

Compatibility status is derived from reports on the current release or tracked activity. Results can vary by platform and device.

  • Playable — reported as playthrough-quality on the tested devices without significant issues.
  • In-Game — gameplay is reachable, but significant bugs, glitches, or performance problems remain.
  • Intro — gets past the title screen or intro, but crashes or hangs before gameplay.
  • Loads — starts loading but does not reach menus or gameplay.
  • Nothing — crashes immediately on launch or produces no useful output.

Supported formats include GOD (Games on Demand) folders, .iso disc images, .xex executables, .zar archives, and STFS/XContent packages such as .con, .live, and .pirs.

You must dump games from Xbox 360 discs or digital purchases that you legally own. XeniOS does not include, provide, or link to any game files.

On iPhone and iPad, transfer dumps using the Files app, AirDrop, USB file sharing through Finder, or the iOS document picker. XeniOS scans its Documents directory for supported titles on launch.

You need an Xbox 360 console and the original game disc or a digital purchase linked to your account. No modding is required.

  • Install the game to the console's hard drive.
  • Copy the installed game to a FAT32-formatted USB drive via Settings → System → Storage.
  • Move the copied files to your Apple device or Mac.

No. You can dump games from a stock, unmodified Xbox 360 console. No homebrew, JTAG, or RGH modifications are required.

Place the update file in the standard Xbox 360 content path:

content/0000000000000000/[Title ID]/000B0000/[update file]

XeniOS will automatically load the Title Update when launching the game if the file structure is correct.

Yes. Game patches are supported on iPhone and iPad, but there is no built-in UI for them yet.

Copy the patches folder that contains your patch files into the main XeniOS.app folder, then edit the patch files manually in the Files app or an external text editor.

XBLA packages are supported by the loader, but actual playability remains title-dependent and unverified.

Save behavior depends on the title and current emulator stability. There is no broad save-compatibility guarantee yet.

No. XeniOS uses high-level emulation and does not require dumped BIOS or firmware files.

Controllers

XeniOS supports up to 4 controllers simultaneously across Apple platforms. Supported controllers include:

  • Xbox Wireless Controller (Bluetooth models)
  • PlayStation DualSense and DualShock 4
  • Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
  • MFi-certified controllers

No. There are currently no touchscreen gameplay controls. Touch input is for launcher and settings UI navigation only, so you need a supported controller to play.

Put the controller into pairing mode, then connect it from Apple system Bluetooth settings. XeniOS should detect it automatically once paired.

XeniOS does not yet include a built-in remapping UI. On iPhone and iPad, you can use system controller remapping in Settings → General → Game Controller. A native remapping feature is planned.