Do you remember the days of MS-DOS? If not, you can enjoy classic PC games from that era on your iPhone thanks to new App Store rules that once again allow the distribution of emulators. This means that iDOS 3, a PC emulator that allows you to run applications created for MS-DOS via DOSBox, is back on the App Store.
It was only in April of this year that we were celebrating the ability to turn an iPad into a retro gaming machine. 10 days later, that functionality disappeared again, with Apple telling iDOS 3 developer Chaoji Li that “the app provides emulator functionality but does not emulate a retro gaming console specifically,” and that only retro game-specific emulators are allowed under guideline 4.7.
To avoid pressure from the European Union and to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust laws, Apple changed its mind again, so no more than a month later, UTM SE was approved, allowing Windows to run on iOS, and the aforementioned guideline 4.7 was amended to include “PC emulation applications.” Although it took a little longer, iDOS 3 was eventually approved as well.
Considering how fickle Apple has been regarding emulators, we hope they're here to stay this time.
Consistently inconsistent
We're not the only ones who doubt Apple's ability to stick to its guns. The developer of iDOS 3 wrote in a blog post that “As much as I want to celebrate, I can't help but be a little cautious about the future.”
With those recent rejections and the removal of iDOS 2 from the App Store in 2021 after Apple found it violated Guideline 2.5.2, it's no wonder Li is cautious.
Given that DOS and Windows have been home to many games since the 80s, it could easily be argued that PC emulators should never have been killed off. And we're cautiously optimistic that emulators are here to stay this time, as Apple doesn't tend to like being on the wrong end of regulatory pressure.
iDOS 3 gives you access to a huge library full of games like Spaceball Cadet Pinball and Wolfenstein 3D, perfect for those who have been waiting for PC emulators to come to iOS.
However, this whole situation highlights the tension between Apple's policies and the desires of developers and users to enjoy the flexibility that Android offers. While the return of PC emulators like iDOS 3 is a promising development for gamers and tech enthusiasts, it also serves as a reminder of the precarious nature of iOS.
Whether this marks a genuine shift in Apple's stance or not remains to be seen, but the battle between innovative third parties and Apple's control is far from over.
