Here’s how to play Nintendo Wii games on iPhone – works with the latest iOS | Nintendo Wii Emulator for iOS
Nintendo Wii is no doubt one of the many most-successful Nintendo game consoles. Sold worldwide as many as 101.63 million units, that makes Nintendo Wii and its beloved games memorable to many. Great if you still own the original Nintendo Wii console and its games, you can play them directly on the console. However if you have sold your Nintendo Wii console or your Nintendo Wii console has been broken or if you are someone who never played great games that Nintendo Wii has but would like to give them a try, that leave us to emulator.
There isn’t many Nintendo Wii emulator out there unfortunately. But considered yourself lucky, if you have iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad with you, you can use DolphiniOS to play Nintendo Wii games.
| Before proceeding, I would like to remind you this: All the steps mentioned here are all for educational purposes only. Please DO RESPECT the Console Maker, Game makers, Developers, Publishers by always buying and playing the originals on their original systems. Without you supporting them, there won’t be any good and great systems and games in the coming future. |
- This tutorial detailed the steps to install DolphiniOS to enable you to play Nintendo Wii games as well as GameCube games on your iPhone running on latest iOS.
- No jailbreak nor any forms of subscriptions is required.
- This tutorial though intended for iPhone, but all the steps provided here works and applicable for iPad as well as iPod Touch.
- For other interesting articles related to gaming, check it out here Xbox, PS5, Nintendo Switch, other gaming, iOS, Tech or more at JILAXZONE.
- If you find this article / content inside is already obsolete, do let me know by commenting on the comment section below so that I can update the article to reflect the latest process/news. Thanks.
Meet DolphiniOS
DolphiniOS is a forked version of Dolphin. Dolphin is the best (and only one) Nintendo Wii emulator out there that can emulate Nintendo Wii games (almost) perfectly.
So in this article, I would like to share with you the step by step to install DolphiniOS on your iPhone so that you can play Nintendo Wii games on your iPhone.
As of when this article is written, iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 has been announced although it has not been made public (both are still in Public Beta status). However, good news is that, even on the latest iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, DolphiniOS can be installed and played on iPhone and iPad.
Steps overview
These are the high level steps available on this article. While I fully recommend the steps to be done in sequence as shown below, but feel free to jump around to section that interest you.
1) Prerequisites: Things you need to prepare.
2) Steps to install DolphiniOS on latest iOS: Full detail steps to get DolphiniOS installed.
3) Steps to configure DolphiniOS on latest iOS: Full detail steps to get DolphiniOS configured and running.
4) Things to note: What you can and can’t do with DolphiniOS.
5) How to increase game FPS: Tips to get more FPS on the game (if the game allowed).
6) Controller Recommendation: To play the games better with recommended physical controllers.
7) Other retro game emulators available on iPhone (and iPad and iPod Touch): In case you need other emulators available on iPhone and other iOS / iPadOS devices.
Prerequisites
These are the things you need to prepare to get DolphiniOS installed and running. If there are certain things you don’t have / don’t know yet, don’t worry, as part of the installation and configuration steps, all the download links and how to create / configured them are shared in details.
a) iPhone or other iOS / iPadOS device: The main show.
b) Apple ID: Required to install DolphiniOS.
c) Apple FREE Developer account: Required to install DolphiniOS.
d) iTunes: Required to install DolphiniOS and to transfer games to DolphiniOS.
e) Lightning cable: Required during DolphiniOS installation and to transfer games to DolphiniOS.
f) Computer (either a Mac or PC) (I’m using PC): Required to install AltServer and to push games to DolphiniOS.
g) AltServer & AltStore: Required to install DolphiniOS.
Steps to install DolphiniOS on latest iOS
| The steps written here are tested on: a) Latest iOS – at the time this article is written is iOS 15 Public Beta 3 and using the iPhone that I currently have – iPhone XR. In case you are not on iOS 15 or iPadOS 15 yet, check the link here to get iOS 15 & iPadOS 15: Here’s how to update iPhone to iOS 15 today (iPad and iPod Touch included!) at JILAXZONE. b) Latest Windows – at the time this article is written is Windows 11 Pro Preview Build 22000.100 co_release. In you are also using Windows and would like to install Windows 11, check the link here to get them installed: Getting Windows 11 and installing on your Computer at JILAXZONE. Should you are using different version of iOS or iPadOS and / or different computer OS (such as Linux / Mac), the steps may be slightly different but should not deviate too much. Anyway, in case you have questions / issues, feel free to put them down on the comment section down below, I’ll be more than happy to help you. |
Some of the steps mentioned here you can skip them if you have done it before. In summary, here they are.
1) Install iTunes on Computer.
2) Register for Apple FREE Developer Account.
3) Generate App Specific Password.
4) Install AltStore to Computer.
5) Connect your iPhone.
6) Install AltStore to iPhone.
7) Get latest DolphiniOS.
8) Install DolphiniOS to iPhone.
9) Run DolphiniOS on iPhone.
10) Transfer Nintendo Wii games into DolphiniOS.
11) Start the game.
Step 1) to Step 6) Read here.
For details of step 1) to step 6) – including all download links, I have detailed and provided them here on this link: Complete guide how to sideload apps/games into iPhone/iPad without jailbreak at JILAXZONE. You need about 15-30 minutes, depends on your internet connection to complete everything – since mostly are either downloading software or registering account.
Once you have done all the first 6 steps, then continue on subsequent steps below.
Step 7) Get latest DolphiniOS.
Step 7a) To get latest DolphiniOS, using your iPhone, open Safari browser and tap on one of the links below.
| Version | Download Link |
|---|---|
| Release build (stable, but slower) | https://dolphinios.oatmealdome.me/ |
| Beta build (much faster but may be unstable) | https://dolphinios.oatmealdome.me/beta |
Step 7b) Scroll down and head into the “Download Version X.XX” button. Tap on the button to start downloading the version you choose. I would recommend to get the Beta version, although it may be unstable (rarely on my case), but you can get faster/better compatibility.
Step 7c) Once downloaded, open Files app, then navigate to the Safari downloaded folder, you should see a file with name “DolphiniOS-NJB-xxxxxxxxxxx.ipa” where xxxxxxxxxxx refers to version you downloaded. For easier reference, let’s just call this file as “DolphiniOS.ipa” file.
In case you can’t find the “DolphiniOS.ipa” file inside Files app, then you need to first configure your Safari download folder, check it out here: Configuring Safari Download Folder on your iPhone at JILAXZONE and re-download the “DolphiniOS.ipa” file.
Step 8) Install DolphiniOS to iPhone.
| Prerequisites: Before proceeding to the steps below, ensure you have done Step 1) until Step 7) and ensure you have AltServer running on your Computer and your iPhone plugged in to the same Computer that AltServer is running. |
With iPhone connected to your computer with AltServer running, follow these steps:
Step 8a) Run AltStore app. On your iPhone, tap AltStore app icon to run it.
Step 8b) Navigate to My Apps. Once AltStore is opened, tap on “My Apps” tab.
Step 8c) Tap on “+” button located on the top left of AltStore screen.
Step 8d) Navigate to the download folder where you have downloaded “DolphiniOS.ipa” file. Tap on the file to begin installing. In case prompted, key-in your Apple ID and password – this is required for code signing.
DolphiniOS should now in-progress being installed to your iPhone, you just need to wait until it finished installing. Once finished installing, it will appear on “My Apps” tab under “Active” section.
Just to be sure, you can go back to your iPhone Home screen and check whether you can see “DiOS” or “DiOS (Beta)” app icon on the Home screen. If you can see “DiOS” app on your Home screen, that means you have successfully installed DolphiniOS on your iPhone. Congrats! At this point, you can safely remove your iPhone from your computer.
Step 9) Run DolphiniOS on iPhone.
Running DolphiniOS on iPhone is as simple as tapping the “DiOS” or “DiOS (Beta)” icon. If this is your first time opening DolphiniOS, you won’t see any Nintendo Wii games on it. You need to get your own games for it. See the next step.
Step 10) Transfer Nintendo Wii games into DolphiniOS.
Well, due to legal reasons, Google here is your best friend. Find out how you can extract your own Nintendo Wii games to be a iso format readable by Dolphin / DolphiniOS.
| I would like to remind you this: Please DO RESPECT the Console Maker, Game makers, Developers, Publishers by always buying and playing the originals on their original systems. Without you supporting them, there won’t be any good and great systems and games in the coming future. |
Once you get your hands on Nintendo Wii games, you can use iTunes to transfer those games into your iPhone. Here’s how to transfer Nintendo Wii games into DolphiniOS:
Step 10a) Plug your iPhone to your Computer.
Step 10b) On your Computer, open iTunes. On iTunes screen, click on your iPhone icon located on top section to show your iPhone details.
Step 10c) On iPhone detail screen inside iTunes, on the left side of the iTunes screen, click on “File Sharing”.
Step 10d) On File Sharing section, click on “DiOS” or “DiOS (Beta)”. Click “Add File…” to add the game. If you can’t find the “Add File…” button, scroll the iTunes File Sharing screen a little bit down.
Step 10e) Locate your Nintendo Wii games to add and then click on “Add”.
Step 10f) Once finished transferring the game, click on “Done” button, then click on “Eject” button to safely remove your iPhone from your Computer.
Step 11) Start the game.
This is the moment you have been waiting for! Once you have transferred the game into DolphiniOS, on your iPhone do the following to start the game:
Step 11a) On your iPhone Home screen, tap “DiOS” or “DiOS (Beta)” app to start DolphiniOS.
Step 11b) Tap on “+” to add the game, navigate to the folder where you have transferred the Nintendo Wii games earlier, then tap on the game file to add it to the DolphiniOS.
Step 11c) Once the game appeared on the DolphiniOS home screen, tap the game you would like to play.
Enjoy the game! Just in case you can’t start nor play the game and instead getting this screen “Waiting for JIT” and a “Cancel” button, don’t sweat, continue to the section below to get the game up and running.
Article continues below.
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Steps to configure DolphiniOS on latest iOS
The following steps are fully optional and to be done if you are getting the “Waiting for JIT” screen and / or if you are on latest iOS (iOS 14.4 or anything above) and / or if your iPhone can’t run DolphiniOS on your iPhone.
| The steps written here are tested on: a) Latest iOS – at the time this article is written is iOS 15 Public Beta 3 and using the iPhone that I currently have – iPhone XR. In case you are not on iOS 15 or iPadOS 15 yet, check the link here to get iOS 15 & iPadOS 15: Here’s how to update iPhone to iOS 15 today (iPad and iPod Touch included!) at JILAXZONE. b) Latest Windows – at the time this article is written is Windows 11 Pro Preview Build 22000.100 co_release. In you are also using Windows and would like to install Windows 11, check the link here to get them installed: Getting Windows 11 and installing on your Computer at JILAXZONE. Should you are using different version of iOS or iPadOS and / or different computer OS (such as Linux / Mac), the steps may be slightly different but should not deviate too much. Anyway, in case you have questions / issues, feel free to put them down on the comment section down below, I’ll be more than happy to help you. |
Step 1) Connect your iPhone and ensure iTunes recognize it
Plug in your iPhone to your Computer. Open iTunes if it’s not automatically opened. Ensure your iPhone is recognized by iTunes and shown up on iTunes.
Do NOT unplug your iPhone until the rest of the steps here.
Step 2) Download libimobiledevice
libimobiledevice is set of libraries to communicate with services on iOS devices using native protocols. You can get libimobiledevice from the following link.
| Download libimobiledevice | https://github.com/libimobiledevice-win32/imobiledevice-net/releases/ |
Choose zip file according to your Computer OS. Since I’m using Windows, so I downloaded the Windows version.
| For easier references throughout the article: 1) regardless of the Computer version (whether Windows, Mac, or Linux), let’s just call the zip file downloaded from the link as “libimobiledevice.zip” 2) Since I’m using Windows and because different Windows Computer has different drive, for the rest of this article, I will use “D:\Programs\libimobiledevice” as the “libimobiledevice download folder”. You have the option to follow or use your own folder preference. |
Step 3) Navigate to “libimobiledevice download folder” and unzip the “libimobiledevice.zip”
Once downloaded into “libimobiledevice download folder” (inside “D:\Programs\libimobiledevice”), unzip “libimobiledevice.zip” file and place all the files into “libimobiledevice download folder” (inside “D:\Programs\libimobiledevice”).
If you do it correctly, you should be able to see “idevice_id.exe”, “ideviceimagemounter.exe” and “idevicedebug.exe” under “libimobiledevice download folder” (inside “D:\Programs\libimobiledevice”).
Step 4) Open Command Prompt / Terminal, navigate to “libimobiledevice download folder”
On your Computer and assuming “libimobiledevice download folder” is located at “D:\Programs\libimobiledevice”, do the following:
Step 4a) Click on Windows button, type “Command Prompt”, then press Enter. Command Prompt window will then open.
Step 4b) Inside the Command Prompt window, type “D:” without the double quotes. Then press Enter. If your “libimobiledevice download folder” is different from mine, adjust the command yourself.
Step 4c) Inside the Command Prompt window, type “CD D:\Programs\libimobiledevice” without the double quotes. Then press Enter. If your “libimobiledevice download folder” is different from mine, adjust the command yourself.
If you are doing the steps correctly, now your Command Prompt should be showing the “libimobiledevice download folder” at “D:\Programs\libimobiledevice”.
Step 5) Getting iPhone UDID via Command Prompt / Terminal
On your Computer and assuming “libimobiledevice download folder” is located at “D:\Programs\libimobiledevice”, do the following:
Step 5a) Inside the Command Prompt window, type “idevice_id.exe” without the double quote. Then press Enter.
Step 5b) Take note of the 25 character (including the “-“) of your iPhone UDID. The iPhone UDID is shown in this format: XXXXXXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (USB).
Step 6) Check and get DolphiniOS Package ID.
On your iPhone, do the following:
Step 6a) Open AltStore app, then navigate to My Apps. Tap on “View App IDs”.
Step 6b) Find DiOS or DiOS Beta. Then write down the text you find below. It’s case sensitive, so be careful not to write them wrongly. This text is DolphiniOS Package ID, which is unique on every device. The DolphiniOS Package ID is shown in this format: me.oatmealdome.DolphiniOS-njb-XXXXXXXX.YYYYYYYYYY where XXXXXXXX refers to your DolphiniOS version and YYYYYYYYYY refers to your unique Apple Developer Beta ID.
| Tired of writing them from scratch? You can use the following template and change accordingly. DolphiniOS Release Build: me.oatmealdome.DolphiniOS-njb.YYYYYYYYYY DolphiniOS Beta Build: me.oatmealdome.DolphiniOS-njb-patreon-beta.YYYYYYYYYY |
Step 7) Download Developer Disk Image.
This image is used to inject the Just-In-Time (JIT) code / program into your iPhone. Download developer disk image according to your iOS version. For example: If you are like me, using iOS 15, then download the developer disk image for iOS 15.
On your Computer, do the following:
Step 7a) Open your Computer browser and click one of the links. For iOS 15, you can go to the Link #1 to get the developer disk image. For other iOS version, check both links to get your correct version.
Step 7b) Once you have found the correct version that match with your iOS version, download the zip file.
| Link # | Download Link |
|---|---|
| Link #1 | https://github.com/mspvirajpatel/Xcode_Developer_Disk_Images/releases/ |
| Link #2 | https://github.com/pdso/DeveloperDiskImage/tree/master |
If you are like me, using iOS 15, I download the 15.0.zip file.
| For easier references throughout the article: Due to different iOS version has different zip filename, for the rest of this article, let’s just call the whichever version of zip file as “developer disk image.zip”. |
Step 8) Unzip the “developer disk image.zip” into “libimobiledevice download folder”
On your Computer and assuming “libimobiledevice download folder” is located at “D:\Programs\libimobiledevice”, do the following:
Step 8a) Unzip “developer disk image.zip”.
Step 8b) Check the files generated. If you did it correctly, you should see 2 files: DeveloperDiskImage.dmg and DeveloperDiskImage.dmg.signature.
Step 9) Mount Developer Disk Image
This step requires your iPhone to be in unlock position with screen turned on. If the iPhone screen goes off, the process will fail and throw error.
On your Computer, with Command Prompt window is still opened and assuming “libimobiledevice download folder” is located at “D:\Programs\libimobiledevice”, do the following:
Step 9a) Inside the Command Prompt window, type “ideviceimagemounter.exe D:\Programs\libimobiledevice\DeveloperDiskImage.dmg” without the double quotes. Then press Enter.
Step 9b) Ensure you are getting “Status: Complete” message on Command Prompt window after executing the previous step.
Step 10) Running iDeviceDebug
On your Computer, with Command Prompt window is still opened and assuming “libimobiledevice download folder” is located at “D:\Programs\libimobiledevice”, do the following:
Step 10a) Inside Command Prompt window, type “idevicedebug -u <iPhone UDID> –detach run <DolphiniOS PackageID>” without double quotes.
Replace <iPhone UDID> with your iPhone Unique UDID (check Step 5).
Replace <DolphiniOS Package ID> with your own DolphiniOS unique Package ID (Check Step 6).
Step 10b) Press Enter to execute the command.
Step 10c) If you run the command correctly with correct iPhone UDID and correct DolphiniOS Package ID, dolphiniOS app on your iPhone will open.
Congratulations! You just enable Just-In-Time (JIT) code on DolphiniOS via the tether process. Now, it’s time to celebrate is by playing any of your favorite Nintendo Wii games. At this moment, it’s safe to unplug your iPhone from your Computer.
| Suggestions: Because the whole configuration process is a tether process, in which if DolphiniOS on your iPhone is closed / killed, you need to redo the tether process in order to (again) run Nintendo Wii games, so I would suggest you to save these commands on your Computer, so whenever you need them, you just execute them. Here are the important commands for Command Prompt: > D: > CD D:\Programs\libimobiledevice > idevice_id.exe > ideviceimagemounter.exe D:\Programs\libimobiledevice\DeveloperDiskImage.dmg > idevicedebug -u <iPhone UDID> –detach run <DolphiniOS Package ID> |
This tethering guide was referred from DolphiniOS website, unofficial workaround found by Jkcoxson and Spidy123222 (so all credits go to them), which in this article, I have personally expanded them by giving thorough explanations and steps for easier reading especially to those who are not geeky & not-so technical. If you prefer to see the original step done by Jkcoxson and Spidy123222, refer to this link instead: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11_jju27qzhH_epq9XS1SlIlaBDPfvekRRYs5NS_ze_U/edit
Important things to note for DolphiniOS
All the steps found under “Steps to configure DolphiniOS on latest iOS” section is called tether method. Using tether method, enables you to run DolphiniOS to play Nintendo Wii games as long as:
- DolphiniOS is active in AltStore (DolphiniOS will get inactived within the next 7 days), so don’t forget to refresh. Refer here to refresh when it has been expired: Steps to refresh app inside AltStore when expired at JILAXZONE.
- You don’t close nor kill DolphiniOS from the task switcher. If you accidentally close / kill DolphiniOS, you have to redo the tether process.
- Even if you don’t close / kill DolphiniOS, if you are opening too many other apps, at one point, DolphiniOS will get closed automatically by iOS internal process. In that case, you have to redo the tether process.
How to increase Nintendo Wi Game FPS on DolphiniOS
Depends on your iPhone model, but if DolphiniOS run slow on your iPhone, here are few thing you can do on your iPhone:
Step 1) Enable FPS
This is not a step to increase the FPS, but a way to show the FPS, so that you know exactly that the FPS is getting increased. Do the following:
Step 1a) Inside DolphiniOS app, go to Settings > Graphics > General.
Step 1b) Turn on “Show FPS”.
Step 2) Enable Asynchronous (Ubershaders)
This is to get a balanced between waiting time and the GPU processing power. Do the following:
Step 2a) Inside DolphiniOS app, go to Settings > Graphics > General > Mode.
Step 2b) Tap on Asynchronous (Ubershaders).
In case your game performance is getting worst after enabling this, switch back to “Synchronous”.
Step 3) Enable Compile Shaders Before Starting
This is to ensure all shaders required by the game are all first compiled, you can get increase in FPS at the cost of longer waiting time. Do the following:
Step 3a) Inside DolphiniOS app, go to Settings > Graphics > General.
Step 3b) Turn on Compile Shaders Before Starting.
Step 4) Enable iOS Game Mode
Before starting DolphiniOS, to first enable iOS Game mode. Check out the link here: Here’s how to use and activate iOS Game Mode at JILAXZONE.
If you have other methods of increasing the game FPS and happy to share, please let me know the steps on the comment section down below. I’ll be happy to include your step to be part of the guide.
Controller Recommendation
Playing retro games is always better with controller!
While you can always use the touchscreen of the iPhone, but for greater fun and enjoyment, I would recommend you to play the games with the Controller using physical buttons – so the experience is (almost) the same like the original. Just in case you need recommendation, here they are. I am personally using Nimbus and DualShock 4 to play the games.
| Razer Kishi | Best telescopic controller for iPhone. It comes with Lightning connector for passthrough charging as well as better low-latency gaming. In case you need it: Get Razer Kishi for iPhone on Amazon |
| SteelSeries Nimbus+ | For playing iOS games. I like it because it’s MFi certified – Made for iOS, any controller-compatible games will for sure run with this controller. In case you need it: Get SteelSeries Nimbus+ on Amazon Get Nimbus iPhone clipper on AliExpress. |
| Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller | Great controller from Xbox compatible with your Xbox (of course!) as well as Windows PC, Android and iOS, recommended for those with big hands. Read here for pairing Xbox Series X|S Controller with your iPhone at JILAXZONE. In case you need it: Get Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller on Amazon |
| PS5 DualSense | Awesome controller from PlayStation compatible with your PS5 (of course!) as well as Android and iOS, recommended for those with smaller hands. Read here for pairing PS5 DualSense Controller with your iPhone at JILAXZONE. In case you need it: Get PS5 DualSense on Amazon |
| PS4 DualShock | While DualSense is the latest PlayStation controller, but doesn’t mean DualShock 4 is bad. DualShock 4 is indeed one of the cheaper alternative to get into gaming on your Android and iOS, recommended for those with smaller hands. In case you need it: Get PS4 DualShock 4 on Amazon Get PS4 DualShock 4 on AliExpress |
Note: If you buy anything from Amazon / AliExpress using links above, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost charged on your purchases.
Other retro game emulators available on iPhone (and iPad and iPod Touch)
These are other retro game emulators available on iPhone, none of them requires jailbreak.
| Emulator | Description | Installation guide Link |
|---|---|---|
| CEMU | Nintendo Wii U emulator, workaround for iOS | CEMU workaround for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| Delta | Multiple Nintendo console emulator for iOS | Delta for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| eNGE | PS1 emulator for iOS | eNGE for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| iNDS | NDS emulator for iOS | iNDS for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| PPSSPP | PSP emulator for iOS | PPSSPP for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| Provenance | Multiple game console emulator for iOS | Provenance for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| RetroArch | Multiple game console emulator for iOS | RetroArch for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| RetroGameBot | Multiple game console emulator runs on Safari for iOS | RetroGamesBot for iOS at JILAXZONE |
| Yuzu | Nintendo Switch emulator, workaround for iOS | Yuzu workaround for iOS at JILAXZONE |
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