Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Provenance — free multi-system emulator for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS with 38+ supported systems

Welcome to Provenance! Whether you just downloaded from the App Store or are a longtime user, this FAQ covers everything you need to know.

Looking for advanced installation help? See Advanced Installation FAQ (sideloading, building from source)

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Getting Started

Is Provenance really free?

Yes, 100% free! You can download from the App Store and play all 38 systems without paying a cent.

Provenance Plus is an optional subscription or lifetime purchase ($3.99/month, $39.99/year, or $99.99 lifetime) that adds premium features like iCloud sync, but it's not required to enjoy the full emulation experience.

What is Provenance Plus?

Provenance Plus is your ticket to seamless multi-device gaming.

The experience:

• Start playing on your Apple TV (big screen, couch gaming)

• Save your progress (automatic cloud backup)

• Pick up your iPhone on the commute

• Continue exactly where you left off

How it works:

• Apple TV: FREE CloudKit sync (no permanent storage, needs cloud backup)

• iPhone/iPad/Mac: Provenance Plus unlocks sync ($3.99/month, $39.99/year, or $99.99 lifetime)

Feature	Free	Provenance Plus
All 38 systems	✅	✅
Unlimited games	✅	✅
Save states	✅	✅
Controller support	✅	✅
Skins	✅	✅
Apple TV CloudKit sync	✅ FREE	✅
iPhone/iPad/Mac CloudKit sync	❌	✅
Multi-device save sync	❌	✅
Early access to new cores	❌	✅
TestFlight beta access	❌	✅
Priority support	❌	✅

What syncs: ✅ Your entire game library ✅ Save states (freeze time, resume anywhere) ✅ Battery saves (in-game progress) ✅ Custom artwork and metadata ✅ Skins (controller overlays) ✅ BIOS files

Pricing: $3.99/month, $39.99/year, or $99.99 lifetime (with free trial)

Do I need Provenance Plus to play games?

No. All emulation features are completely free. Provenance Plus only adds optional cloud sync and early access features.

How do I install Provenance?

From the App Store (recommended):

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV

2. Search for "Provenance"

3. Tap Get → Install

4. ✅ Done! Launch the app and start adding games

Alternative methods: See Installing Provenance for sideloading or building from source.

How do I update Provenance?

App Store users: Updates are automatic! Just keep automatic updates enabled in Settings → App Store.

Manual update: App Store → Provenance → Update button (if available)

Sideloaders/builders: See Updating Guide

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Using Provenance

How do I import ROMs?

AirDrop

Easiest method:

1. AirDrop ROM files from Mac/iPhone to your device

2. Tap files → Open in Provenance

3. Games appear in your library automatically

Files App

Safari Download

Mac Finder (USB)

Full guide: Importing ROMs

Where can I get ROMs or BIOS files?

We cannot provide ROMs or links due to copyright law.

Legal options:

• ✅ Create backups of games you own

• ✅ Homebrew ROMs (free, legal games created by fans)

• ✅ Public domain titles

DO NOT ask us or the community where to obtain copyrighted ROMs or BIOS files.

BIOS files: Some systems require BIOS files to work. See BIOS Requirements for details.

What systems are supported?

38+ systems including:

• Nintendo: NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy, GBA, GameCube, 3DS, DS

• PlayStation: PS1, PSP

• Sega: Genesis, Dreamcast, Saturn, Game Gear, Sega CD

• Atari, Neo Geo, TurboGrafx-16, and many more!

Full list: Supported Systems

Which systems work best on my device?

iPhone / iPad

• ✅ Perfect: NES, SNES, GB, GBA, Genesis (all supported devices — iPhone 8 or iPhone SE (2nd/3rd gen) or newer)

• ✅ Great: PlayStation, N64 (iPhone 8 or iPhone SE (2nd/3rd gen) or newer)

• ⚠️ Demanding: GameCube, Dreamcast, PSP (iPhone 11+ or M1 iPad)

Apple TV

Mac (Apple Silicon)

Full guide: Performance Optimization

Can I use a controller?

Yes! Provenance supports nearly every modern controller:

Fully supported:

• 🎮 PlayStation 4 / PlayStation 5 DualShock / DualSense

• 🎮 Xbox One / Xbox Series X|S Controller

• 🎮 MFi (Made for iOS) controllers

• 🎮 8BitDo controllers (most models)

• 🎮 Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

• 📱 Siri Remote (tvOS 17+, basic games only)

How to pair: Settings → Bluetooth → Put controller in pairing mode

Full guide: Controllers & Controls

What are skins? How do I use them?

Skins are custom controller overlays that change the look of on-screen buttons.

Features:

• 🎨 Hundreds of free designs (DeltaStyles.com)

• 🌈 Classic console aesthetics, modern minimalist, game-themed

• 📱 Compatible with Delta/Manic skins (.deltaskin format)

• ✅ Free for all users (no Plus required)

How to get skins:

1. Visit DeltaStyles.com on your device

2. Download a .deltaskin file

3. Tap file → Open in Provenance

4. Apply in Settings → Controller Skins

Full guide: Skins Guide

How do I enable iCloud sync?

Requires: Provenance Plus subscription

Setup:

1. Subscribe to Provenance Plus in-app

2. Provenance → Settings → iCloud Sync

3. Toggle ON

4. Wait for initial sync (may take hours for large libraries)

5. Enable on all devices with the same Apple ID

What syncs: ROMs, save states, battery saves, custom artwork, skins, BIOS files

What doesn't sync: App settings only

Full guide: Advanced ROM Management - iCloud Sync

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Troubleshooting

Why is the app crashing?

Common fixes:

1. Force quit and restart

   • Double-tap Home → Swipe up on Provenance

   • Relaunch the app

2. Update to latest version

   • App Store → Provenance → Update (if available)

3. Restart your device

   • Power off completely → Wait 10 seconds → Power on

4. Check for corrupted database

   • If crashes persist, see Troubleshooting Guide

Still crashing? Join our Discord for live help.

Why is [specific game] slow or stuttering?

Quick fixes:

1. ✅ Close background apps - Free up RAM

2. ✅ Disable visual filters - Settings → Turn off Smoothing/CRT

3. ✅ Update cores - Newer cores often have performance improvements

4. ✅ Try alternate core - Some games work better with different cores

5. ✅ Check device compatibility - GameCube/Wii need iPhone 11+ or M1 iPad

Detailed guide: Performance Optimization

Controller not working / buttons not responding

Solutions:

1. ✅ Re-pair controller

   • Settings → Bluetooth → Forget device → Pair again

2. ✅ Update controller firmware

   • Connect to PS5/Xbox console to update firmware

   • Or use manufacturer's app (8BitDo Firmware Updater, etc.)

3. ✅ Check battery

   • Low battery causes connection issues

4. ✅ Reduce interference

   • Move WiFi routers away from device

   • Use Ethernet on Apple TV (improves Bluetooth stability)

Full guide: Controllers & Controls

ROMs won't import / games missing from library

Checklist:

1. ✅ Check file format - See Formatting ROMs

2. ✅ Verify BIOS files - Some systems require BIOS: BIOS Requirements

3. ✅ Restart app - Force quit → Relaunch

4. ✅ Re-import - Delete file → Re-add to Provenance

5. ✅ Check ROM hash - Bad/corrupted ROMs won't import

Multi-disc games: Create M3U playlists - see Advanced ROM Management

iCloud sync not working

Requirements:

• ✅ Provenance Plus active subscription

• ✅ Available iCloud storage (Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud)

• ✅ Active internet connection

Fixes:

1. ✅ Disable → Re-enable sync - Settings → iCloud Sync → OFF → ON

2. ✅ Force quit Provenance - Restart app

3. ✅ Check iCloud storage - May be full

4. ✅ Wait 10-15 minutes - Large libraries take time

Full guide: iCloud Sync Troubleshooting

Dark mode not working on Apple TV

Provenance uses system-wide Dark Mode:

1. Apple TV Settings → General → Appearance

2. Select Dark ✓

3. Provenance will update automatically

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Migration & Switching

Can I migrate from Delta or RetroArch?

Yes! Your ROMs and saves are compatible.

From Delta:

1. Export saves from Delta (if needed)

2. Import ROMs into Provenance (same files work)

3. BIOS files: Copy to Provenance if needed

4. ✅ Delta skins work in Provenance (same .deltaskin format)

From RetroArch:

1. Export save files (.srm, .state)

2. Import ROMs into Provenance

3. Copy saves to Provenance saves folder (via Finder)

Can I switch from sideloaded Provenance to App Store version?

Yes! Your data transfers automatically:

1. Install Provenance from App Store

2. Launch app - library appears automatically (same data container)

3. (Optional) Delete sideloaded version

iCloud note: If using Provenance Plus, only enable sync on ONE version to avoid conflicts.

Can I use both App Store and sideloaded versions?

Yes, but not recommended - can cause iCloud sync conflicts.

If you must:

• Use different bundle IDs when building from source

• Only enable iCloud sync on ONE version

• Data won't automatically transfer between versions

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Provenance Plus

Why is CloudKit sync free on Apple TV but paid on iOS?

It's about the platform constraints:

Apple TV has no permanent storage - when you delete Provenance, your games and saves are gone. We include FREE CloudKit sync on tvOS so you never lose progress. It's not a premium feature, it's a necessity.

iPhone/iPad have permanent storage - your games and saves persist even if you delete the app. CloudKit sync is a premium convenience feature that lets you access your library on multiple devices.

Bottom line: tvOS sync = survival feature (free). iOS sync = premium multi-device experience (Plus).

Is Provenance Plus worth it?

Worth it if you:

• ✅ Own an Apple TV + iPhone/iPad (seamless gaming across devices)

• ✅ Want to start games on your couch, continue on your commute

• ✅ Never want to lose save progress (automatic cloud backup)

• ✅ Have multiple Apple devices (library syncs to all of them)

• ✅ Want early access to new features

Not worth it if you:

• ❌ Only use Apple TV (sync is already free!)

• ❌ Only use one iOS device (manual backups work fine)

• ❌ Don't care about multi-device gaming

The killer feature: Start Final Fantasy VII on your TV, pick it up on your iPhone during lunch break, continue on your iPad in bed. All without manually transferring saves.

Try it free: We offer an App Store trial so you can experience seamless multi-device gaming before subscribing.

How do I cancel Provenance Plus?

iOS/iPadOS:

1. Settings → [Your Name] → Subscriptions

2. Tap Provenance Plus

3. Cancel Subscription

Mac:

1. App Store → [Your Name] (top left) → Settings

2. Manage Subscriptions → Provenance Plus

3. Cancel

Your subscription remains active until the end of the billing period.

Does Provenance Plus work when sideloading?

Yes! But you need to use a unique bundle ID when building from Xcode.

How:

1. In Xcode, change bundle ID to something unique (e.g., com.yourname.provenance)

2. Build and install

3. Subscribe to Provenance Plus in-app

4. ✅ Plus features will work

Default bundle ID: Won't work - app thinks it's App Store version but can't verify subscription.

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Advanced Topics

What if I don't have a Mac?

App Store users: No Mac needed! Just install from the App Store on your device.

Advanced users: See Advanced Installation FAQ for sideloading without a Mac.

Is jailbreak required?

No. Provenance works on all non-jailbroken devices via the App Store.

Can I install without a computer?

Yes! Just download from the App Store directly on your device.

Sideloading without a computer: See Advanced Installation FAQ for alternative methods.

When is the next release?

Check our GitHub Releases and Milestones for development status.

App Store users: Updates are automatic - no need to track releases manually!

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Community & Contributing

How can I contribute?

We're always looking for help!

Ways to contribute:

• 💻 Development - Browse GitHub Issues and submit PRs

• 🧪 Beta Testing - Join Provenance Plus for TestFlight access

• 📝 Documentation - Improve this wiki on GitHub

• 🎥 Content Creation - Create YouTube tutorials

• 💬 Community Support - Help users on Discord

Full guide: Contributing

Where can I get help?

Need help? We're here for you:

1. 📖 Search this FAQ - Most questions answered here

2. 🔍 Check Troubleshooting - Troubleshooting Guide

3. 💬 Join Discord - Live community support: discord.gg/provenance

4. 🐛 Report bugs - GitHub Issues

Before asking:

• ✅ Search existing GitHub issues

• ✅ Update to latest version

• ✅ Read relevant wiki guides

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Still Have Questions?

💬 Join our Discord for live community support!

🐛 Found a bug? Report it on GitHub Issues

📖 Advanced installation help? See Advanced Installation FAQ

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Last updated: March 2026