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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)

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

Using Provenance

How do I import ROMs?

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

  1. Save ROMs to iCloud Drive or local Files

  2. Navigate to the ROM file

  3. Tap Share → Open in Provenance

  1. Download ROM file in Safari

  2. Tap the downloaded file in the downloads menu

  3. Choose Open in Provenance

  1. Connect device to Mac via USB

  2. Open Finder → Select your device

  3. Files tab → Provenance

  4. Drag ROMs into the folder

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?

  • ✅ 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)

  • ✅ All systems run great on Apple TV 4K

  • ⚠️ Apple TV HD — stick to 16-bit and earlier for best performance

  • ✅ All systems run perfectly on M1/M2/M3/M4 Macs

  • No performance concerns on any Apple Silicon Mac

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

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

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

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

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.

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!

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

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

Last updated: March 2026

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