Getting Started

Go from zero to playing your first game in under 10 minutes

New to Provenance? This walkthrough takes you from installation to playing your first game, step by step.

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Step 1: Install Provenance

iPhone / iPad

1. Open the App Store

2. Search for "Provenance" or tap: Provenance on App Store

3. Tap Get (it's free — ~2.5 GB download)

4. Once installed, tap Open

Apple TV

Mac (Apple Silicon)

That's it for installation. No developer account, no sideloading, no Xcode required.

Want to sideload or build from source instead? See Alternative Installation Methods.

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Step 2: Get Your Game Files Ready

Provenance plays ROMs — digital copies of game cartridges and discs. You'll need:

1. ROM files for the games you want to play

2. BIOS files (only for certain systems — see below)

Which systems need BIOS files?

Most systems work without any BIOS. These popular systems do NOT need BIOS — just drop in ROMs and play:

• NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy, GBC, GBA, Genesis, Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket, Atari 2600/7800

These systems require BIOS files before games will run:

• PlayStation (3 BIOS files)

• Sega CD (3 BIOS files)

• Sega Saturn (3 BIOS files)

• TurboGrafx-CD, Atari Lynx, Atari 5200, ColecoVision

Full list with filenames and MD5 hashes: BIOS Requirements

Import BIOS files before importing ROMs for that system. Provenance auto-detects them by MD5 hash — filenames don't matter.

Supported ROM formats

Format	Type	Best for
.zip	Compressed single ROM	Most cartridge games
.7z	Compressed single ROM	Most cartridge games
.chd	Compressed disc image	CD-based games (PS1, Sega CD, etc.)
.cue + .bin	Disc image pair	CD-based games (keep both files together)
.iso	Disc image	PSP, some CD systems

Full formatting guide: Formatting ROMs

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Step 3: Import Your First Game

Pick the method that works best for you:

AirDrop (Fastest)

Mac to iPhone/iPad — the quickest way to get started.

1. On your Mac, find your ROM file (e.g., SuperMarioWorld.zip)

2. Right-click → Share → AirDrop

3. Select your iPhone/iPad

4. On your device, tap Provenance when prompted

5. The game appears in your library automatically

Files App

Web Browser

Safari Download

Importing BIOS files works the same way — just AirDrop, copy, or upload them. Provenance auto-detects BIOS files by their contents and puts them in the right place.

Detailed guide: Importing ROMs

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Step 4: Play!

1. Your imported game appears in the Library with cover art (auto-matched)

2. Tap the game to launch it

3. Use on-screen controls or a connected Bluetooth controller

4. To pause, tap the Menu button (top of screen) for save states, settings, and quit options

Essential controls while playing

Action	On-screen	Controller
Pause / Menu	Tap pause button	Press Menu / Options
Save state	Pause → Save State	—
Load state	Pause → Load State	—
Fast forward	Pause → Fast Forward	—
Quit to library	Pause → Quit	—

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Step 5: Make It Yours

Now that you're playing, here are ways to improve the experience:

Connect a controller

Physical controllers make a huge difference. Any MFi or Bluetooth controller works:

• Best overall: PlayStation DualSense, Xbox Wireless Controller

• Best for iPhone: Razer Kishi V2, Backbone One (clip-on style)

• Budget-friendly: 8BitDo SN30 Pro

Full guide: Controllers & Controls

Customize your on-screen controls

Don't like the default buttons? Skins are free custom controller overlays:

1. Visit DeltaStyles.com on your device

2. Download a skin for your system (.deltaskin file)

3. Tap the file → Open in Provenance

4. Apply in Settings → Controller Skins

Full guide: Skins Guide

Sync across devices (optional)

Provenance Plus ($3.99/month, $39.99/year, or $99.99 lifetime) syncs your library, saves, and settings across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV via iCloud.

Apple TV users: iCloud sync is included free!

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Quick Reference

Task	Where
Import games	+ button in Library, or AirDrop / Files
Change controls	Settings → Controller Skins
Connect controller	Pair via Bluetooth (Settings → Bluetooth)
Save/load state	Pause menu during gameplay
Check BIOS status	Settings → Cores → [System name]
Get help	Troubleshooting or Discord

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Troubleshooting First-Time Setup

Game doesn't appear after importing

1. Check the file format — must be a supported ROM format

2. Pull down to refresh the library

3. Force quit Provenance and reopen

4. If importing via web server, wait for the upload to fully complete before navigating away

"Missing BIOS" or game shows black screen

The system requires BIOS files. Check BIOS Requirements for the exact files needed, then import them the same way you imported ROMs. Verify in Settings → Cores that the BIOS shows as detected (green).

Game runs slowly

• Close other apps running in the background

• Try a different emulator core (long-press game → Game Settings → Core)

• Some systems (N64, PSP, Dreamcast, 3DS) need newer hardware — see Performance Optimization

No sound

• Check your device isn't in Silent Mode (flip the side switch on iPhone)

• Make sure volume is up

• Check that no Bluetooth audio device is connected unexpectedly

Controller not working

• Ensure the controller is paired in Settings → Bluetooth

• Open a game, pause → check controller is assigned to Player 1

• See Controllers Guide for setup details

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Need more help? Check the Troubleshooting Guide, browse the FAQ, or join the Provenance Discord.