iPad Features

iPad-specific features — skins, bezels, keyboard support, and big-screen gaming

Provenance runs natively on iPad and takes advantage of the larger display. From immersive CRT TV bezel skins to Smart Keyboard support, here's what makes iPad a great retro gaming platform.


iPad-Specific Skins

The iPad's larger screen enables unique skin designs that aren't possible on iPhone. The community has created stunning iPad-exclusive skins including:

CRT TV Bezel Skins

Some of the most popular iPad skins simulate playing on a retro CRT television — complete with a realistic TV frame, curved screen effect, and era-appropriate bezels. The game renders inside the "TV screen" while the bezel fills the rest of the iPad display.

Popular styles:

  • Retro wood-grain TV — 1970s/80s console aesthetic

  • 90s tube TV — Curved screen with volume knobs

  • Modern CRT monitor — Clean frame with scanline overlay

  • Arcade cabinet — Full arcade bezel experience

Where to Find iPad Skins

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When browsing skins on DeltaStyles, look for skins that specify iPad support. Many skins include both iPhone and iPad layouts in a single .deltaskin file.

Applying iPad Skins

  1. Download a .deltaskin file on your iPad

  2. Tap the file → Open in Provenance

  3. Settings → Controller Skins → select your system → choose the iPad skin

  4. The skin applies in both portrait and landscape orientations (if the skin supports both)


Landscape and Portrait Modes

The iPad's aspect ratio works well for both orientations:

Orientation
Best For

Landscape

Console games (NES, SNES, Genesis, PS1, N64) — matches original TV aspect ratio

Portrait

Handheld games (Game Boy, GBA, DS, 3DS) — stacked screens feel natural

Provenance automatically adjusts the game display and controls based on orientation. Skins can provide different layouts for each orientation.


Keyboard Support

iPad users with a Smart Keyboard, Magic Keyboard, or any Bluetooth keyboard can play games without on-screen controls:

Input
Key

D-Pad

Arrow keys

Left Stick

W/A/S/D

A / B / X / Y

Space / F / Q / E

L1 / R1

Tab / R

L2 / R2

Left Shift / V

Menu (Pause)

~ (tilde)

Full mappings: Smart Keyboard Mapping


External Controller

For the best experience, pair a Bluetooth controller:

  • PlayStation DualSense — Full feature support

  • Xbox Wireless Controller — Wide compatibility

  • 8BitDo controllers — Compact, great for travel with iPad

The larger iPad screen combined with a controller makes for an excellent portable retro gaming setup — especially for games that benefit from a bigger display (RPGs with small text, strategy games, DS games).


Multitasking

Provenance works alongside iPad multitasking features:

  • Slide Over — Quick-access Provenance alongside another app

  • Picture in Picture — Not available (games require active rendering)

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For the best gaming performance, use Provenance in full-screen mode and close other apps to maximize available CPU and RAM.


Display Considerations

iPad Feature
Impact

ProMotion (120Hz)

Smoother UI and menu navigation

Retina display

Sharp pixel art and crisp skin graphics

Larger screen

Better for systems with small text (RPGs, strategy)

True Tone

Warm color adjustment — disable for more accurate game colors (Settings → Display & Brightness)


See Also


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