# Advanced ROM Management

This guide covers power-user workflows for managing 100+ games, multi-disc collections, custom metadata, backups, and optimization strategies for large libraries.

**For basic ROM importing**, see [Importing ROMs](/using-provenance/importing-roms.md) | **For file formats**, see [Formatting ROMs](/using-provenance/roms/formatting-roms.md)

***

## Table of Contents

* [Managing Large Libraries](#managing-large-libraries)
* [Multi-Disc Games](#multi-disc-games-advanced)
* [Metadata & Artwork](#metadata--artwork-optimization)
* [iCloud Sync Strategies](#icloud-sync-for-large-collections)
* [Backup & Migration](#backup--migration)
* [ROM Hacks & Patches](#rom-hacks--patches)
* [Performance Optimization](#performance-optimization)

***

## Managing Large Libraries

### Organizational Strategies

**Recommended structure for 1000+ ROMs:**

```
ROMs/
├── NES/           (250 games)
├── SNES/          (300 games)
├── GBA/           (200 games)
├── PlayStation/   (150 games)
│   ├── Multi-Disc/     (Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid)
│   └── Single-Disc/    (Crash, Spyro)
└── N64/           (100 games)
```

**Benefits:**

* ⚡ Faster library loading (Provenance indexes by system)
* 🔍 Easier to find specific games
* ☁️ Better iCloud sync organization
* 📊 Clearer storage usage tracking

### Naming Conventions

**Use consistent naming for automatic metadata matching:**

✅ **Good:** `Final Fantasy VII (USA).chd`\
✅ **Good:** `Super Mario World (USA) (Rev 1).smc`\
❌ **Bad:** `ff7_disk1.bin`\
❌ **Bad:** `mario[!].sfc`

**Best practices:**

* Include region codes: `(USA)`, `(Europe)`, `(Japan)`
* Use No-Intro or Redump naming standards
* Avoid special characters: `[`, `]`, `!`, `+`
* Be consistent with revision markers: `(Rev 1)`, `(v1.1)`

**Why this matters:**

* 🎨 Automatic artwork matching via OpenVGDB
* 📝 Accurate metadata (publisher, release date, genre)
* 🌐 Better game database recognition
* 💾 Proper multi-disc grouping

### Filtering & Searching

**Use Provenance's search features:**

1. **Library Search** - Tap magnifying glass
   * Search by title, system, or genre
   * Filters: Favorites, Recently Played, System
2. **Custom Collections** (Favorites)
   * Long-press game → "Add to Favorites"
   * Quick access to frequently played games
3. **System-Specific Views**
   * Browse by console for focused game selection
   * Faster scrolling than mixed library view

**Pro tip:** Mark 10-20 favorite games for quick access - much faster than scrolling through 1000+ titles.

***

## Multi-Disc Games (Advanced)

### M3U Playlists

**What are M3U files?**\
Plain text files that group multi-disc games into a single library entry with disc-swapping support.

**Example: Final Fantasy VII**

Create `Final Fantasy VII (USA).m3u`:

```
Final Fantasy VII (USA) (Disc 1).chd
Final Fantasy VII (USA) (Disc 2).chd
Final Fantasy VII (USA) (Disc 3).chd
```

**How to create:**

1. Use a text editor (Notes, TextEdit, VS Code)
2. List each disc file (one per line)
3. Save as `.m3u` with the **same name** as disc 1
4. Import the M3U + all disc files into Provenance

**Supported systems:**

* ✅ PlayStation (most common use case)
* ✅ Sega CD
* ✅ Saturn
* ✅ PC Engine CD / TurboGrafx-CD
* ✅ PC-FX

### CHD Format (Recommended)

**What is CHD?**\
Compressed Hunks of Data - a lossless compression format that reduces disc images by 40-70%.

**Benefits:**

* 💾 **Massive space savings** (700MB BIN/CUE → 300MB CHD)
* ⚡ **Faster loading** (less data to read from storage)
* 📦 **Single file** (no more .cue + .bin + .sub mess)
* ✅ **Full compatibility** (PlayStation, Sega CD, Saturn, Dreamcast)

**Conversion:**

**Mac/Linux:**

```bash
# Install chdman (part of MAME tools)
brew install rom-tools

# Convert BIN/CUE to CHD
chdman createcd -i "game.cue" -o "game.chd"

# Batch convert all CUE files
for f in *.cue; do chdman createcd -i "$f" -o "${f%.cue}.chd"; done
```

**Windows:**

```powershell
# Download chdman.exe from MAME website
# Run in command prompt
chdman.exe createcd -i "game.cue" -o "game.chd"
```

**After conversion:**

1. Verify CHD loads in Provenance
2. Delete original BIN/CUE files
3. Update M3U playlists to reference `.chd` files

**Storage comparison (real examples):**

| Game                        | BIN/CUE | CHD    | Savings |
| --------------------------- | ------- | ------ | ------- |
| Final Fantasy VII (3 discs) | 2.1 GB  | 1.2 GB | 43%     |
| Metal Gear Solid            | 702 MB  | 287 MB | 59%     |
| Resident Evil 2 (2 discs)   | 1.4 GB  | 623 MB | 55%     |

### Disc Swapping During Gameplay

**How to swap discs:**

1. **Open pause menu** (pause button)
2. **Tap "Change Disc"** (only appears for multi-disc games)
3. **Select the next disc** from the list
4. **Resume gameplay**

**When to swap:**

* Game prompts "Insert Disc 2"
* After major story progression (e.g., end of disc 1)
* For side content on bonus discs

**Pro tip:** Create save states **before** disc swap prompts - makes retrying easier if swap fails.

***

## Metadata & Artwork Optimization

### Automatic Metadata Matching

Provenance uses **OpenVGDB** to automatically fetch:

* 🎮 Game title (cleaned up)
* 🎨 Box art and screenshots
* 📅 Release date
* 🏢 Publisher/Developer
* 🎭 Genre

**To trigger re-matching:**

1. Long-press game in library
2. Tap "More Info"
3. Tap "Refresh Metadata"

**Improving match accuracy:**

* Use No-Intro or Redump naming standards
* Include region codes: `(USA)`, `(Japan)`
* Remove ROM hack tags: `[T+Eng]`, `[h1]`
* Verify ROM hash matches database (use `md5sum`)

### Custom Artwork

**Add your own box art/screenshots:**

1. Long-press game → **"Edit"**
2. Tap **"Artwork"** thumbnail
3. Choose source:
   * 📷 **Take Photo** - Capture physical box art
   * 🖼️ **Photo Library** - Use downloaded images
   * 📁 **Files** - Import from iCloud/Downloads
4. Crop and adjust
5. **Save**

**Recommended artwork specs:**

* **Format:** JPEG or PNG
* **Dimensions:** 512x512 minimum (1024x1024 ideal)
* **Aspect ratio:** Match original box art (varies by system)
* **File size:** Under 500KB for faster loading

**Where to find high-quality artwork:**

* [MobyGames](https://www.mobygames.com) - Comprehensive database
* [TheGamesDB](https://thegamesdb.net) - Community-curated
* [LaunchBox Database](https://gamesdb.launchbox-app.com) - High-res scans
* Physical box scans (your own collection)

### Metadata Editing

**Edit game information manually:**

1. Long-press game → **"Edit"**
2. Modify fields:
   * **Title** - Display name in library
   * **Publisher** - Company that released the game
   * **Developer** - Studio that created the game
   * **Release Date** - Original launch date
   * **Genre** - Category (RPG, Action, Platformer)
   * **Description** - Game summary

**Use cases:**

* 🎮 ROM hacks: `Super Mario World → Kaizo Mario World`
* 🌐 Fan translations: Add `(English Patched)` to title
* 🔧 Homebrew: Set proper developer credit
* 📝 Custom collections: Genre organization

***

## iCloud Sync for Large Collections

### Enable iCloud Sync (Provenance Plus)

**Requirements:**

* 📱 Provenance Plus subscription
* ☁️ Available iCloud storage (check Settings → \[Your Name] → iCloud)
* 📶 WiFi connection (recommended for large libraries)

**Setup:**

1. Provenance → **Settings** → **iCloud Sync**
2. Toggle **ON**
3. Wait for initial upload (may take hours for 50+ GB)
4. Verify sync status: **Settings → iCloud Sync → Status**

### What Syncs?

✅ **Synced:**

* 🎮 ROM files
* 💾 Save states
* 🎯 Battery saves
* 🎨 Custom artwork
* 📝 Metadata edits
* 📁 BIOS files

❌ **Not synced:**

* ⚙️ App settings
* 🎮 Controller mappings

### Optimizing for Large Libraries

**Best practices:**

1. **Use CHD format** - 40-70% smaller files = faster sync
2. **Delete duplicates** - Remove (Europe) ROMs if you have (USA)
3. **Clean up old saves** - Delete unused save states
4. **Schedule uploads** - Enable sync overnight when on WiFi
5. **Monitor storage** - Check iCloud storage usage monthly

**Storage tiers:**

* 50 GB: $0.99/month - Fits \~200 games (CHD format)
* 200 GB: $2.99/month - Fits \~800 games
* 2 TB: $9.99/month - Fits entire collection + backups

**Sync speed expectations:**

| Library Size        | Initial Upload | Incremental Sync |
| ------------------- | -------------- | ---------------- |
| 10 GB (50 games)    | 1-2 hours      | 5-10 minutes     |
| 50 GB (250 games)   | 6-12 hours     | 15-30 minutes    |
| 200 GB (1000 games) | 24-48 hours    | 30-60 minutes    |

**Pro tip:** Import ROMs in batches of 20-30 games, let iCloud sync, then import next batch. Avoids overwhelming the sync queue.

### Troubleshooting iCloud Issues

**Sync stuck or slow:**

1. Force quit Provenance
2. Disable iCloud Sync
3. Re-enable iCloud Sync
4. Restart device
5. Wait 10-15 minutes for queue to process

**"Not enough iCloud storage":**

1. Check usage: Settings → \[Your Name] → iCloud
2. Delete old device backups
3. Upgrade iCloud plan
4. Or disable iCloud sync for less-played systems

***

## Backup & Migration

### Backing Up Your Library

**Method 1: Mac/PC File Sharing (Best)**

1. Connect iOS device to Mac via USB
2. Open **Finder** → Select device
3. **Files** tab → **Provenance**
4. Drag **entire folder** to Mac desktop
5. Store backup on external drive or cloud storage

**Backup includes:**

* All ROMs
* Save states
* Battery saves
* BIOS files
* Custom artwork
* Metadata database

**Method 2: iCloud Drive (If Sync Enabled)**

Your data is already backed up to iCloud. To export:

1. Mac **Finder** → **iCloud Drive** → **Provenance**
2. Copy folder to external drive
3. Store as secondary backup

**Method 3: File Sharing via Finder (or iTunes on older Macs)**

On macOS Catalina and later (iTunes was removed in 2019):

1. Connect iOS device to Mac via USB
2. Open **Finder** → Select device in sidebar
3. **Files** tab → **Provenance**
4. Save files to Mac

On older Macs with iTunes (macOS Mojave and earlier):

1. iTunes → Device → **File Sharing**
2. Select **Provenance**
3. Save files to Mac

### Migrating to a New Device

**Transfer everything from old iPhone/iPad to new one:**

**Option A: iCloud Sync (Easiest)**

1. Old device: Enable iCloud Sync, wait for upload
2. New device: Install Provenance, log in with same Apple ID
3. Enable iCloud Sync → Wait for download
4. ✅ Done - library appears automatically

**Option B: Mac Backup/Restore**

1. Backup old device via Finder (see above)
2. Install Provenance on new device
3. Connect new device to Mac
4. Finder → New device → Files → Provenance
5. Drag backup folder into Provenance container
6. Restart Provenance on new device

**Option C: AirDrop (Small Libraries Only)**

1. Export ROMs from old device (Share → AirDrop)
2. On new device, accept files
3. Open in Provenance
4. Repeat for all games

***

## ROM Hacks & Patches

### Applying IPS/BPS Patches

**What are ROM patches?**\
Modification files that transform original ROMs into:

* 🌐 Fan translations (Japanese → English)
* 🎮 ROM hacks (Kaizo Mario, Pokémon randomizers)
* 🐛 Bug fixes (community patches)

**How to patch:**

**Mac/Linux:**

```bash
# Install Flips patcher
brew install flips

# Apply IPS patch
flips --apply "patch.ips" "original-rom.smc" "patched-rom.smc"

# Apply BPS patch (more reliable)
flips --apply "patch.bps" "original-rom.gba" "patched-rom.gba"
```

**Windows:**

* Download **Floating IPS (Flips)** or **Lunar IPS**
* Open patcher → Select original ROM → Select patch file → Apply
* Save output with descriptive name

**After patching:**

1. Import patched ROM into Provenance
2. Edit metadata to reflect patch name
3. Add custom artwork if desired

**Popular ROM hacks:**

* **Super Mario World** → Kaizo Mario World (extreme difficulty)
* **Pokémon FireRed** → Pokémon Unbound (new story)
* **Zelda: A Link to the Past** → Parallel Worlds (new dungeons)
* **Final Fantasy VI** → Brave New World (rebalanced)

***

## Performance Optimization

### Large Library Loading Speed

**If your library is slow to load:**

1. ✅ **Delete unused ROMs** - Remove games you never play
2. ✅ **Optimize artwork** - Compress images under 500KB
3. ✅ **Clear cache** - Settings → Advanced → Clear Cache
4. ✅ **Restart device** - Frees up memory
5. ✅ **Disable iCloud sync temporarily** - Re-enable after cleanup

### Database Maintenance

**Rebuild game database (if corrupted):**

⚠️ **Warning:** Only do this if library loading is broken

1. Force quit Provenance
2. Delete database file via Finder (Mac):
   * Connect device
   * Finder → Device → Files → Provenance
   * Delete `Provenance.realm` file
3. Restart Provenance
4. Library will rebuild (may take 10-30 minutes)

**Symptoms of corrupted database:**

* Games appear duplicated
* Metadata missing
* Artwork not loading
* Crashes on library screen

### Storage Management

**Find biggest files:**

1. Settings → General → iPhone Storage → Provenance
2. See total usage breakdown
3. Identify largest ROMs

**Systems ranked by typical storage:**

| System            | Avg per Game | 100 Games |
| ----------------- | ------------ | --------- |
| NES               | 200 KB       | 20 MB     |
| SNES              | 2 MB         | 200 MB    |
| GBA               | 8 MB         | 800 MB    |
| N64               | 12 MB        | 1.2 GB    |
| PlayStation (CHD) | 300 MB       | 30 GB     |
| Dreamcast (CHD)   | 600 MB       | 60 GB     |
| PSP (ISO)         | 1.2 GB       | 120 GB    |

**Space-saving tips:**

* 💾 Convert to CHD (PlayStation, Dreamcast, Saturn)
* 🗑️ Delete (Europe) duplicates if you have (USA)
* 📦 Use 7z compression for cartridge ROMs
* 🎮 Keep only games you actively play

***

## Quick Reference

### Essential Tools

**Mac:**

* **Flips** - ROM patcher (IPS/BPS)
* **chdman** - CHD converter
* **The Unarchiver** - Extract 7z, RAR

**Windows:**

* **Floating IPS** - ROM patcher
* **CHDman** - CHD converter
* **7-Zip** - Archive extraction

**Cross-platform:**

* **EmulationStation** - Test ROMs before importing
* **RomCenter** - ROM collection manager
* **ClrMAME Pro** - ROM verification

### File Format Cheat Sheet

| Format        | System                 | Use Case                            |
| ------------- | ---------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| `.chd`        | PS1, Dreamcast, Saturn | **Best** - Compressed disc images   |
| `.m3u`        | PS1, Sega CD           | **Required** - Multi-disc grouping  |
| `.7z`         | Cartridge ROMs         | Compression (extract before import) |
| `.cue + .bin` | PS1, Sega CD           | Legacy - Convert to CHD             |
| `.iso`        | PlayStation, PSP       | Uncompressed - Convert to CHD       |

### Common Issues & Solutions

| Problem                         | Solution                                                           |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Multi-disc game shows 3 entries | Create M3U playlist                                                |
| ROMs won't import               | Check [Formatting ROMs](/using-provenance/roms/formatting-roms.md) |
| Metadata incorrect              | Use proper naming convention                                       |
| Library slow to load            | Delete unused games, optimize artwork                              |
| iCloud sync stuck               | Disable/re-enable sync                                             |
| Duplicate games                 | Delete extras, rebuild database                                    |

***

## Next Steps

* 📖 [**Importing ROMs**](/using-provenance/importing-roms.md) - Basic import methods
* 📦 [**Formatting ROMs**](/using-provenance/roms/formatting-roms.md) - Supported file formats
* 🎨 [**Customizing ROMs**](/using-provenance/roms/customizing-roms.md) - Artwork and metadata basics
* 🔧 [**Applying Mods & Patches**](/using-provenance/roms/mods.md) - ROM modification guide
* ⚙️ [**Troubleshooting**](/help-and-community/troubleshooting.md) - Fix common issues

***

**Managing a massive collection?** Join the [Provenance Discord](https://discord.gg/provenance) to share tips with other power users! 🎮

*Advanced features like iCloud sync require Provenance Plus. Multi-disc support and CHD format available in all versions.*


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