Skins

Customize on-screen controls with skins for every system

Skins are custom controller overlays that let you personalize the look and feel of Provenance's on-screen controls. Choose from hundreds of community-created designs, from classic console aesthetics to modern minimalist layouts.

What Are Skins?

Skins change the visual appearance of your on-screen controller buttons and d-pad while you play. Each skin is designed for a specific system (e.g., NES, Game Boy, PlayStation) and can completely transform your gaming experience.

Examples of popular skin styles:

• 🎨 Console-accurate - Recreates the original hardware's button layout and colors

• 🌈 Custom colors - Transparent, neon, retro themes

• 📱 Minimalist - Simple, clean buttons that don't obstruct gameplay

• 🎮 Game-themed - Styled after specific games (Pokémon, Mario, Sonic)

• 👻 Invisible - For Backbone/Kishi users who want physical controls only

✨ What's New (Version 3.2.0+)

Skins are now 100% FREE for all users! No Provenance Plus subscription required.

Key improvements:

• ⚡ Dramatically faster rendering and loading

• 🔄 Fixed rotation issues (smooth orientation changes)

• 💾 Optimized memory usage

• 🎮 Full support for all RetroArch cores

• 📱 Works on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV

Supported Systems

Skins work with all systems except:

• ❌ Nintendo 3DS (coming soon)

• ❌ Nintendo DS (coming soon)

Fully supported systems include:

• ✅ NES, SNES, N64

• ✅ Game Boy, GBC, GBA

• ✅ Genesis, Sega CD, Dreamcast

• ✅ PlayStation, PSP

• ✅ Atari, Neo Geo, TurboGrafx-16

• ✅ And 30+ more!

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How to Get Skins

Download from DeltaStyles.com

DeltaStyles is the largest community repository for Provenance-compatible skins.

What's available:

• 🎨 Hundreds of free skins

• 🎮 Organized by system (NES, GBA, PlayStation, etc.)

• 🌈 Multiple color themes per system

• 👥 Community uploads and ratings

File format: .deltaskin

Compatibility: Provenance supports both Delta skins and Manic skins - they're the same format!

Other Sources

• PlayCase.gg - Curated skin collection

• Reddit (r/EmulationOniOS) - Community-shared skins

• Discord - Provenance community often shares custom skins

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How to Import Skins

Method 1: Direct Download (Safari)

1. Visit DeltaStyles.com on your iPhone/iPad

2. Browse by system (e.g., Game Boy Advance)

3. Tap "Download" on a skin you like

4. Safari will download the .deltaskin file

5. Tap the downloaded file in Safari's download manager

6. Select "Open in Provenance"

7. ✅ Skin is now imported!

Method 2: AirDrop

1. Download skins on your Mac/another device

2. AirDrop the .deltaskin files to your iPhone/iPad

3. Tap the file when it arrives

4. Select "Open in Provenance"

Method 3: Files App

1. Save .deltaskin files to iCloud Drive or local storage

2. Open Files app

3. Navigate to the skin file

4. Tap and hold → Share → Provenance

Method 4: Import via Settings

1. Open Provenance

2. Tap Settings (gear icon)

3. Scroll to Controller Skins

4. Tap a system (e.g., "Game Boy Advance")

5. Tap "+" to import from Files app

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How to Apply Skins

Set a Global Default (Per System)

Apply a skin to all games for a specific system:

1. Open Provenance

2. Tap Settings → Controller Skins

3. Select a system (e.g., "Super Nintendo")

4. Tap the skin you want to use

5. Select "Set as Default"

6. ✅ This skin will now be used for all SNES games

Set a Skin for One Game

Apply a unique skin to a specific game only:

1. Long-press a game in your library

2. Tap "Game Settings"

3. Scroll to Controller Skin

4. Select a skin from the list

5. ✅ This game will now use that skin (overrides global default)

Switch Skins Mid-Game

Change skins without exiting your game:

1. While playing, open the pause menu (pause button)

2. Tap Settings

3. Tap Controller Skin

4. Select a new skin

5. Resume playing with the new skin applied

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Skin Browser

Provenance includes a built-in skin browser for managing your collection:

How to access:

• Settings → Controller Skins → [System Name]

Features:

• 📸 Preview thumbnails - See what each skin looks like

• 🗑️ Delete skins - Swipe left to remove unwanted skins

• 🌟 Mark favorites - Star your most-used skins for quick access

• 📂 Organize by system - Automatic sorting by console

Performance tip: The skin browser in version 3.2.0+ is dramatically faster than previous versions. Scrolling through large collections is now smooth and responsive.

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Creating Custom Skins

Can I Make My Own Skins?

Yes! Custom skin creation is supported, but it requires design tools and familiarity with the .deltaskin file format.

What you need:

• 🎨 Image editor (Photoshop, GIMP, Affinity Designer)

• 📐 Understanding of JSON (skin configuration file)

• 📱 iOS device resolution knowledge (different layouts for iPhone/iPad)

File Structure

A .deltaskin file is actually a ZIP archive containing:

MySkin.deltaskin/
├── info.json          # Skin metadata (name, author, system)
├── portrait.png       # Portrait mode controller image
├── landscape.png      # Landscape mode controller image
├── edgeToEdge.png     # (Optional) Full-screen layout
└── assets/            # (Optional) Additional graphics
    └── preview.png    # Thumbnail for skin browser

info.json Structure

{
  "name": "My Custom Skin",
  "identifier": "com.yourname.myskin",
  "gameTypeIdentifier": "com.provenance.gba",
  "author": "Your Name",
  "version": "1.0",
  "orientation": "portrait",
  "mappings": {
    "a": { "x": 280, "y": 380, "width": 60, "height": 60 },
    "b": { "x": 340, "y": 320, "width": 60, "height": 60 },
    "dpad": { "x": 40, "y": 360, "width": 100, "height": 100 }
  }
}

Key fields:

• gameTypeIdentifier - System this skin is for (see System Identifiers below)

• mappings - Button positions (x, y coordinates + dimensions)

• orientation - "portrait", "landscape", or both

System Identifiers

Common system identifiers for info.json:

System	Identifier
NES	com.provenance.nes
SNES	com.provenance.snes
Game Boy	com.provenance.gb
Game Boy Color	com.provenance.gbc
Game Boy Advance	com.provenance.gba
Nintendo 64	com.provenance.n64
Genesis	com.provenance.genesis
PlayStation	com.provenance.psx
PSP	com.provenance.psp
Dreamcast	com.provenance.dreamcast

For a complete list, check the Provenance GitHub wiki or Delta's documentation.

Tools for Skin Creation

Recommended workflow:

1. Download an existing skin as a template

2. Unzip the .deltaskin file (rename to .zip → extract)

3. Edit PNG images in your image editor

4. Adjust info.json mappings if needed

5. Re-zip the folder → rename to .deltaskin

6. Import into Provenance and test

Advanced tools:

• Delta Skin Editor (web-based tool) - Simplifies mapping button coordinates

• Skin Template PSDs - Pre-made Photoshop templates (search GitHub/Reddit)

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Tips & Best Practices

For Best Performance

1. ✅ Use optimized PNGs - Compress images to reduce file size (tinypng.com)

2. ✅ Avoid overly complex designs - Simple graphics load faster

3. ✅ Test on your device - Preview how skins look at actual screen size

4. ✅ Delete unused skins - Keep your collection organized

For Better Gameplay

1. 🎮 Match button placement to your grip - Different layouts feel better for different hand sizes

2. 🔆 Consider transparency - Semi-transparent buttons let you see more of the game

3. 📱 Test both orientations - Some games play better in portrait vs landscape

4. 👀 Check button visibility - Make sure buttons are easy to see against game graphics

Popular Community Recommendations

Best all-around skins (per DeltaStyles ratings):

• GBA: "Atomic Purple" (classic transparent purple)

• SNES: "Classic Gray" (original SNES controller recreation)

• PlayStation: "DualShock" (authentic PS1 button layout)

• Game Boy: "DMG Original" (1989 gray brick aesthetic)

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Troubleshooting

Skin Not Showing in Browser

Problem: Imported skin doesn't appear in the skin list

Solutions:

1. ✅ Check file extension - Must be .deltaskin (not .zip)

2. ✅ Verify system - Skin must match a supported system (3DS/DS not yet supported)

3. ✅ Restart Provenance - Force quit app and reopen

4. ✅ Re-import - Delete and re-download the skin

Skin Looks Corrupted or Glitchy

Problem: Buttons are misaligned, missing, or stretched

Solutions:

1. ✅ Re-download skin - File may have been corrupted during download

2. ✅ Check device compatibility - Some skins are iPhone-only or iPad-only

3. ✅ Update Provenance - Older versions had skin rendering bugs (fixed in 3.2.0+)

4. ✅ Report to skin creator - Leave feedback on DeltaStyles or GitHub

Buttons Don't Respond

Problem: Tapping skin buttons doesn't register input

Solutions:

1. ✅ Check info.json mappings - Button coordinates may be wrong

2. ✅ Disable "Touch Controls" - Settings → ensure touch controls are enabled

3. ✅ Try a different skin - Test if the issue is skin-specific

4. ✅ Restart game - Close and relaunch the game

Performance Slowdown with Skins

Problem: Game lags or stutters after applying a skin

Solutions:

1. ✅ Use simpler skins - Complex, high-resolution graphics add overhead

2. ✅ Update to 3.2.0+ - Massive skin performance improvements

3. ✅ Close background apps - Free up memory

4. ✅ Disable visual filters - Turn off CRT/Smoothing in settings

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Storage & File Management

Where Are Skins Stored?

Local storage only - Skins are stored on your device in Provenance's app container.

iCloud sync: Skins do not currently sync via iCloud (ROMs and saves do, but not skins).

File size: Most skins are 500KB - 2MB each (negligible storage impact).

How to Organize Many Skins

Recommended workflow:

1. Delete unused skins - Swipe left in skin browser

2. Name skins clearly - Use descriptive names when creating custom skins

3. Keep backups - Save favorite skins to iCloud Drive or Files app

Sharing Skins

How to share your custom skins:

1. Export the .deltaskin file from Provenance

2. Upload to DeltaStyles.com (create free account)

3. Or share via AirDrop, Discord, Reddit

Community etiquette:

• 🙏 Credit original artists if you modify their work

• 📝 Include a preview screenshot when sharing

• 🔄 Share source files (PSD/Figma) for easier community remixing

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do skins work on Apple TV? A: Yes! Skins render on Apple TV when using touch-based systems (though most users prefer physical controllers).

Q: Can I use the same skin on multiple systems? A: No - each skin is designed for a specific system's button layout (SNES skins won't work for GBA).

Q: Are animated skins supported? A: Not currently - only static PNG images.

Q: Do skins affect game performance? A: Minimal impact in version 3.2.0+ thanks to optimized rendering. Older versions had more overhead.

Q: Can I disable skins entirely? A: Yes - select the default "Standard" skin for any system to use Provenance's built-in controls.

Q: Where can I request a specific skin design? A: Check the Provenance Discord or r/EmulationOniOS - community designers often take requests!

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Next Steps

• 🎨 Browse skins at DeltaStyles →

• 🎮 Controllers & Controls Guide - Optimize your control setup

• 📱 Performance Optimization - Get the best gameplay experience

• ⚙️ Troubleshooting Guide - Fix common issues

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Have an amazing skin to share? Join the Provenance community on Discord and show off your creations! 🎨

Skins feature available in Provenance 3.2.0 and later. Update to the latest version for best performance.