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

✨ Key Features

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

Highlights:

• ⚡ Fast rendering and loading

• 🔄 Smooth orientation changes

• 💾 Optimized memory usage

• 🎮 Full support for all RetroArch cores

• 📱 Works on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV

• 🎨 Multi-theme variants — multiple color schemes in one skin file

• 🌊 Animated backgrounds — frame sequences, APNG, or GIF

• ⌨️ Keyboard overlays — for C64, Atari, ZX Spectrum and other keyboard systems

• 📳 Per-button haptics — custom haptic intensity per button

Supported Systems

Skins work with all systems except:

• ❌ Nintendo DS (not currently supported)

Fully supported systems include:

• ✅ NES, SNES, N64

• ✅ Game Boy, GBC, GBA

• ✅ Nintendo 3DS (iOS/iPadOS/macOS only — not supported on tvOS)

• ✅ 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

Safari Download

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!

AirDrop

Files App

Import via Settings

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How to Apply Skins

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

Per-Game Skin

Switch Mid-Game

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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 features smooth, responsive scrolling even with large collections.

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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
    └── bg001.png      # (Optional) Animated background frames

info.json Structure

{
  "name": "My Custom Skin",
  "identifier": "com.yourname.myskin",
  "gameTypeIdentifier": "public.aoshuang.game.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 — use the Provenance/ManicEmu identifiers (public.aoshuang.game.*) for broadest compatibility:

System	Identifier
NES	public.aoshuang.game.nes
SNES	public.aoshuang.game.snes
Nintendo 64	public.aoshuang.game.n64
Nintendo DS	public.aoshuang.game.ds
Game Boy	public.aoshuang.game.gb
Game Boy Color	public.aoshuang.game.gbc
Game Boy Advance	public.aoshuang.game.gba
PlayStation	public.aoshuang.game.ps1
PSP	public.aoshuang.game.psp
Sega Genesis / MD	public.aoshuang.game.md
Sega CD	public.aoshuang.game.mcd
Sega 32X	public.aoshuang.game.32x
Game Gear	public.aoshuang.game.gg
Dreamcast	public.aoshuang.game.dc
PC Engine / TG-16	public.aoshuang.game.pce
Atari 2600	public.aoshuang.game.2600
Atari 7800	public.aoshuang.game.7800
Neo Geo	public.aoshuang.game.neogeo
Commodore 64	public.aoshuang.game.c64

Delta-compatible skins (com.rileytestut.delta.game.*) also work in Provenance.

For a complete list, check the Provenance skin catalog source code.

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Advanced ManicSkin Features

Provenance supports advanced skin capabilities that go beyond static button layouts. These features are configured in info.json and give skin creators powerful new options.

These features require the latest version of Provenance. Check App Store or advanced installs for the most current builds.

Multi-Theme Variants

A single skin file can contain multiple visual themes (e.g., light mode / dark mode / game-specific palettes). Users select themes via a segmented control in the skin picker.

{
  "name": "Lux GBA",
  "themes": [
    { "identifier": "dark",  "displayName": "Dark Mode" },
    { "identifier": "light", "displayName": "Light Mode" },
    { "identifier": "purple", "displayName": "Purple Haze" }
  ]
}

Each theme identifier corresponds to asset variants bundled inside the .deltaskin ZIP. The skin validator will catch missing theme assets before import.

Animated Backgrounds

Skins can include animated backgrounds behind the game screen using frame sequences, APNG, or GIF files.

Frame Sequence

"backgroundAnimation": {
  "type": "frames",
  "frames": ["bg001.png", "bg002.png", "bg003.png", "bg004.png"],
  "fps": 12,
  "loops": 0
}

loops: 0 means loop infinitely. Include the frame images inside your .deltaskin ZIP.

APNG / GIF

Supported blendMode values: normal, multiply, screen, overlay (optional field, defaults to normal).

Keyboard Overlay

For systems with keyboard input (Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit, ZX Spectrum, etc.), skins can include an on-screen keyboard overlay.

"keyboardOverlay": {
  "layout": "full",
  "position": "bottom",
  "opacity": 0.85,
  "autoShow": true
}

Layout variants:

layout	Description
full	Standard QWERTY keyboard
compact	Condensed layout for smaller screens
functionRow	Function keys only (F1–F12)
c64	Commodore 64 key layout
zxSpectrum	ZX Spectrum key layout
amstradCPC	Amstrad CPC key layout
atariST	Atari ST key layout

• position: "top" or "bottom" — where the keyboard appears on screen

• autoShow: true to show keyboard automatically when a text input is focused

Per-Button Haptics

Individual buttons can have custom haptic feedback intensity, letting skin creators match haptic feel to button importance or game genre.

Add hapticStrength to any button mapping:

"mappings": {
  "a": { "x": 280, "y": 380, "width": 60, "height": 60, "hapticStrength": "heavy" },
  "b": { "x": 340, "y": 320, "width": 60, "height": 60, "hapticStrength": "medium" },
  "start": { "x": 180, "y": 450, "width": 44, "height": 44, "hapticStrength": "light" }
}

Haptic strength values: none, light, medium, heavy, rigid, soft

Skin Validator

Provenance automatically validates .deltaskin files on import:

• Errors (block import): missing info.json, invalid gameTypeIdentifier, referenced image files not found in ZIP, malformed JSON

• Warnings (shown after import): missing optional fields, deprecated field names, oversized assets

The validator helps skin creators catch issues before distributing their work.

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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)

External skin creation guides:

• Manic EMU Homemade Skin Guide — Extremely detailed guide covering press animations, custom function buttons, and advanced skin features (uses the same .deltaskin format)

• DeltaCore Skins Spec — Official technical specification for the .deltaskin format (JSON schema, coordinate systems, image requirements)

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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 (DS not yet supported; 3DS not supported on tvOS)

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 - Ensure you're on the latest version from the App Store

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 the latest version - Contains 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?

Skins are stored on your device in Provenance's app container.

iCloud sync: On Apple TV (tvOS), iCloud/CloudKit sync is included for free. On iPhone, iPad, and Mac, Provenance Plus is required for iCloud sync of skins, your game library, save states, BIOS files, and custom artwork. Learn more about Provenance Plus →

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

Do skins work on Apple TV?

Yes, for most systems! Skins render on Apple TV when using touch-based systems (though most users prefer physical controllers). Note: Nintendo 3DS skins are not supported on tvOS.

Can I use the same skin on multiple systems?

No — each skin is designed for a specific system's button layout (SNES skins won't work for GBA).

Are animated skins supported?

Yes! Animated backgrounds are supported via the backgroundAnimation field in info.json. Skin creators can use frame sequences (PNG), APNG, or GIF files. See Animated Backgrounds above.

Do skins affect game performance?

Minimal impact thanks to optimized rendering in current versions.

Can I disable skins entirely?

Yes — select the default "Standard" skin for any system to use Provenance's built-in controls.

Where can I request a specific skin design?

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? Submit it to the Skin Catalog so it appears in the built-in Skin Browser for everyone — or join the Provenance community on Discord and show off your creations!

Update to the latest version from the App Store for the best skins experience.