IOS on Nintendo Switch: Hack Achieved
- While millions are enjoying the new Nintendo Switch 2, one user decided too explore the role of older hardware in new ways.
- PatRyk dedicated two days to the project, utilizing QEMU, an open-source machine emulator.
- I’ve lost my mind (and 2 days of my life to install this)Behold: the world’s slowest “iPhone” 🎉🎉
iOS on Nintendo switch: User Achieves the Seemingly Unachievable
While millions are enjoying the new Nintendo Switch 2, one user decided too explore the role of older hardware in new ways. PatRyk, an X user, successfully managed to get iOS running on the original Nintendo Switch, albeit with significant limitations.
PatRyk dedicated two days to the project, utilizing QEMU, an open-source machine emulator. QEMU simulates different hardware architectures, allowing a full build of iOS to run within the Switch’s Nvidia Tegra X1 processor.
The result is a fully emulated iOS environment. Though, PatRyk admits the system is “barely” functional.
I’ve lost my mind (and 2 days of my life to install this)
Behold: the world’s slowest “iPhone” 🎉🎉Takes over 20 minutes to boot, kernel panics every 2nd thing you do, can’t open any apps (they all time out and crash) 🚀🚀 pic.twitter.com/r3B3JPDUDV
– Patryk (@patrosi73) June 17, 2025
The fact that iOS boots at all on non-Apple hardware is noteworthy. iOS is notoriously challenging to run outside of Apple’s own devices or its Xcode simulator.
For PatRyk, the project was more about the challenge and fun than practicality.As PatRyk joked, it may be the world’s slowest iPhone.
While not usable, the project serves as a proof of concept.It builds upon the QEMU Apple Silicon emulation effort, aiming to virtualize ARM-based Apple operating systems.
What’s next
The QEMU Apple Silicon emulation project continues to develop, possibly opening doors for further exploration of running iOS on unconventional hardware.