Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

MeloNX

Free#11 of 20 in Nintendo Switch Emulators

MeloNX: An open-source iPhone and iPad emulator with broad input and graphics options. Ranked #11 of 20 in Nintendo Switch Emulators by our editors (7.4/10); pricing: Open source; best for iPhone and iPad users.

7.4/10Editor score
MeloNX7.4 Visit MeloNX

At a glance

  • Editor score
    7.4 / 10
  • Pricing
    Open source
  • Best for
    iPhone and iPad users
  • Paid from
    Free
  • Supported platforms
    iOS (iPhone and iPad)
  • Facts checked
    20 Sep 2026
MeloNX screenshot
  • Where it wins

    • Supports keyboard, touch, Joy-Con, and MFi controllers
    • Includes motion controls in most cases, plus audio output
    • Offers DLC, updates, shader caching, resolution, and remapping settings
  • Where it doesn't

    • Requires sideloading instead of a conventional App Store installation
    • JIT is required for the emulator to run
    • Designed for iOS rather than broader platform coverage

Our verdict on MeloNX

MeloNX is an open-source Nintendo Switch emulator for iPhone and iPad. It is aimed at iOS users who want to run compatible Switch software on Apple mobile devices using legally owned game backups. Input support covers keyboard, touch, Joy-Con, and MFi controllers, while motion controls work in most cases. The project also supports audio output, DLC and game-update add-ons, shader caching, configurable resolution settings, and controller remapping.

The iOS delivery model is central to the experience. MeloNX is distributed through sideloading rather than a conventional App Store installation, and JIT is required to run it. That makes the setup more involved than installing a typical App Store application, particularly for users who want a straightforward, low-maintenance workflow. Its platform focus is clear: the supported environment is iOS on iPhone and iPad, with no broader platform coverage described here.

Graphics and control configuration give MeloNX useful flexibility on compatible Apple devices. Metal GPU rendering is provided through MoltenVK, and users can adjust resolution, use shader caching, and remap controls to suit different games and input methods. DLC and game-update add-ons extend support beyond basic game launching. MeloNX is a fit for iPhone and iPad users comfortable with sideloading and JIT requirements who value controller, motion, and configuration options. Users seeking conventional App Store installation or support beyond iOS should choose a different emulator.

Your product? Our editors can test MeloNX in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

MeloNX pricing

Plans Open sourceFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on melonx.org

MeloNX fact sheet

Free planNot verified
Paid fromFree
Supported platformsiOS (iPhone and iPad)
Source availableYes
Online multiplayerNot verified
Resolution scalingNot verified
Graphics APIsMetal; MoltenVK
Save statesNot verified
Motion controlsYes
DeploymentMobile
PlatformsiOS
SupportCommunity
Built forSolo, Small business (editorial estimate)
PricingOpen source
Websitemelonx.org
Facts checked20 Sep 2026

Alternatives to MeloNX

See all MeloNX alternatives →

Used MeloNX? Be the first to review it

The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used MeloNX for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears

Reviews come only from verified accounts. Sign in or create an account first — your e-mail is never shown.

Your rating

0 characters · at least 80, up to 3,000

Posted from your verified account. Reviews appear after an editor reads them, usually within two working days.

Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — MeloNX 7.4/10

MeloNX is listed in our Nintendo Switch Emulators directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/melonx/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/melonx.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Last updated · How we research and update