Parlor

Parlor vs Provenance

Provenance covers many systems. Its documentation separates working systems from experimental and non-store systems.

Parlor compared with Provenance, feature by feature
FeatureParlorProvenance
Native Apple TV appNot releasedSee note 1Wiki onlySee note 2
Native Mac appNot releasedSee note 3iPad appSee note 4
Saves and states in your own iCloudSee note 5With PlusSee note 6
One purchase, no subscription, no accountSee note 7Optional PlusSee note 8
Controller pairing guideSee note 9See note 10
AirPlay full screen, phone as the padSee note 11MirroringSee note 12
No BIOS files to findGB, GBC, GBA, DSSee note 13System-specificSee note 14
Homebrew games includedSee note 15Not listedSee note 16
Link play on one deviceNot verifiedSee note 17DocumentedSee note 18
Open sourceSee note 19Custom licenceSee note 20
Systems beyond these handheldsSee note 21Many systemsSee note 22
3DSiPhone and iPadSee note 23See note 24
  1. The native Apple TV version is not yet released. Use AirPlay or HDMI from iPhone or iPad now. Source.
  2. The wiki documents Apple TV, but the current listing omits tvOS. Check availability before purchase. Source.
  3. The iPad app runs on Apple silicon Macs. Apple labels it not verified for macOS. The native version is not released. Source.
  4. Apple labels it Designed for iPad and not verified for macOS. Source.
  5. Battery saves, save states and library metadata use private iCloud. Game files do not sync. Source.
  6. Plus includes iCloud sync. The wiki makes Apple TV sync free. Source.
  7. One purchase covers iPhone and iPad, Family Sharing included. No in-app purchases, no ads, no Parlor account. The Apple TV version is not yet released. Source.
  8. Core emulation is free. Plus has monthly, annual and lifetime plans. Source.
  9. The guide covers pairing, default mappings and remapping. Source.
  10. The controller documentation covers supported devices and setup. Source.
  11. AirPlay or HDMI can provide the display while the iPhone provides controls. Source.
  12. The guide documents system Screen Mirroring. Source.
  13. These systems need no BIOS files. Some 3DS files need keys from your own console. Source.
  14. The BIOS guide lists requirements by system. Source.
  15. Free homebrew games are included. The catalog identifies included games and their licences. Source.
  16. The documentation asks users to supply game files. Source.
  17. The released listing does not describe same-device link play. Check current app support before relying on it. Source.
  18. The wiki lists GBA link-cable games through core support. Source.
  19. GPL-3.0. Every core and component is named on the licences page with its own terms. Source.
  20. The repository publishes a custom licence. Review its terms. Source.
  21. Parlor covers GB, GBC, GBA, DS and 3DS on iPhone and iPad. Source.
  22. The system list distinguishes working, experimental and non-store systems. Source.
  23. Some game files need your console keys. Import 3DS files outside archives. Source.
  24. The wiki includes 3DS and identifies its feature limits. Source.

Parlor availability

Parlor is available on iPhone and iPad. Its iPad app also runs on Apple silicon Macs, with Apple marking it not verified for macOS. Native Mac and Apple TV versions are not yet released. 3DS support is limited to iPhone and iPad.

Use AirPlay or HDMI for television play now. See the platform requirements.

Saves and setup

Core emulation is free. Provenance Plus adds iCloud sync. Its wiki makes Apple TV sync free, but its current App Store listing does not show tvOS.

Which app fits your requirements?

Check the current store listing and system documentation before choosing a platform. The Mac store entry is labelled as an iPad app.

Parlor includes free homebrew games. Check controller setup and save sync before purchase.

Sources

Checked 3 October 2026 against the sources below. Prices refer to the US store and can change. “Not listed” means the checked source does not confirm a feature. It does not prove that the feature is absent.