Why Delta isn’t on the App Store in the EU
Since April 2024, Apple allows emulators on the App Store worldwide, and Delta is there, except in the European Union. Its developer chose not to distribute it on the EU App Store, to avoid the Core Technology Fee Apple applies in the EU, and uses its own marketplace, AltStore PAL, instead. Delta is still an excellent emulator: this is about distribution, not quality.
Option 1: install Delta via AltStore PAL
AltStore PAL is an alternative marketplace available in the EU since iOS 17.4. To install Delta this way, you first install AltStore PAL, then Delta from it. That’s the right route if you specifically want Delta. The trade-off: one extra step, and a third-party store to manage.
Option 2: a native emulator on the App Store
If you just want to play without installing a third-party store, several emulators are available natively on the EU App Store. You download them directly, like any other app. Among them, Retro Pal plays your Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS games, with no ads and no ad-tracking, an optional purchase, and no required subscription.
How to choose
- You specifically want Delta and its features: use AltStore PAL.
- You want to play quickly, no sideloading, on GBA, Game Boy or DS: a native App Store emulator.
- You care about your saves: check for save import (
.sav/.srm) and iCloud sync.