Nintendo Switch Games Run Natively on iPhone With NXnative

A new open-source project called NXnative is bringing Nintendo Switch games to iPhone and iPad through native code execution, allowing supported titles to run without traditional console emulation.

Developed by seedds, the project converts Nintendo Switch game files into installable iOS applications using a process that rewrites the original game's executable code for Apple's hardware.

According to the official NXnative GitHub repository, the technology combines an NSO code rewriter, a compatibility layer for Nintendo's Horizon operating system, and a graphics translation system that converts Switch rendering operations into Apple's Metal API.

The developer lists several playable games, including Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Metroid Dread, and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Some titles also receive performance enhancements. The project claims that Breath of the Wild can run at 60 FPS using a compatible game update, compared with its original 30 FPS target on Nintendo Switch.

NXnative currently requires iOS or iPadOS 26 or later, alongside an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, or an iPad powered by an M1 chip or later.

Building an installable IPA requires a Mac with Xcode, the user's own Nintendo Switch game files, and the necessary decryption keys. The resulting application must then be sideloaded onto the Apple device.

The project also supports touchscreen controls, physical controllers, local saves, and adjustable rendering settings.

However, compatibility remains limited to tested titles, and performance can vary between devices and games.

NXnative is an unofficial community project with no affiliation with Nintendo. It does not distribute commercial game files or provide official Nintendo Switch support for Apple devices.