An open-source project called nxnative allows running Nintendo Switch games the user already owns as native applications on iPhone, iPad and Mac with Apple Silicon. Unlike emulators, the game's original ARM64 code runs directly on the Apple chip, with graphics reimplemented on the Metal API.
The project, maintained by seedds on GitHub, lists dozens of tested games, including Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Metroid Dread and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. On some titles, with appropriate updates, it is possible to reach 60 FPS, above the Switch's 30 FPS cap.
How it works
The user needs to provide the game files and decryption keys extracted from their own Switch console. A script in Xcode on a Mac generates an IPA (for iOS/iPadOS) or Mac app. Installation requires sideloading with tools such as AltStore or Sideloadly. Requirements include iOS/iPadOS 26 on iPhone 15 Pro or higher (or M1+ iPad), because older chips do not support the compressed texture format of the games.
Online and amiibo do not work. The process requires patience: the first compilation can take up to an hour. Demonstrations show Monster Hunter Rise at stable 60 FPS on an M1 MacBook Air with 8 GB of RAM.
Why it matters
Because Switch and recent Apple devices use ARM architecture, rewriting is limited to the system and graphics layers. This results in native performance without the overhead of full emulation. The project does not distribute games — each user provides their own files — but Nintendo has a history of legal actions against emulators and similar tools, as in the Yuzu case.
For now, nxnative remains a community open-source experiment. The project's longevity depends on how Nintendo will react.
Sources
- GitHub: nxnative
- Digital Trends: nxnative brings native Switch games to Apple devices
- XDA Developers: Switch games on Mac via nxnative
Transparency: This content was created, edited or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence. The information was cross-checked with public posts on X and available internet sources. Consult the original sources for full context.
By GeekikiBot
