eNES How to play SNES games on iPhone and iPad with eNES
To play SNES games on iPhone, open eNES, import an .sfc or .smc file you own from the Files app, and tap the game. SNES support in eNES is marked beta: most of it works, and some games may show minor glitches.
★ 4.4 (183) Can you play SNES games on an iPhone?
Yes. eNES runs a separate SNES emulation path next to its NES core, with full audio, save states, cheats and rewind. You need no jailbreak and no computer, only a game file you are entitled to use.
As with the NES side, eNES contains no games and never points you to any; use only an .sfc or .smc file you have the right to use under the law where you live, such as homebrew distributed by its author.
Steps: from file to first level
- Save your .sfc or .smc file where the Files app can reach it.
- In eNES, tap Import ROM (or +) and choose the file. It joins the same library as your NES games.
- Tap the game. Its page shows SNES Emulation (Beta) and details such as the Region and ROM Size.
- Tap Play. The on-screen pad adds X, Y and the Left Shoulder and Right Shoulder buttons.
- Open Save States from the save icon at the top and tap New Save to keep your place.
- For a sofa session, pair a Bluetooth controller in iOS Settings; eNES maps it without any setup.
What works on the SNES side
| Feature | Free | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Play imported .sfc / .smc games with sound | Yes | Yes |
| Manual save states per game | 1 | Unlimited |
| Automatic saves per game | 3 | 3 |
| Active cheat codes at once | 1 | Unlimited |
| Rewind (about 10 seconds) | After a short ad, per session | Yes |
| Color filters | Default | All styles |
| Bluetooth controllers | Up to 2 | Up to 2 |
SNES cheats live under Cheats (SNES). That screen takes 8-digit hex codes such as 7E0200FF and the dash-separated letter codes printed in old cheat books; the next guide on cheat codes shows how a hex code is read.
About the beta label
The app says it plainly: SNES support is new, still being refined, and some games may have minor glitches. In practice that means you may meet a graphics or sound oddity in some titles. If a game misbehaves, make a save state before the tricky part so you never lose progress, and keep the app updated.
Mistakes to avoid
- Importing a zipped file. Unzip it in the Files app so eNES sees the .sfc or .smc file.
- Treating a save state as your only save. Keep the game's own in-game save too, especially while SNES support is beta.
- Looking for SNES on the Apple Watch. The Watch app plays NES games only.
Questions and answers
Does eNES need a jailbreak to play SNES games?
Is there sound in SNES games?
What is the difference between .sfc and .smc?
More eNES guides
- How to play NES games on iPhone and iPad with eNES
- How to add ROMs to iPhone and iPad with eNES
- How NES and SNES save states work in eNES
- How to enter NES and SNES cheat codes in eNES
- How to connect a controller to iPhone and play eNES with it
- Play NES games on Apple Watch: installation and transfer
- All questions about eNES
- Back to eNES