How to Play on Apple TV with Provenance

Provenance is one of the only iOS emulators with native Apple TV support, letting you play 38+ retro game systems on your television. This guide covers both the native tvOS app and using AirPlay to mirror from your iPhone or iPad.

Option 1: Native tvOS App

The Provenance tvOS app runs directly on Apple TV, giving you the best performance and lowest latency. This is the recommended approach for regular gaming sessions.

Steps

1. Install Provenance on your Apple TV. Open the App Store on your Apple TV, search for “Provenance,” and download it.

2. Add games to Provenance. The easiest way is to use the Provenance app on your iPhone or iPad to add games, then use a shared library or WebDAV to sync them. You can also add ROMs via iTunes File Sharing from a Mac or PC.

3. Pair a controller. The Apple TV Siri Remote provides basic input but is not ideal for gaming. Pair a Bluetooth controller via Apple TV Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth. See our controller setup guide for details.

4. Launch Provenance on Apple TV. Open the app, navigate to your game library, and select a game to play.

5. Adjust display settings if needed. If the screen does not fill your TV, check your Apple TV display settings under Settings > Video and Audio and ensure the resolution matches your TV.

Option 2: AirPlay from iPhone or iPad

If you prefer to run the game on your iPhone or iPad and stream the display to your TV, you can use AirPlay.

Steps

1. Connect your Apple TV and iPhone/iPad to the same Wi-Fi network.

2. Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad. Swipe down from the top-right corner (on Face ID devices) or up from the bottom (on older devices).

3. Tap Screen Mirroring and select your Apple TV from the list.

4. Open Provenance on your iPhone or iPad and launch a game. The display will mirror to your TV in real time.

5. Pair a controller to your iPhone or iPad for a better gaming experience. See our controller setup guide.

Tips

• For the best gaming experience on Apple TV, use the native tvOS app rather than AirPlay, which can introduce input lag over Wi-Fi.
• A wired Ethernet connection for your Apple TV will reduce any network-related issues.
• The SteelSeries Nimbus+ and Xbox Series X/S controllers are well-tested with the Provenance tvOS app.
• Volume can be adjusted using the Apple TV remote even while a game is running.

Download Provenance

Provenance is available for free on the App Store for both iOS and tvOS. Get Provenance on the App Store. For extra features, visit Provenance Plus.