There's one good PS2 emulator on iOS, but I'd recommend another option

Android Authority

19-05-2025

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
The PlayStation 2 is arguably one of the greatest consoles of all time, with a library of classic games that's hard to match. Sony finally discontinued the system in 2013, which means that emulators can be one of the only reliable ways to play some PS2 games. There are plenty of great PS2 emulators on Android, but iPhones don't have it so good. Here are your best options for PS2 emulators on iOS.
The best PS2 emulators for iOS
Before we get started in earnest, it's important to recognize that until very recently, most iOS emulators required a hacked (or jailbroken) device. Apple previously blocked all emulators on the grounds that they can play many games, and every single game has to be approved individually. It's the same reason Xbox Cloud Gaming didn't have an iOS app, as well as countless other services.
Apple has slowly eased back on these restrictions, with the first few emulators already hitting the App Store. Currently, there are no PS2 emulators on the iOS store, but that doesn't mean you don't have options.
That said, they're not the easiest options. You will need to sideload the first emulator below in order to use it on your device, although you may not need to fully jailbreak your iPhone. If Apple continues to remove restrictions on sideloading after pressure from the European Union, it may be easier to install them in the near future.
But for now, you'll have to follow the instructions linked below.
Play!
The only true PS2 emulator on iOS, Play! supports a range of file formats, such as CHD, CUE, ELF, MDS, ISO, and ISZ. You'll have to sideload, but once you do, the app can scan folders for new game files and categorize them into Recent, Homebrew, and Unsorted lists. Visit the Settings menu before getting started to ensure the best performance.
Also, be sure to check the app's compatibility list before loading games. As of this writing about 1200 titles are marked 'playable,' such as Disgaea and Marvel vs. Capcom 2. If something's not listed as playable, it's going to break mid-game if it loads at all.
It's worth noting that this app will require even more setup before you can enjoy PS2 emulation on your iPhone, due to restrictions on JIT from Apple. This is an essential component to making the emulator work, and the easiest way to turn it on is to run AltServer on another device on the same network. There are a few other methods outlined here. Without this, games will crash when launched.
Importantly, the Play! PS2 emulator also works on web browsers. Compatibility is much more limited though, so don't think of it as a full replacement for a native app.
Streaming PS2 emulators
Nick Fernandez / Android Authority
Unfortunately, the only other option for PS2 emulation on iOS is streaming it from another device. This is pretty easy via a PC or Mac with a variety of free apps.
Of course, you'll still need to install a PS2 emulator, but your options on other platforms are much less limited. PCSX2 is the gold standard on Windows, Linux, and MacOS, with great performance even on weaker machines.
Once installed on your desktop, you can install a local streaming app like Steam Link or Moonlight from the App Store to play them on your iPhone. For Steam Link specifically you'll need to add the emulator to your library as a non-Steam game, but that's a relatively simple process.
For now, I think this method is the best choice for PS2 emulators on iOS. Without native JIT support, even the latest iPhones won't be capable of emulating PS2 games. For streaming, all you need is a mediocre PC or Mac.