The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on iPhone and Mac (nxnative)
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is on the nxnative tested list: the game you own can run as a native iPhone, iPad or Mac app. Here is what the official notes say about the tested version, performance, app size and known issues.
How well does it run?
Plays on the iPhone at 60 fps, double the Switch’s 30, through the host’s frame step.
What to know
- The 60 fps fixes apply to update 1.4.3, the tested version.
- It is one of the largest apps (about 17 GB); sign it with the Increased Memory Limit capability if your sideloading tool can.
- To save battery, it can be kept at its original 30 fps (DM_FPS_TARGET=30).
- MacNativeGames is a separate project focused on the Zelda games.
Playing Zelda Tears of the Kingdom on iPhone
You need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer on iOS 26, or an M1 iPad, plus a Mac to build the app from your own game files (see requirements and how to use nxnative). The app starts in the 3D touch layout; a connected controller hides the touch controls.
For longer sessions a controller helps: a phone-mounted USB-C controller such as the GameSir G8 Plus MFi turns the iPhone into a handheld, and the game’s motion controls then follow the iPhone’s own gyro. See the controller guide.
Zelda Tears of the Kingdom questions
Does Zelda Tears of the Kingdom work with nxnative?
Yes. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is on nxnative’s tested list (update 1.4.3). Plays on the iPhone at 60 fps, double the Switch’s 30, through the host’s frame step.
Which iPhone do I need for Zelda Tears of the Kingdom?
An iPhone 15 Pro or newer (A17 Pro or later) or an M1 iPad on iOS/iPadOS 26, or an Apple silicon Mac. Older iPhones cannot read the BC-compressed textures.
Does nxnative include Zelda Tears of the Kingdom?
No. You need your own copy of the game and your own keys; this site does not provide or explain how to obtain them.
Can Tears of the Kingdom run at 30 fps instead?
Yes. A line DM_FPS_TARGET=30 in the app’s Documents/env.txt keeps it at its original 30 fps, which saves battery.
All tested games: nxnative games list. Official per-game notes: GitHub.