Introduction
If you’re an iOS user dreaming of playing classic PS2 titles on your iPhone or iPad, your wait is over. Thanks to LiveContainer and the Play Emulator, you can now play PS2 on iPhone—smoothly, natively, and without jailbreaking.
This guide walks you through every step, from downloading the emulator to placing the right ISO game file in the correct directory. By the end, you’ll be running PS2 games on your iOS device like a pro!
What You Need to Play PS2 on iOS
Before getting started, make sure you have the following:
- SideStore installed on your device
- LiveContainer installed via SideStore
- Play Emulator IPA file (Play! Emulator for iOS)
- PS2 ISO Game file (.iso)
- Basic file management skills
💡 Don’t have SideStore or LiveContainer? Click here to learn how to install SideStore and how to set up LiveContainer before proceeding.
Download and Install Play Emulator IPA
To play PS2 games, you need the Play Emulator for iOS.
Steps to Download:
- Tap the button below to download the latest version of the Play Emulator IPA.
- Once the file is downloaded, it will be available in your Files app > Downloads folder.
Sideload Play Emulator Using LiveContainer
With the IPA file downloaded, now it’s time to install it via LiveContainer.
Here’s how:
- Open LiveContainer.
- Tap the ➕ (plus icon) and choose Install IPA File.
- Navigate to your downloaded Play IPA file and select it.
- After installation, open the app once to allow it to create backend folders.
This initial run is crucial for generating the required file structure for loading PS2 game files later.
Extract and Prepare PS2 ISO Game Files
Your PS2 games should be in ISO format, but they often come .zip or .7z format, which iOS doesn’t support natively.
Convert 7z to ZIP and Extract:
- In the Files app, locate your downloaded game (e.g., Naruto.7z).
- Long press the file and select Rename.
- Change
.7zto.zip. - Confirm when prompted to use ZIP format.
- Tap the new ZIP file to extract the ISO.
✅ Pro Tip: Only use verified PS2 ISO files. Check this compatibility list for games that work well with Play Emulator.
Move Game Files to Correct Folder
Incorrect folder placement = game not detected. Here’s how to do it right:
Steps:
- In LiveContainer, long press the Play app and select Settings.
- Note the unique alphanumeric app ID.
- Now go to Files > On My iPhone > LiveContainer > data > application.
- Locate the folder matching your app’s unique ID.
- Go inside → tap Documents → paste your ISO file here.
Your game is now properly linked to the Play emulator and ready to launch.
Enable JIT to Prevent Crashes
When you open the game, you might notice it crashes immediately. That’s because JIT (Just-In-Time) compilation is not yet enabled.
What is JIT?
JIT allows apps like Play Emulator to run complex processes (like emulating a PS2) efficiently on iOS without lag or crashing.
How to Enable JIT in LiveContainer:
- Watch our full tutorial on how to enable JIT for iOS apps inside LiveContainer.
- Once JIT is enabled, launch the Play app again.
- Your game should now run flawlessly with smooth performance.
Final Thoughts
Using LiveContainer and Play Emulator is currently the best way to play PS2 on iPhone or iPad. The process is surprisingly simple and requires no jailbreak or shady apps.
With JIT enabled and your ISO files placed correctly, you can enjoy titles like Naruto, Shadow of the Colossus, or God of War 2—all from your pocket.
If you run into any issues, make sure:
- Your ISO file is not corrupted.
- The folder matches your app’s container ID.
- JIT is properly enabled.
Happy gaming 🎮!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is jailbreaking required to run PS2 games on iOS?
No, with LiveContainer and SideStore, you don’t need to jailbreak your device to run the Play Emulator.
Q2. Can I run any PS2 game using Play Emulator?
Not all games are compatible. Check this list of supported PS2 games to confirm.
Q3. Is JIT absolutely necessary?
Yes. Without Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation, most games will crash or fail to run.
Q4. What are the best PS2 games to try first?
We recommend starting with these fan favorites:
- Naruto: Ultimate Ninja
- Tekken 5
- Final Fantasy X
- God of War II
