9 Best Gameboy Advance Emulators 2025 (Android, iOS, PC)

The Game Boy Advance (GBA) remains one of the most beloved handheld gaming consoles, offering an extensive library of classic games. With a Gameboy Advance emulator, you can relive these iconic titles on Android, iPhone, iPad, Windows, and Mac without needing the original hardware.

In this guide, the iMyFone AnyTo team has carefully curated a list of the best GBA emulators for different devices. We’ll cover their features, pricing, installation steps, pros & cons, and more. Let's begin.

A Game Boy Advance emulator is software that mimics the GBA hardware on another device, allowing you to play GBA games without needing the original console. It works by running ROM files (digital copies of GBA games) and often provides enhanced features like save states, fast-forwarding, cheat code support, and controller compatibility.

Key Features of a GBA Emulator:

Yes, GBA emulators themselves are legal because they do not contain any copyrighted data. However, downloading ROMs of commercial games without owning the original cartridge is illegal in most regions. To legally use a GBA emulator, you should dump ROMs from your own game cartridges or use homebrew (fan-made) GBA games.

GBA Emulator Android	My Boy!	John GBAC	GBA.emu
Price	Free / $4.99 (Premium)	Free / $4.99 (Premium)	$4.99 (No free version)
Performance
User-Friendly
Cheat Support
External Controller Support
Link Cable Emulation
Customization Options
Best For	High-speed gaming & Pokémon trading	Casual gamers	Advanced users who prefer deep settings

Android GBA Emu 1 My Boy!

Price: Free version available, Full version ($4.99)

My Boy! is widely regarded as one of the fastest and most feature-rich GBA emulators for Android. It provides smooth and lag-free emulation, making it perfect for competitive gaming. With link cable emulation, players can trade and battle in classic GBA games seamlessly.

Its BIOS-free operation removes the hassle of additional file setup. The full version unlocks fast-forwarding, save states, and advanced controls, making it a top-tier option for Android users.

Key Features:

• High-speed emulation with minimal lag
• Launch AirServer: Link cable support for multiplayer
• BIOS-free operation (no need to load BIOS files)
• Cheat code support for GameShark/Action Replay

How to Install & Use My Boy! on Android:

Step 1: Download the My Boy! emulator on your Android phone, and prepare the clean ROM and patch you need.

Step 2: Open the ROM archive. Extract and move the patch of the game you want to the folder.

Step 3: Rename the ROM of the game to the name of the patch. Make sure they have the same name, but not same extension.

Step 4: Open the game and now you can play it on the GBA emulator on your Android.

Drawbacks: The free version lacks some premium features like fast forward and save states.

Android GBA Emu 2 John GBAC

Price: Free (Ad-supported), Premium ($4.99)

John GBAC is known for its user-friendly interface and solid performance across both GBA and GBC games. It supports save states, cheat codes, and external controllers, making it an all-in-one solution for retro gamers.

Unlike My Boy!, it has a built-in file organizer, which automatically detects ROMs for easy access. While the free version contains ads, the premium version removes them and adds additional customization options.

Key Features:

• Supports both Game Boy Advance (GBA) and Game Boy Color (GBC) games
• Save states and cheat codes supported
• External controller compatibility

How to Install & Use John GBAC:

Step 1: Download John GBAC from the Play Store.

Step 2: Open the app and allow storage permissions.

Step 3: Load your ROM files into the emulator.

Step 4: Start playing with on-screen or external controllers.

Drawbacks: The free version has ads, and some advanced features require a premium upgrade.

Android GBA Emu 3 GBA.emu

Price: $4.99 (No free version)

GBA.emu is an open-source emulator known for its deep customization options and wide compatibility. It supports compressed ROMs (ZIP, RAR, 7z), making storage management more efficient.

Players can tweak audio latency, frame skipping, and touchscreen layouts for a tailored gaming experience. Cross-platform save compatibility with PC versions allows for seamless game transfers between devices. However, its interface may be a bit complex for beginners.

Key Features:

• Highly customizable UI and control layout
• Supports ZIP, RAR, and 7z compressed ROMs
• External controller and gamepad support
• Cross-platform save file compatibility with PC emulators

How to Install & Use GBA.emu:

Step 1: Purchase GBA.emu from the Play Store.

Step 2: Launch the emulator and import your GBA ROMs.

Step 3: Adjust settings like frame skipping and screen layout.

Step 4: Enjoy seamless gameplay with highly accurate emulation.

Drawbacks: It lacks a free version, and its interface is complex for beginners.

GBA Emulator iOS	Delta	GBA4iOS	PPSSPP
Price	Free	Free	Free
Supported Consoles	GBA, NES, SNES, N64, DS	GBA, GBC	PSP (GBA via plugins)
Save State Sync	(iCloud)	(Google Drive, Dropbox)	(Cloud Backup)
Controller Support	(PS4/PS5, Xbox, MFi)	(MFi, Bluetooth)	(All major controllers)
Fast-Forward & Cheats
Link Cable Emulation
Best For	All-in-One Emulator for iOS	Jailbreak-Free GBA Emulation	Multi-Platform Players

iOS GBA Emu 1 Delta

Price: Free

Delta is the most advanced GBA emulator for iPhone and iPad, developed by the creator of GBA4iOS. It supports multiple console systems beyond GBA, including NES, SNES, N64, and DS.

With native iOS integration, players can sync save files via iCloud and enjoy controller support for PS4/PS5, Xbox, and MFi gamepads. Delta also offers fast-forwarding, cheat codes, and custom skins, making it the most powerful iOS GBA emulator available.

Key Features:

• No jailbreak required
• Supports GBA, NES, SNES, and DS games
• iCloud sync for save files
• Controller support (PS4/PS5, Xbox, MFi)

How to Install & Use Delta on iPhone:

Step 1: First you need to get Delta from AltStore PAL (EU users) or the App Store (non-EU users).

Step 2: Add Roms to your library by tapping '+' in the top right corner of Delta's main screen.

Step 3: Go to settings and choose the controller's skin, opacity, and so on.

Step 4: Now you can load the game and play the GBA games on your iPhone by Delta.

Drawbacks: Requires AltStore sideloading, which needs a PC.

Related article

Pokemon Emulator iPhone: How to Play Pokemon on iPhone?

iOS GBA Emu 2 GBA4iOS

Price: Free

GBA4iOS was once the most popular Game Boy Advance emulator for iOS. Unlike Delta, it focuses exclusively on GBA and GBC games, offering easy ROM importing via Google Drive and Dropbox.

It features controller support, cheat code compatibility, and in-game audio enhancements. The app is available without jailbreak, but since it’s not on the App Store, installation via AltStore or sideloading is required.

Key Features:

• No jailbreak required
• Supports multiplayer via link cable emulation
• Fast-forwarding & cheat codes enabled

How to Install & Use GBA4iOS:

Step 1: Go to GBA4iOS official website and download the app of the version you need.

Step 2: Trust GBA4iOS app in iPhone settings.

Step 3: Just like Delta emulator, adjust your emulator settings.

Step 4: Import your ROMs into GBA4iOS and play the games on GBA emulator on your iPhone.

Drawbacks: Apple may revoke the app certificate, causing installation issues.

iOS GBA Emu 3 PPSSPP - PSP emulator

Price: Free

Although PPSSPP is primarily a PSP emulator, it also supports Game Boy Advance emulation through plugins. It’s a high-performance app that runs on iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, making it a versatile option for gamers who play across multiple platforms. However, since GBA support is secondary, it lacks certain native GBA features, such as link cable emulation.

Key Features:

• Plays PSP & GBA games with excellent performance
• Supports touchscreen & external controllers
• Customizable graphics and shaders

How to Install & Use PPSSPP on iPhone:

Step 1: Download PPSSPP from the App Store.

Step 2: Load GBA ROMs to the PPSSPP folder – this will either be in your iCloud Drive, or on your iPhone.

Step 3: Open PPSSPP app on your iPhone and enjoy your game!

Drawbacks: Primarily a PSP emulator, but can run GBA games using specific settings.

GBA Emulator PC	mGBA	Visual Boy Advance	No$GBA
Price	Free	Free	Free
Performance	Fast, lightweight, optimized	Moderate	Very fast, low resource usage
Supported Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, Switch, 3DS, Wii	Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows
Debugging Tools	Basic	Advanced (for developers)	Advanced (popular for ROM hacking)
BIOS Requirement
Cheat Support	Yes (GameShark, CodeBreaker)	Yes (GameShark, CodeBreaker)	Yes, but limited
Link Cable Emulation	Partial (experimental)	Yes (for local multiplayer)	Best for local link (multiplayer & trading)
User-friendly

PC GBA Emu 1 mGBA

Price: Free

mGBA is a lightweight yet powerful GBA emulator for Windows and Mac. It offers near-perfect accuracy with fast performance, even on low-end PCs. Features include cheat code support, high-resolution scaling, and customizable controls. Unlike other emulators, mGBA is regularly updated, ensuring ongoing compatibility with modern operating systems.

Key Features:

• High-speed emulation with minimal lag
• Supports cheats, save states, and fast-forward
• Cross-platform compatibility

How to Install & Use mGBA on PC:

Step 1: Download the appropriate file from the mGBA official website based on your PC's operating system.

Step 2: Extract the file you just downloaded.

Step 3: Configure the settings according to your preferences, such as interface, controls, etc.

Step 4: Load your game ROM file, press Alt + Enter to enter fullscreen, and start playing.

PC GBA Emu 2 Visual Boy Advance

Price: Free

Visual Boy Advance (VBA) is one of the oldest and most feature-rich GBA emulators for PC. It supports custom shaders, save state management, and recording gameplay footage. VBA also allows players to overclock GBA games, improving frame rates in certain titles.

Key Features:

• Supports Game Boy, GBC, and GBA games
• Customizable key mapping & controller support
• Save states & debugging features

How to Install & Use VBA on PC:

Step 1: Download the Windows or Mac version of Visual Boy Advance from the official website.

Step 2: Extract the downloaded installation package and install it on your PC.

Step 3: Open Visual Boy Advance and complete the player and key mapping settings.

Step 4: Import your game ROM file and start playing on your PC.

PC GBA Emu 3 No$GBA

Price: Free

No$GBA is a unique emulator that supports both Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS games. It offers debugging tools, making it a favorite among ROM developers. Although it’s not as user-friendly as mGBA or VBA, its low system requirements and DS support make it an appealing option for tech-savvy users.

Key Features:

• Compatible with Nintendo DS & GBA games
• Low system requirements, ideal for older PCs

How to Install & Use No$GBA on PC:

Step 1: Download the No$GBA emulator from the official website.

Step 2: Install the software and launch it. You can customize various game settings.

Step 3: Load your game ROM and start playing GBA games on your PC.

Here are some safe ways to play GBA games on an emulator:

1．Can I use a GBA emulator on iPhone without jailbreak?

Yes! There are several GBA emulators for iOS that work without jailbreak, such as Delta and GBA4iOS. However, since Apple does not allow emulators on the App Store, you will need to sideload them using AltStore, TestFlight, or third-party app stores. Some methods require re-signing the app every 7 days, unless you have a developer account.

2．What’s the best free GBA emulator for Android?

The best free GBA emulator for Android include My Boy!, John GBAC, GBA.emu and so on. If you're looking for a completely free option with fast performance and multiplayer support, My Boy! Free is a great choice.

3．Do GBA emulators support multiplayer?

Yes, some GBA emulators support multiplayer features such as link cable emulation for trading Pokémon or battling friends. On PC – mGBA and VBA-M allow multiplayer via local network or online connectivity. On iOS – Most emulators do not support multiplayer, but Delta may add it in future updates. On Android – My Boy! supports wireless multiplayer.

4．How to save games on a GBA emulator?

Most GBA emulators support two types of save methods:

In-Game Saves (SRAM) – Just like on real GBA cartridges, you can save in Pokémon Centers, save points, etc.

Save States – Many emulators let you create instant save files anywhere in the game, so you can reload your progress instantly.

To save in an emulator:

PC/Android: Use the menu option for "Save State" and pick a slot.

iOS (Delta, GBA4iOS): Tap the save icon in the emulator menu. Some emulators also allow auto-save, preventing data loss.

5．Can a Gameboy Advance emulator play GBC games?

Yes, most GBA emulators support Game Boy Color (GBC) and Game Boy (GB) games as well.

• On PC: mGBA, VBA-M, and No$GBA can run both GBA and GBC ROMs.
• On Android: My Boy! and John GBAC support GBC games natively.
• On iOS: Delta and GBA4iOS also allow playing GBC games without extra setup.

If you specifically need a Game Boy and Game Boy Color emulator, you might prefer BGB or Gambatte for better compatibility.

6．Can an emulator connect to a real Gameboy Advance?

In most cases, no, because emulators do not have hardware-level link cable support. However, there are a few exceptions:

• VBA-M and mGBA allow trading Pokémon between emulators using link cable emulation.
• Some modified cartridges and adapters (such as Flash Carts) let you transfer save files between a GBA emulator and a real Game Boy Advance.
• Dolphin Emulator (for GameCube) allows connecting a physical GBA to a PC for use with games like Pokémon Colosseum.

For most users, trading or transferring data between an emulator and a real GBA is not possible, but there are workarounds depending on the emulator and hardware setup.

With the right Gameboy Advance emulator, you can relive classic games on Android, iOS, and PC. Choose an emulator based on your device, preferences, and features needed. Want to enhance your gaming experience in new-generation GPS games like Pokemon GO? Try the location changer iMyFone AnyTo to change your in-game GPS location effortlessly!

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Article by

Spencer Hill

Spencer Hill has over 5 years of experience specializing in mobile screen mirroring and virtual location modification. As a senior editor at iMyFone, he creates user-friendly tutorials that help mobile users maximize their device functionality.