3.3.1 - Alpha

Fixes some issues with 3.3.0 maybe,

I'm skipping this release officially in favor for 3.4.0

3.3.0 — iCloud Sync, New tvOS UI & Video Filters

What's New in 3.3.0

This is a big one. Four months of work since 3.2.1 covering iCloud sync, a completely revamped tvOS interface, video filters, and a ton of core and stability fixes.

☁️ iCloud / CloudKit Sync

• ROMs, save states, BIOS files, and artwork now sync across devices via iCloud
• Real-time download progress indicators when loading cloud save states
• Auto BIOS sync on game load when available in iCloud
• ROM metadata syncs alongside files
• Artwork syncs after library updates
• CloudKit records management tab in Settings
• iCloud upsell UI for new users with empty libraries
• Sync queue pauses during emulation and resumes after

📺 New tvOS UI (Default)

• Completely redesigned tvOS interface now enabled by default
• RetroWave-themed side menu with smooth animations
• Save states browser accessible from the main UI with artwork and core name
• "View All" saves section with per-system filtering
• TopShelf v2: recent games and save states with artwork and timestamps
• Cheats UI in the pause menu
• Game "More Info" panel
• Log viewer tab
• Import status view in side menu
• Search with persistent history
• Dozens of focus, navigation, and theming fixes throughout

🎨 Video Filters & Shaders

• Unified filter pipeline works across native and RetroArch cores
• GB and VHS filters improved
• Filters accessible from the pause menu
• RetroArch GLES 3D cores now supported (Vecx/GLiden, etc.)
• Dolphin shader/filter support
• PPSSPP filter support

🎮 Core & Controller Fixes

• RetroArch: Fixed player index mapping for MFi, PS4, and Xbox controllers; PS4 start/select fixed; 32x controls added; GameCube controller responder added
• Mupen64Plus: Fixed PS4 start button; fixed tvOS scaling and placement; better save error messages
• Dolphin: Fixed Vulkan landscape rendering
• GenPluGX: Added CHD support; added wide-screen GameGear core
• PicoDrive: Fixed crash on unload; fixed 32x controller mapping
• FCEUmm: Fixed start/select button mapping
• Mednafen: Fixed DualShock/DualSense pause/play button mapping
• GameBatte / TGDB Dual: Fixed PSX/Xbox pause/select button mapping

🐛 Bug Fixes & Stability

• Fixed multiple app hangs from main-thread Realm access (moved to background)
• Fixed crash in pause menu when closing core
• Fixed potential crash if audio ring buffer init fails
• Fixed crash in share/import extension
• Fixed aspect ratio issues in Stella and some other cores
• Fixed FPS label appearing in screenshots
• Fixed artwork not refreshing in game library after sync
• Fixed game importer re-queuing already-imported items
• Fixed Realm contentless core crash
• Fixed "Continue" carousel metadata mismatch
• Skin selector refreshes orientation previews on rotation change
• ManicSkin/DeltaSkin files can now be opened directly from Safari
• iPad import status modal clipped layout fixed
• DSP audio engine fixes

⚡ Performance

• Artwork loading significantly faster
• Game library UI rendering optimizations (removed unnecessary Observable wrappers)
• Async tab bar icon loading
• CloudKit sync deduplication and repeat-lookup fixes
• Game importer skips MD5 hashing for large non-BIOS files

Full Changelog: 3.2.1...3.3.0

3.2.1 - iPad skin bug fixes

Full Changelog: 3.2.0...3.2.1

Bug fixes:

• iPad skins fixed
• Joystick in default skin fixed in landscape
• Atari Lynx Retroach controls fixed
• RetroAchievements login fixed
• Skin selection and import UIs fixed
• Skin rotation issues fixed
• Skin previews fixed

3.2.0 - Skins, many bug fixes, speedups

Release 3.2.0

We're excited to announce Provenance 3.2.0, a major update focused on performance, skins, and quality of life improvements. This release brings highly requested features and fixes that make Provenance faster and more enjoyable than ever.

🎨 Skins: Now Free for Everyone!

The biggest news: Full skin support is now available to all users—no Provenance Plus required! We believe everyone should enjoy customizing their gaming experience. However, if you love what we're building, please consider supporting the project through Provenance Plus or Patreon.

What's New with Skins

• Full Manic and Delta Skin Support for all systems (except 3DS and DS—those are coming soon!)
• Dramatically Improved Performance: Faster rendering, loading, and smoother UI
• Fixed Rotation Issues: No more slow redraws when changing orientation
• Memory Optimizations: More efficient skin storage and rendering
• RetroArch Core Support: Skins now work across all emulator cores
• Enhanced Skin Browser: Faster, more responsive skin selection and preview

⚡ Performance Improvements

Library & UI

• Faster Main Library: Significantly improved scrolling and navigation performance
• Optimized Rendering Loop: Better frame pacing and smoother gameplay across all cores

Core Performance

• Dreamcast/Flycast Enhancements:
  • Faster emulation speed
  • Windows CE-based games now supported
  • Full networking support enabled
• emuThreeDS (3DS Core): Performance bump and reduced graphic glitches
• PPSSPP: More options exposed, layout fixes, and full skin support

ROM Management

• Rewritten ROM Importer:
  • Batch processing for multiple imports
  • Significantly improved artwork matching—more comprehensive, faster, and more accurate
  • Much faster and more reliable with fewer errors
  • Fixed bug where existing ROMs were repeatedly re-imported
  • Eliminated erroneous duplicate imports
  • 7zip Archive Support: Fixed large 7zip archive handling
• MAME/CPS ZIP Support: Drop MAME/CPS1,2,3 ZIP files directly into imports or the MAME/CPS ROMs folder—they'll import and load correctly!

🐛 Major Bug Fixes

Core Stability

• GameCube/Wii (Dolphin) Improvements:
  • Fixed flickering after pause/resume
  • Fixed mis-mapped button inputs
  • Corrected inverted settings
  • Faster access to overclock/underclock settings
  • Performance improvements matching dedicated emulator apps
• Atari ST: No longer crashes at boot
• Vectrex: Fixed core booting and blank video output
• Mednafen: Fixed static audio in CHD files with FLAC compression
• Odyssey2: Added numpad button support (can now select game number at boot)
• Atari 8-bit: Fixed and added proper controller support
• CPS1/2/3 (Capcom Arcade): Better compatibility and support
• RetroArch Core Crashes: Fixed many boot-up crashes
• RetroArch Pause Bug: Cores now properly pause when menu is opened, and menus are fully navigable
• VSync Output: Fixed video output issues when VSync was disabled

System Issues

• Siri Search Bug: Opening games from Siri search no longer causes games to reopen when closed
• Spotlight Database Corruption: Fixed critical bug that could corrupt the database during Spotlight searches, requiring slow re-imports
• ROM System Migration: Fixed bug where ROMs moved to different systems wouldn't actually move their files, causing incorrect re-imports
• Sideload Bundle ID: Sideloaded apps with changed bundle IDs no longer think they're App Store builds—all Provenance Plus features now work when sideloading or building with Xcode!

📊 Development Tools

FPS Indicator Improvements

• More Accurate Stats: Works with native Provenance cores (3D accelerated)
• Additional Information: More detailed performance metrics
• Note: Currently limited to native cores; RetroArch-based cores coming later

☁️ iCloud Sync Enhancements

• CloudKit Improvements: More reliable sync with better error detection
• Better Error Messaging: Clear, actionable error messages throughout the app
• Faster Sync: Optimized sync speeds for game saves and ROMs

🎮 Quality of Life

PPSSPP Updates

• More emulation options exposed in settings
• Fixed options not saving correctly
• UI layout improvements
• Full skin support

emuThreeDS (3DS) Updates

• Settings fixes
• Graphic glitch improvements
• Slight performance increase

General UI

• Improved Pause Menu: Cleaner, more intuitive interface
• Better Messaging: Enhanced error messages and notifications throughout the app

🌐 Website Update

We've completely refreshed provenance-emu.com with:

• Updated information and screenshots
• Modern styling and improved navigation
• New donation page with multiple support options

🚀 Coming Soon

We're hard at work on exciting features for future releases:

• tvOS App Store Release: Official App Store distribution for Apple TV
• 3DS & DS Skin Support: Complete the skin coverage
• More Cores: Additional system support
• Enhanced Stability: Continued refinement and optimization
• Seamless Cloud Storage: On-demand downloading for iCloud ROMs

💖 Support the Project

Provenance is a labor of love, built by the community for the community. If you'd like to support continued development:

• Provenance Plus: Optional in-app purchase (App Store builds only)
• Patreon: Monthly support with exclusive perks
• Buy Me a Coffee: One-time contributions
• Open Collective: Transparent funding

Every contribution helps keep this project alive and thriving. Thank you!

Installation

Get Provenance 3.2.0:

• App Store: Download from the App Store
• AltStore: Install via AltStore
• IPA Download: GitHub Releases
• Sideload: Installation Instructions

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Thank you for being part of the Provenance community. Happy gaming! 🎮

Full Changelog: 3.1.1...3.2.0

3.1.1 - Bug fixes

What's Changed

• Fix settings titles by @dnicolson in #2419
• Check if app group container is readable by @dnicolson in #2420
• Fix settings labels on small devices by @dnicolson in #2421
• Replace “Wifi” with “Wi-Fi” by @dnicolson in #2427
• Fix side menu icon alignment by @dnicolson in #2429
• Fix search bar position by @dnicolson in #2430

Full Changelog: 3.1.0...3.1.1

3.1.0 - Flycast, Dolphin, RetroAchievements

What's Changed

• fixed ios 16 md5 hash failing; fixed bios watcher crashing by @pabloarista in #2409
• Release/3.0.6a by @JoeMatt in #2410
• iCloud Sync v1 by @pabloarista in #2414
• Feature/emulation scene by @JoeMatt in #2411

Full Changelog: 3.0.6...3.1.0

3.1.0 GM2

What's Changed

3.1.0 Changes plus;

Fixed Save states not showing in each consoles view

Save states carousel renders faster now

Feature flags toggle UI fixed

Sideloaded apps automatically get "Provenance Plus" features (must use unique bundle id)

Skins and CloudKit now enabled by default

Minor performance improvements to main interface and bootup

Full Changelog: 3.1.0a2...3.1.0-GM2

3.1.0a2: fix game more info not showing

Fixes issues from 3.1.0a1

• Fixed "Game Info" screen not showing
• Fixed JIT'd Flycast was actually JIT-less Flycast.

3.1.0a1 Release Notes

Pre-Release Notes

This pre-release includes a major overhaul of iCloud synchronization, significant improvements to the game import process, and various UI/UX refinements and bug fixes.

✨ New Features & Major Enhancements

• Overhauled iCloud Synchronization (bug/ios-icloud-not-syncing branch focus):
  • Vastly improved reliability and performance of iCloud sync for ROMs, save states, BIOS files, and screenshots.
  • Smarter handling of file downloads, uploads, and conflict resolution.
  • Optimized database interactions during sync to reduce overhead and prevent crashes (e.g., using game cache, batch processing).
  • Correctly handles scenarios like initial app load with existing iCloud files, turning iCloud sync on/off, and background file changes.
  • Improved deletion handling: files deleted from iCloud are now correctly removed locally and from the database, and vice-versa.
  • Refactored sync logic into dedicated Syncer classes for better organization and lifetime management.
  • Enhanced logging and error reporting for iCloud operations.
• Game Importer Refinements:
  • Improved logic for handling multi-disc games (CUE/BIN, M3U) to ensure all associated files are correctly processed before an import is marked complete.
  • Better error handling for late-arriving files, preventing premature completion of the import queue.
  • Refactored import logic to defer processing when necessary and to correctly handle paused or busy importer states.
• UI & UX Improvements:
  • Game Info Display: The "Game Info" option in context menus now correctly presents a detailed, paged view for game information (related to ConsoleGamesView and PagedGameMoreInfoView refactor).
  • Refined alert dialogs and confirmation prompts (e.g., when deleting ROMs).
  • Improved handling of controller inputs, including L3/R3 buttons for older controllers.

🐛 Bug Fixes

• iCloud & Sync: Early support - CloudKit broken, iCloud drive on iOS/iPad OS only.
  • Fixed numerous crashes and synchronization issues related to Realm database access during iCloud operations.
  • Resolved pathing issues where iCloud URLs could be duplicated or incorrectly formed.
  • Addressed bugs related to deleting and then re-adding the same file via iCloud.
  • Fixed issues with file management when turning iCloud sync off (e.g., removal of iCloud files).
  • Corrected handling of battery save directory names.
• Importer:
  • Fixed an index-out-of-bounds error when multiple items were removed from the import queue.
  • Addressed issues where the game importer's ROMs path could become incorrect when toggling iCloud.
• General:
  • Fixed logic for deleting multi-disc ROMs to handle all associated files.
  • Resolved potential issues with PVImageFile path validation.
  • Addressed various compilation warnings and minor code issues.

Cores

• JIT and JITless Dreamcast cores
  • Very early test release. Many known issues. Audio/Video sync speeds wrong.
  • Sonic Adventure and SA2 sometimes loads, sometimes doesn't. May depend on BIOS versions

🛠️ Other Changes

• Extensive code refactoring for clarity, reusability, and maintainability (e.g., removing unused code, DRY principles).
• Updated project files and build settings (e.g., build variables, minimum deployment target to 16.0).
• Improved localization string handling.
• Enhanced logging throughout various modules.
• Updated to use cache layers more effectively to reduce direct database hits.

---

3.1.0a1 Pre-release

Pre-Release Notes

This pre-release includes a major overhaul of iCloud synchronization, significant improvements to the game import process, and various UI/UX refinements and bug fixes.

✨ New Features & Major Enhancements

• Overhauled iCloud Synchronization (bug/ios-icloud-not-syncing branch focus):
  • Vastly improved reliability and performance of iCloud sync for ROMs, save states, BIOS files, and screenshots.
  • Smarter handling of file downloads, uploads, and conflict resolution.
  • Optimized database interactions during sync to reduce overhead and prevent crashes (e.g., using game cache, batch processing).
  • Correctly handles scenarios like initial app load with existing iCloud files, turning iCloud sync on/off, and background file changes.
  • Improved deletion handling: files deleted from iCloud are now correctly removed locally and from the database, and vice-versa.
  • Refactored sync logic into dedicated Syncer classes for better organization and lifetime management.
  • Enhanced logging and error reporting for iCloud operations.
• Game Importer Refinements:
  • Improved logic for handling multi-disc games (CUE/BIN, M3U) to ensure all associated files are correctly processed before an import is marked complete.
  • Better error handling for late-arriving files, preventing premature completion of the import queue.
  • Refactored import logic to defer processing when necessary and to correctly handle paused or busy importer states.
• UI & UX Improvements:
  • Game Info Display: The "Game Info" option in context menus now correctly presents a detailed, paged view for game information (related to ConsoleGamesView and PagedGameMoreInfoView refactor).
  • Refined alert dialogs and confirmation prompts (e.g., when deleting ROMs).
  • Improved handling of controller inputs, including L3/R3 buttons for older controllers.

🐛 Bug Fixes

• iCloud & Sync: Early support - CloudKit broken, iCloud drive on iOS/iPad OS only.
  • Fixed numerous crashes and synchronization issues related to Realm database access during iCloud operations.
  • Resolved pathing issues where iCloud URLs could be duplicated or incorrectly formed.
  • Addressed bugs related to deleting and then re-adding the same file via iCloud.
  • Fixed issues with file management when turning iCloud sync off (e.g., removal of iCloud files).
  • Corrected handling of battery save directory names.
• Importer:
  • Fixed an index-out-of-bounds error when multiple items were removed from the import queue.
  • Addressed issues where the game importer's ROMs path could become incorrect when toggling iCloud.
• General:
  • Fixed logic for deleting multi-disc ROMs to handle all associated files.
  • Resolved potential issues with PVImageFile path validation.
  • Addressed various compilation warnings and minor code issues.

Cores

• JIT and JITless Dreamcast cores
  • Very early test release. Many known issues. Audio/Video sync speeds wrong.
  • Sonic Adventure and SA2 sometimes loads, sometimes doesn't. May depend on BIOS versions

🛠️ Other Changes

• Extensive code refactoring for clarity, reusability, and maintainability (e.g., removing unused code, DRY principles).
• Updated project files and build settings (e.g., build variables, minimum deployment target to 16.0).
• Improved localization string handling.
• Enhanced logging throughout various modules.
• Updated to use cache layers more effectively to reduce direct database hits.

---

3.0.6a Mostly 3DS improvements, RA update

[3.0.6] - 2025-03-16

Special thanks to all contributors and testers who helped make this release possible.

Added

• Core Options Menu for RetroArch cores
• Enhanced search functionality with auto-hiding search bars
• Improved disc selection menu for multi-disc games
• Support for custom textures in 3DS games
• RAR archive support in file enumeration

Improved

• Major 3DS performance optimizations:
  • NEON-optimized shader interpreter
  • Enhanced Vulkan rendering pipeline
  • Audio processing improvements with NEON optimizations
  • Camera, gyro, and microphone support
  • Async presentation for smoother gameplay
• Updated Mednafen to version 1.32.1
• Improved RetroArch cores with better Vulkan support
• Enhanced continues section with optimized paging
• Threaded rendering and realtime improvements
• Fixed CPU deadlock issues

Fixed

• Fixed search functionality in Home and Console views
• Fixed tvOS build issues
• Resolved logging issues
• Fixed immediate import on conflict resolution
• Various crash fixes and stability improvements

Full Changelog: 3.0.5...3.0.6

What's Changed

• fixed ios 16 md5 hash failing; fixed bios watcher crashing by @pabloarista in #2409
• Release/3.0.6a by @JoeMatt in #2410

Full Changelog: 3.0.5...3.0.6a