Interest in an iOS build?

About SheepShaver, a PPC Mac emulator for Windows, MacOS X, and Linux that can run System 7.5.3 to MacOS 9.0.4.

Moderators: Cat_7, Ronald P. Regensburg, ClockWise

User avatar
carbjo
Inquisitive Elf
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2025 10:50 am

Re: Interest in an iOS build?

Post by carbjo »

New build 14 available for PocketShaver (TestFlight link)
What's new:
  • Fix for memory allocation failed at startup error. Courtesy of @sierra760 !
  • macOS support! Measures indicates same performance as SheepShaver.
  • Fixed high frame rate support. 75 and 120 hz modes now work properly.
  • Greatly improved stability of LAN feature.
  • Increased RAM cap to 1GB.
  • New Graphics tab in preferences.
  • Audio toggle and relative mouse mode toggle available as gamepad buttons.
  • Improved bootstrap flow.
  • Improved disk management UI.
The macOS support was made possible by the memory fix @sierra760 did! I also made som adaptations for mac (mainly hiding touch related settings and UI adaptations).

The high frame rate support fix has a big impact. Most games and software I played feels much snappier and perform better. But there are some titles that has an uncapped framerate, and then booting in 60 or 75 hz mode is the only option.

I specifically noticed Diablo II, Quake and Quake II performed better in 120 hz mode.

Also, Duke Nukem 3D used to be unplayable before. But after the memory fix, it runs well! Though for some reason not at 1024x768 (but all other resolutions).

Running the LAN feature cross platform (iPhone / iPad / Mac) works as well. Enjoy!

EDIT: Just found a memory issue that affects the bootstrapping process. Will try to fix this and post a new build as soon as possible.

EDIT 2: Fixed it and bumped build 13 --> 14
Last edited by carbjo on Sun May 03, 2026 10:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
rscaboyke
Tinkerer
Posts: 60
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 7:54 am

Re: Interest in an iOS build?

Post by rscaboyke »

On my iMac m4 with latest Tahoe beta, PocketShaver immediately crashes on importing install image MAC_OS_8-5_RETAIL_0.ISO and with Apple_MacOS_9.0.4_USA.iso, would want to try this so very bad, thx in advance for any help
User avatar
carbjo
Inquisitive Elf
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2025 10:50 am

Re: Interest in an iOS build?

Post by carbjo »

rscaboyke wrote: Sun May 03, 2026 10:35 am On my iMac m4 with latest Tahoe beta, PocketShaver immediately crashes on importing install image MAC_OS_8-5_RETAIL_0.ISO and with Apple_MacOS_9.0.4_USA.iso, would want to try this so very bad, thx in advance for any help
Hello!

There was a bug that I didn't catch in build 13 (probably because it's an unlucky number :smile: ). I now uploaded build 14 which should fix the crash you were experiencing.
emendelson
Forum All-Star
Posts: 1949
Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:12 am

Re: Interest in an iOS build?

Post by emendelson »

Running in Sequoia - very impressive! Thank you!
rscaboyke
Tinkerer
Posts: 60
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 7:54 am

Re: Interest in an iOS build?

Post by rscaboyke »

Hey, running fine version 14 on latest macOS Tahoe beta, feels snappier, smoother than ever before, thx this is great. So the RAVE graphics (made possible by Sierra760 are fully implemented in this release ? It feels like THE major update ever, what an achievement never expected something like this you guys rock as also the forum does, thanks all of you very very much
User avatar
carbjo
Inquisitive Elf
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2025 10:50 am

Re: Interest in an iOS build?

Post by carbjo »

rscaboyke wrote: Mon May 04, 2026 10:54 am Hey, running fine version 14 on latest macOS Tahoe beta, feels snappier, smoother than ever before, thx this is great. So the RAVE graphics (made possible by Sierra760 are fully implemented in this release ? It feels like THE major update ever, what an achievement never expected something like this you guys rock as also the forum does, thanks all of you very very much
Sierras hardware acceleration features are actually not merged, since they are still in pre-alpha.
I might be able to make another branch and a special TestFlight build when I have time that include those features and the latest from build 14 combined.
If so, that build would probably be on a parallell TestFlight group, with a separate TestFlight invite link. This is because they are not yet compatible with the gamepad overlay system (among some other small fixable quirks).

And I completely agree that the hardware acceleration will be ”the major update ever”, as you say :smile:

The snappyness you are experiencing might be due to the 120 hz refresh rate setting, which is not available in SheepShaver :razz:
rscaboyke
Tinkerer
Posts: 60
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 7:54 am

Re: Interest in an iOS build?

Post by rscaboyke »

Thx for the explanation, I think it would be awesome to have a TestFlight with Rave implemented so we can also test the alpha versions on our Macs, I tried myself to compile the Sierr670 with Rave pocketshaver but as I am on an ARM cpu the compiling failed each time.
I get a crash in pocketshaver when I add a holygrail.iso to it
Last edited by rscaboyke on Mon May 04, 2026 12:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
carbjo
Inquisitive Elf
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2025 10:50 am

Re: Interest in an iOS build?

Post by carbjo »

Absolutely!

Maybe you can edit and remove the crash report from your post, I get all of them through AppStore Connect already!

Otherwise there will be a lot of scrolling for people reading this thread :razz:
rscaboyke
Tinkerer
Posts: 60
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 7:54 am

Re: Interest in an iOS build?

Post by rscaboyke »

I tried once more to compile PocketShaver with Rave implemented, but no avail, even when I set cross-platform in Xcode, chatgpt tells me it's because of my arm iMac, perhaps you'll have more luck
User avatar
carbjo
Inquisitive Elf
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2025 10:50 am

Re: Interest in an iOS build?

Post by carbjo »

rscaboyke wrote: Thu May 07, 2026 10:03 am I tried once more to compile PocketShaver with Rave implemented, but no avail, even when I set cross-platform in Xcode, chatgpt tells me it's because of my arm iMac, perhaps you'll have more luck
For you and anyone else that want to try out the pre-alpha graphics acceleration feature, I made a build available! :razz:
It is, however, on a parallell TestFlight group, check out my post in the other thread for instructions.
rscaboyke
Tinkerer
Posts: 60
Joined: Thu May 10, 2007 7:54 am

Re: Interest in an iOS build?

Post by rscaboyke »

1000x thx and more, now we can try it out on our Macs too, any suggestions about settings in the graphic tab best for an iMac m4 ? nano plays fantastic as is, but when cmd+Q it stops pocketshaver not nano game in emulation.

But hey what a present to play with in the weekend, can't thank you and Sierra and everyone here enough
User avatar
carbjo
Inquisitive Elf
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2025 10:50 am

Re: Interest in an iOS build?

Post by carbjo »

rscaboyke wrote: Sat May 16, 2026 1:34 pm 1000x thx and more, now we can try it out on our Macs too, any suggestions about settings in the graphic tab best for an iMac m4 ? nano plays fantastic as is, but when cmd+Q it stops pocketshaver not nano game in emulation.

But hey what a present to play with in the weekend, can't thank you and Sierra and everyone here enough
Thanks!

About the cmd+Q thing: I'm not sure if we can manage to prevent that key combo, but if nothing else, I can add an option to map cmd+F7 (in practice cmd+fn+F7 on most keyboards) to perform in-emulation cmd+Q.
That option could have a toggle in Preferences, for those who do not want it. I can add it to the next build! :smile:
Post Reply