Amigo emulator turns the iPad into a fully configurable Amiga

Amiga emulation on the iPad has taken a sizeable step forward. Amigo is a new native emulator for Apple’s tablet, and it’s based on WinUAE, one of the best-known Amiga emulators around. That matters because this isn’t just a lightweight app for loading a few old floppy images. It gives iPad users access to a surprisingly broad range of Amiga hardware configurations, from basic 68000 machines right through to far more powerful setups with 68060 CPUs, RTG graphics and expanded memory. It’s also free. There are no adverts, no in-app purchases and no account to create before you can start using it.

WinUAE at the heart of the app

Amigo is developed by Thomas Lübker and builds on Toni Wilen’s WinUAE emulator. It’s released under the GNU GPL v2 licence. The hardware support is extensive. You can configure Motorola processors from the 68000 up to the 68060, and there’s support for OCS, ECS and AGA chipsets. FPU and MMU emulation are included too.

In practical terms, that means you’re not locked into one imaginary Amiga model. You can set up something close to an Amiga 500 for older software, then create another configuration that resembles a much faster expanded machine.

Memory support goes up to 256 MB of Zorro III RAM. Amigo also includes RTG graphics through a Picasso96-compatible uaegfx implementation, so Workbench doesn’t have to stay inside the Amiga’s original low-resolution display modes. That opens the door to much more capable desktop setups.

Plenty of ways to load software

Amigo handles the usual Amiga disk formats. ADF floppy images work, along with ADZ and DMS files. Hard-drive support includes HDF files, RDB images and plain hard-drive images, while WHDLoad is supported as well. Getting files onto the emulator is fairly straightforward. Amigo uses Apple’s Files app, so you can move the files you need into its folder without dealing with a separate transfer system.

You can also create named machine configurations. That’s useful because Amiga software can be picky. One game might expect an older chipset and modest memory, while another program may benefit from a faster processor and a larger Workbench setup. Instead of changing everything each time, you can keep separate configurations and switch between them.

Save states are included too, along with automatic saving. If you’re using the iPad in short sessions, that can make a big difference. You don’t always want to boot an entire Amiga setup from scratch just because you closed the app earlier.

Touch controls that actually fit the iPad

Mouse control is usually one of the awkward parts of running desktop software on a touchscreen. Amigo offers two approaches. The first is direct pointer control. Touch a position on the screen and the Amiga pointer follows your finger. The second turns the display into something closer to a laptop trackpad, where finger movement controls the pointer relatively.

Two-finger scrolling works in both modes. Apple Pencil users get some extra options. Pencil hover can move the pointer, while the squeeze gesture can act as a click on supported hardware.

You’re not limited to touchscreen controls either. Amigo works with hardware keyboards, mice, trackpads and game controllers. If you’d rather use only the iPad, there’s a virtual Amiga keyboard, plus separate overlays for the numeric keypad, function keys and joystick controls. It’s a sensible mix. You can keep things simple on the sofa or connect proper peripherals when you want something closer to a desktop setup.

External displays are supported too

Amigo can send the Amiga display to an external television or monitor using USB-C or AirPlay. The external screen can show the emulated Amiga full-screen while the iPad stays available for controls. Add a keyboard, mouse or controller and the setup starts behaving much more like a small desktop computer than a conventional tablet emulator.

Networking is also included through bsdsocket.library support. Compatible Amiga applications can use the iPad’s internet connection from inside the emulated system. Combine that with RTG graphics, extra memory and faster processors and Amigo can handle much more than old games. It can also run fairly elaborate Workbench installations and Amiga applications built for expanded systems.

You’ll still need your own Amiga files

Amigo doesn’t come bundled with copyrighted Kickstart ROMs, AmigaOS installations or commercial Amiga software. If you already own suitable ROMs and system files, you can copy them into the Amigo folder using the Files app. For users who don’t have a Kickstart ROM ready, the emulator includes the open-source AROS Kickstart replacement, so the app can boot and run compatible software without requiring original system files immediately.

Amigo requires iPadOS 17 or later and is designed specifically for the iPad. There’s no advertising, no subscription and no paid upgrade waiting behind a menu. The App Store listing also says the developer doesn’t collect data from the app.

More than a simple game launcher

Amigo looks aimed at people who want an actual configurable Amiga environment on an iPad, not just a button for launching old games. Its WinUAE base gives it plenty of flexibility, while the iPad-specific controls keep it from feeling like a desktop emulator awkwardly squeezed onto a touchscreen.

You can build a basic 68000 system, experiment with AGA machines or put together a faster RTG-equipped Workbench setup with far more memory. That’s a lot of Amiga inside one tablet app.

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