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Yes. Folium is an iPhone and iPad app that explicitly supports Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS games through its Cytrus emulation core. It is a normal App Store install, but it does not include games or system files, and performance varies by device and title.
What is Folium?
Folium is a multi-system emulator for iPhone and iPad. Its U.S. App Store listing names Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS among its supported systems, and the app’s 3DS core is Cytrus. Folium’s Cytrus project is part of the Citra emulator lineage, with later development by the Azahar team.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Nintendo 3DS - Flame Red (Renewed) | $219.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Nintendo 3DS Handheld System - Aqua Blue (Renewed) | $219.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Nintendo 3DS - Cosmo Black (Renewed) [video game]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41tNSwjTXUL._SL160_.jpg)
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Nintendo 3DS - Cosmo Black (Renewed) [video game] | $219.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Nintendo 3DS Handheld System - Cosmo Black (Renewed) | $220.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
![Nintendo 3DS XL Handheld System - Black/Blue (Renewed) [Nintendo DS]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/316whGNkIZL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Nintendo 3DS XL Handheld System - Black/Blue (Renewed) [Nintendo DS] | $279.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The U.S. App Store price was $2.99 when checked on August 16, 2026. Price and availability can differ by country and may change. The ordinary App Store version does not require jailbreaking to install. Folium is not affiliated with Nintendo, and its listing says the app provides neither games nor system files.
Is Folium the same as Delta or Citra?
Folium is the verified iOS 3DS option
For someone specifically looking to play 3DS games on an iPhone or iPad, Folium is the clearly verified App Store option. Its Cytrus core handles 3DS emulation.
#1 Best Overall
- Features: 3D Depth Slider, Wi-Fi Capability, Nintendo 3DS Sound, Mii Maker, 3D Camera, Front & Rear Camera, Touch Screen
- Includes: AC Power Adapter, Stylus
- Wired Connectivity: Wireless
- Model Compatibility: Nintendo 3DS
Delta is for other Nintendo systems, not 3DS
Delta supports several Nintendo systems, including Nintendo DS, but its official project description does not list Nintendo 3DS. A DS game and a 3DS game are different formats for different systems; installing Delta is not a way to run 3DS titles.
“Citra for iPhone” is not the practical download route
Citra matters as part of Cytrus’s technical lineage, but that does not make a generic Citra download site a current iOS app. Use Folium’s official App Store listing rather than relying on unofficial downloads that claim to be Citra for iPhone.
What you need before starting
- Folium: Install it from the App Store listing.
- A compatible game file: Folium does not supply commercial games. Use files you are legally entitled to use.
- System data when required: Some games or configurations may need system files or keys. Requirements vary with the game, file format, and Folium version.
- Realistic performance expectations: Folium warns that emulation may be slow on older devices. Newer iPhones and iPads are generally a safer bet for demanding 3D games, but no hard minimum model is established here.
Folium’s release notes say aes_keys.txt became optional for Cytrus when games are decrypted. That is a specific case, not a promise that every encrypted title or feature works without system data. Do not obtain games, keys, or copyrighted system files from random download sites.
How to set up a 3DS game in Folium
- Open the official Folium App Store page and install the app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Open Folium and complete its onboarding and permission prompts. The exact screens and menu labels can change between app versions.
- Use Folium’s in-app import workflow to add a legally obtained, compatible 3DS game file. Follow the current app guidance rather than changing extensions by hand.
- If the game or setup requires it, import the appropriate system data from your own console setup using Folium’s current instructions.
- If Folium asks which system or core should open the file, choose the 3DS option handled by Cytrus.
- Launch the game, then adjust the available screen layout, controls, graphics, and rendering settings to suit the title and device.
- Pair a controller if you prefer physical buttons. Folium’s App Store listing names support for several controllers, including Backbone One, Joy-Con, Switch Pro Controller, PlayStation controllers, and Xbox Series controllers.
Folium’s release notes describe support for 3DS update files and automatic handling of the .3ds extension by renaming it to .cci in one version. An extension alone does not prove that a file is valid or compatible: encryption, file structure, and the installed app version can matter.
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- Nintendo 3DS offers a new way to play, 3D without the need for special glasses. The 3D Depth Slider lets your determine how much 3D you want to see.
- Play 3D games and take 3D pictures with Nintendo 3DS. One inner camera and two outer cameras. Resolutions are 640 x 480 for each camera. Lens are single focus and uses the CMOS capture element.
- Connect to a deeper wireless experience with SpotPass and StreetPass, giving you more exclusive content and connecting you with other Nintendo 3DS users.
- Complete with an adjustable stylus, 6 AR cards, and fun built-in software such as Face Raiders, Nintendo 3DS Sound, and the Mii Maker application.
- Use Parental Controls to restrict 3D mode for children 6 and under.
Will 3DS games run well on an iPhone?
Not necessarily. Folium’s App Store listing warns that performance can be slow on older devices, and it does not promise that every game runs at full speed. Results can depend on the iPhone or iPad chip, the game, graphics settings, rendering and driver behavior, thermal throttling, audio and shader load, and the Folium/Cytrus version. There are no universal frame-rate figures established for all devices and games.
There are also usability trade-offs beyond speed. A 3DS uses two screens, touch input, cameras, motion-related features, analog controls, and specialized graphics behavior. On a phone, two screens must share one display; virtual controls can cover part of the image, and a controller does not replace touchscreen, camera, or motion input. A layout that suits one game may be awkward for another.
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- Item Package Dimension- 8.49999999133L x 6.099999993778W x 2.399999997552H inches
- Item Package Weight - 0.9499999992033387 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - VIDEO GAME CONSOLE
Folium’s release notes show continued work on areas such as cameras, multiplayer, screen layouts, rendering, controller behavior, and save states. Those changes indicate an evolving implementation, not that every feature works perfectly in every title. Multiplayer support mentioned in release notes should not be read as a guarantee of access to Nintendo’s original online services; behavior may depend on the game, app version, and network setup.
What to do if a game does not appear or start
- Check that the file is for Nintendo 3DS, not Nintendo DS or another system.
- Confirm the transfer to your device completed and that the file is not corrupted.
- Reopen Folium and rescan or import the file again through the app’s import function.
- Check Folium’s current guidance for supported file types. Do not assume that renaming a file makes its contents compatible.
- If the title is encrypted, check whether that game and setup require system data or keys. Requirements are not identical for every file.
- Try another compatible title. If it works, the problem may be specific to the original game or file rather than the whole app.
- Check Folium’s release notes and issue tracker for current Cytrus or import problems.
- Back up save files and states before moving files, reinstalling, or updating Folium. Its release notes mention save-state fixes and 3DS save-state export support.
Is emulation legal?
That depends on jurisdiction and on how game copies, system data, and keys were obtained. Emulation software and copyright infringement are separate questions: having an emulator does not authorize downloading copyrighted Nintendo games or system files. Use materials you are legally entitled to use, and consult the law that applies where you live if you are unsure.
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Best Value
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The resulting product includes all relevant accessories, comes
- 3D Entertainment Without Glasses- Nintendo 3DS games have incredible graphics, and you can turn down the 3D effect to any level, or turn it off completely at any time with the build-in 3D depth slider to play games in crisp, clear 2D
- Two Screens- A widescreen display on the top screen shows 800x240 pixel resolution, allocating 400*pixles for each eye to create the 3D effect. The bottom LCD touch screen operates at a resolution of 320*240
- 3D Photos, Plus More- Nintendo 3DS comes built-in with the ability to take photos in 3D. Capture eye popping images of your friends and family, have fun with filters like the Merge lens, or even use the system's AR technology and included AR Cards
Apple’s App Review Guidelines address retro console and PC emulator apps, but Apple’s policy is not a blanket ruling that every source of game files or every copying method is lawful.
Quick Recap
Who should try Folium?
| What you want | What to expect |
|---|---|
| A straightforward App Store route to 3DS emulation | Folium is the verified option described here; the U.S. price was $2.99 when checked on August 16, 2026. |
| A library of games included with the emulator | Folium does not provide games or system files. |
| To play Nintendo DS games rather than 3DS games | Delta supports Nintendo DS, but it is not a 3DS emulator. |
| Perfect compatibility or a turnkey replacement for a 3DS | Folium does not promise this; compatibility and performance vary by title and device. |
| Physical controls | Folium lists several supported controllers, but a controller does not solve dual-screen, touch, camera, motion, or game-specific limitations. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
