Your 3DS games, on the screen you choose

3DS Emulator – Enjoy Nintendo 3DS Games on Your Device

3DS Emulator brings your favorite Nintendo 3DS games to your device with smooth gameplay, simple controls, and easy setup. Enjoy a familiar gaming experience anytime, anywhere.

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Direct Windows installer (64-bit) · View Android, macOS & Linux downloads

Handheld-style gaming on devices running a 3DS Emulator
4 supported platformsHD display optionsSave game progress
About

What Is the Azahar 3DS Emulator?

A free, open-source way to enjoy your own dual-screen handheld library on modern computers and phones.

3DS dual-screen gaming on modern devices
not operated by NintendoUse games you own

Continuing the legacy of Citra

Azahar is a high-level Nintendo 3DS Emulator for PC and mobile devices. It was created by merging PabloMK7's Citra fork with the Lime3DS project, both of which emerged shortly after Citra was taken down in 2024, and it is actively developed by a community of contributors.

The project aims to give 3DS owners a place to enjoy their titles with improvements over the original hardware, such as higher resolutions, modern controllers and save states. It also serves homebrew developers and preservation research.

Licence
GPLv2
Based on
Citra
First stable
2120, March 2025
Features

Features That Upgrade Your 3DS Games

Everything here comes from Azahar's documented capabilities, focused on visuals, comfort and convenience.

Resolution scaling

Render games well above the handheld's native resolution for crisp visuals on 1080p, 1440p and 4K screens.

Vulkan and OpenGL

Switch between graphics renderers to find the best speed and compatibility for your GPU and drivers.

Modern controllers

Map any compatible gamepad, keyboard or touch overlay to the circle pad, d-pad and face buttons.

Save states

Capture and restore any moment instantly, alongside each game's own save system.

Flexible screen layouts

Show both screens stacked, side by side or with an enlarged main view, and swap them with a hotkey.

Game compression

Shrink decrypted games by roughly 30 to 45 percent, with batch compression on desktop.

Artic Base support

Stream a game from your own 3DS to the emulator over your local network without a separate dump.

Custom textures and per-game settings

Load texture packs and keep separate settings for demanding games, including on Android.

How It Works

Ready to Play in Four Simple Steps

From the right download to your first game, follow a setup process that stays clear at every stage.

Choose your platform
No game files are included. Use your own compatible game dumps.
  1. 01

    Download the App

    Pick the installer or APK that matches your Windows, Android, macOS, or Linux device.

  2. 02

    Add Your Games

    Choose a folder containing compatible game files dumped from your own 3DS collection.

  3. 03

    Set Up Controls

    Adjust screen layout, graphics, touchscreen inputs, and controller mapping for your device.

  4. 04

    Play and Save

    Launch your game, use save features when supported, and back up your progress regularly.

Compatibility

Supported Platforms and Builds

Official Azahar builds and formats as listed by the project, with the notes that matter when choosing one.

PlatformAvailable formatsNotes
WindowsInstallerZip archiveMSVC / MXEThe developers suggest MXE builds when you are unsure which toolchain to choose.
macOSUniversalarm64x86_64Native builds for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, plus a universal option.
LinuxFlatpakAppImageFlathub is the recommended source; the standard AppImage is preferred over the Wayland variant.
AndroidGoogle PlayVanilla APKCurrent releases require Android 10 or newer.
iPhone / iPadNo standalone appOnly the libretro core has reached iOS, where JIT is disabled and speed is limited.

Hardware needs vary by game and settings, so a modern GPU and processor give the most consistent results.

Use Cases

Who Uses a 3DS Emulator and Why

Common ways owners and developers put Azahar to work.

Play on a big screen

Enjoy the games you own on a desktop monitor or TV with sharper visuals than the original handheld.

  • Raise internal resolution
  • Pick a widescreen-friendly layout
  • Connect a familiar gamepad
Benefits

Why Players Choose Azahar

Practical value beyond the feature list, from preservation to everyday convenience.

Your library, revived

Games stay playable even if your console's hinge, screen or battery wears out.

Better than original visuals

Higher resolutions and texture options make older titles feel fresh.

One project, many devices

The same emulator on desktop and Android keeps settings and habits familiar.

Active development

Regular releases bring fixes, speed gains and new features over time.

Open and transparent

Public source code means anyone can inspect how the emulator works.

No cost to start

Free software with no subscriptions, ads or paid tiers in official builds.

Setup

Installing Azahar on Every Platform

The recommended route for each system, based on the project's own instructions.

Windows

  • Open the Releases page and choose the installer or zip.
  • Pick MXE if unsure, then run or extract it.
  • Add your game folder and map controls.

macOS

  • Download the universal, arm64 or x86_64 build.
  • Move Azahar into Applications.
  • Approve the first launch in macOS security settings.

Linux

  • Install from Flathub for easy updates.
  • Or download the standard AppImage.
  • Mark the AppImage executable and launch it.

Android

  • Install from Google Play for automatic updates.
  • Or sideload the Vanilla APK from GitHub.
  • Choose a user folder and your games folder.
Official builds

Download 3DS Emulator for Your Device

Get a ready-to-run Azahar release for your operating system. Pick your platform to download the installer or app directly from the developers' GitHub release assets.

Desktop

Windows

Choose the recommended 64-bit Windows installer. Works on Windows 10 or later with compatible graphics hardware.

Download for WindowsInstaller · 64-bit
Mobile

Android

Install the Vanilla APK on Android 10 or newer. Use your own decrypted game files and keep app permissions under your control.

Download Android APKAPK · Android 10+
Desktop

macOS

Download the universal Mac build for both Apple Silicon and Intel devices, where available.

Download for MacUniversal build · macOS 13.4+
Desktop

Linux

Download an AppImage build to run Azahar on a supported 64-bit Linux system, or use the Flathub package.

Download for LinuxAppImage · 64-bit

Downloads come directly from Azahar's official GitHub releases. The download buttons locate the newest stable release file for your platform. Games are not included; use your own legally obtained dumps.

Safety

Download and Usage Safety Notes

Simple habits that keep your device, accounts and saves protected.

  • Use the official source

    Download only from the Azahar GitHub repository, Flathub or Google Play.

  • Avoid repacks

    Skip bundles that add games, system files or extra installers.

  • Never share logins

    No emulator needs your console, Google or Apple account password.

  • Back up saves

    Copy your user folder before updates or switching builds.

  • Keep software current

    Install new releases and graphics drivers for fixes and stability.

  • Review permissions

    On Android, check that requested permissions match what the app needs.

Pros and Cons

Strengths and Limitations

A balanced look at what Azahar does well and where it has limits.

Pros

  • Free and open-source under the GPLv2
  • Native builds for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android
  • Resolution scaling, save states and controller support
  • Game compression and Artic Base streaming
  • Actively developed with regular releases

Cons

  • No standalone iPhone or iPad app
  • Requires your own decrypted games and system files
  • Does not load .3ds files or encrypted games
  • Demanding titles need capable hardware
  • Choose a prebuilt release for your operating system; you do not need to compile the source code
Release History

Release and Version Information

Key milestones from public release notes and coverage. Check GitHub for the current version.

  1. Citra taken down

    The original Citra project ended, and community forks quickly appeared to continue development.

  2. Merger announced

    PabloMK7's Citra fork and Lime3DS announced they would combine into a single project, later named Azahar.

  3. Release 2120

    The first stable Azahar release launched for desktop and Android after release candidate testing.

  4. Release 2124

    A major update brought ROM compression to Android, lower input latency and a new minimum of Android 10.

  5. Release 2125

    Azahar became available as libretro cores, with release notes highlighting a disk shader cache and lower Artic Base CPU usage.

Version numbers and dates change with every release, so the Releases page is the authoritative source for the latest build.

Troubleshooting

Quick Fixes for Common Problems

Match the symptom to the most likely fix before changing other settings.

Azahar will not start

Update graphics drivers, then try the other renderer or the alternate Windows build (MSVC or MXE).

Game does not appear or load

Use decrypted files in a supported format. .3ds files and encrypted games are not supported.

Low frame rate

Lower internal resolution, keep JIT enabled and try Disable Right Eye Rendering.

Stutter in new areas

Shaders are compiling. Keep the disk shader cache enabled so later sessions run smoothly.

Mii or online features fail

Some games need Mii data or system files dumped from your own 3DS.

Crackling audio

Close background apps, check audio emulation settings and confirm the game runs at full speed.

Guides

Latest 3DS Emulator Guides

In-depth articles on downloading, setup, games and performance.

3DS Emulator download setup on a laptop

3DS Emulator Download & Installation Guide

3DS Emulator download guide for Azahar: official installers, which file fits Windows, macOS, Linux or Android, and how to stay safe.

Read article
3DS Emulator on an Android device

3DS Emulator Setup for Android

Read article
3DS Emulator setup on a Windows PC

Best 3DS Emulator Settings for PC

Read article
Performance settings for a 3DS Emulator

Fix Slow 3DS Emulator Performance

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View All Guides
FAQ

3DS Emulator Frequently Asked Questions

Twenty answers in two categories covering the emulator, setup, games and performance.

A 3DS Emulator is software that recreates the Nintendo 3DS hardware on another device, so games you own can run on a PC, Mac or Android phone. Azahar is a free, open-source example that continues the work of Citra.

Yes. Azahar is free and open-source software licensed under the GPLv2. No official build requires payment or a subscription.

Azahar publishes standalone builds for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android. There is no standalone iPhone or iPad app.

Azahar is based on Citra. It was created by merging PabloMK7's Citra fork with the Lime3DS project after Citra was taken down in 2024.

Emulator software itself is generally lawful, but laws vary by country. Use games and system files dumped from hardware you own, and check the rules where you live. This is general information, not legal advice.

No. This site provides information and links to the official Azahar GitHub repository. It is not operated by the Azahar project or Nintendo.

The download section provides ready-to-run official Azahar builds for each platform are listed on the Azahar Releases page.

No. Azahar does not ship games or console system files. You provide decrypted games and any required system data from your own 3DS.

Yes. Internal resolution scaling lets games render well above the original handheld resolution, which looks much sharper on modern screens.

Yes. The project publishes stable releases and release candidates on GitHub, with notable updates such as Release 2124 in January 2026 and libretro cores in Release 2125.