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Getting Started

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nickybmon edited this page Mar 31, 2026 · 2 revisions

Getting Started

Download and Install

  1. Go to the Releases page and download the latest .dmg.
  2. Open the DMG and drag OpenEmu.app to your Applications folder.
  3. Launch OpenEmu. The app is notarized by Apple — no Gatekeeper workaround or xattr command is needed.

Requirements: macOS 11.0 (Big Sur) or later, Apple Silicon Mac (M1/M2/M3/M4). Intel Macs are not supported.

First Launch

The first time you open OpenEmu, a Setup Assistant walks you through core installation. The cores are the emulation engines for each system.

Leave the core selection as-is unless you know exactly what you're doing. Installing all available cores is the right choice for most users.

Click Go when the assistant finishes — you'll land in your game library.

Grant Input Monitoring Permission

OpenEmu accesses controllers and keyboards at the hardware level (via IOKit HID), which requires a special macOS permission.

If your keyboard or controller isn't responding in-game:

  1. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Input Monitoring
  2. Add OpenEmu to the list (use the + button or drag the app in)

Even though macOS labels this "keyboard monitoring," it applies to all input devices including gamepads. OpenEmu cannot read your passwords — macOS blocks that automatically.

Adding Your First Game

Drag and drop a ROM file onto the OpenEmu library window. That's it.

  • For standard cartridge-based games (NES, SNES, GBA, etc.): just drop the file.
  • For CD-based games (PlayStation, Sega CD, Saturn, etc.): follow the CD-Based Games guide — these require extra steps.
  • For systems that need BIOS files (PlayStation, Sega CD, Saturn, Dreamcast, etc.): see the BIOS Files guide before trying to play.

Cover Art

OpenEmu-Silicon integrates with ScreenScraper.eu for automatic box art. Go to OpenEmu → Preferences → Cover Art, enter your ScreenScraper credentials (free account), and your library will fill in automatically.

Next Steps

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