Parlor

Apple TV

Parlor on Apple TV is a full emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS, driven by a Bluetooth controller. Games come over from your iPhone or iPad; saves come over from iCloud.

Sending a game from an iPhone or iPad

  1. On the Apple TV, choose Add from iPhone or iPad

    It's in the library header. A four-digit code appears with Waiting for your iPhone or iPad…

  2. On the iPhone or iPad, choose Send to Apple TV…

    Long-press the game in the library, or open Details → Send to Apple TV…. Parlor lists Apple TVs on the same Wi-Fi network.

  3. Enter the code and wait

    The transfer runs directly between the two devices — never through iCloud — and shows progress on both. When the TV says the game is ready, choose Play.

Local network permission

iOS asks whether Parlor may find devices on your local network the first time you send a game. That permission is only used for this feature.

After tvOS clears the app's storage

tvOS treats every app's local data as disposable and can remove it when space runs low. Parlor is built for that:

  • Your library, saves and save states restore from iCloud on the next launch. Nothing is lost.
  • Games whose files are gone show dimmed, with a cloud badge. Select one to see the code screen and re-send it from an iPhone or iPad. The bundled homebrew game is always present.
  • Your last-played game, favorites and play time come back with everything else.

Controls

  • A controller is required to play. Pair any Bluetooth gamepad in Settings → Remotes and Devices. Until one connects, a game shows Connect a controller to play.
  • The Siri Remote browses the library and its back button toggles the pause menu.
  • Nintendo DS touch: the right stick moves a stylus cursor and the left trigger taps.
  • Menu + Options on the pad opens the pause menu; stick clicks quick-save and quick-load; hold R2 to fast-forward.

What's different on the TV

  • No file picker, touch controls or HUD pills — the pause menu and toasts are drawn larger instead.
  • The 3DS core, widgets, Spotlight and Handoff are iPhone, iPad and Mac features.
  • Trade on this device (two games side by side) isn't offered on the TV; linking with a friend over Game Center is.
  • Settings hides the Controls and TV streaming sections, which don't apply.