M2 iPad Air Runs Windows 11 ARM via Emulation, Thanks to EU Rules

[MacRumors]

A developer has demonstrated Windows 11 ARM running on an M2 iPad Air using emulation, which has become much easier since the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations came into effect.

As spotted by Windows Latest, NTDev shared an instance of the emulation on social media and posted a video on YouTube (embedded below) demonstrating it in action. The achievement relies on new EU regulatory changes that make it easier to sideload apps on iOS and iPadOS devices. Under the DMA, users can now download third-party app stores like "AltStore Classic," which enables the installation of UTM with JIT (Just-In-Time) compilation support.

UTM is the technology that makes it all possible, and emulates Windows 11 inside iPadOS by translating Windows code into ARM instructions as it runs. Technically, iPadOS restricts direct virtualization for third-party apps, but JIT compilation allows Windows 11 to boot and function smoothly without requiring jailbreak access. NTDev credits AltStore's StikDebug helper app for enabling JIT compilation in the background.

NTDev improved performance by using Tiny11, a stripped-down version of Windows 11 that removes bloatware and reduces system requirements. This optimized version requires less RAM and storage than standard Windows 11. The developer says it runs "quite decently," although judging by the video, the performance isn't good enough for it to be a PC replacement.

This isn't the first time Windows 11 has been demoed running on a tablet. As Windows Latest notes, Microsoft's operating system has previously been successfully booted on OnePlus and Xiaomi Android devices.

Article Link: M2 iPad Air Runs Windows 11 ARM via Emulation, Thanks to EU Rules

 

[JosephAW]

Apple needs to have an android sandbox in order to preserve all the purchases when switching from android to iOS.

 

[iZac]

Why can an iPad run Windows 11 at 0.1 FPS , but my PC which lacks a TPM 2.0 is summarily denied?

I know, I know - it's emulated, but my gripe remains valid!

 

[robvalentine]

So it is possible to have a more useful OS on an iPad?

 

[alphaswift]

Super interesting, but Windows ARM itself is just a subset of x86 windows. I'm not sure I really see a benefit to running ARM, unless you prefer the UI.

 

[gpat]

Please just endorse this, Apple.
Parallels/VMWare in the App Store to allow Windows/macOS on iPad on demand, and no one will complain about your FisherPrice OS anymore.

 

[tubular]

It's a bit like playing a hoedown on a Stradivarius.

 

[bradman83]

Apple needs to have an android sandbox in order to preserve all the purchases when switching from android to iOS.

But then you don't have to re-purchase or re-subscribe to everything in the App Store and give Apple that sweet, sweet 10-30% cut.

 

[jakey rolling]

It's a bit like playing a hoedown on a Stradivarius.

Good joke, to be sure, but if you were to think on it a bit:
1) Chances are pretty good that if you can get your hands on a real Strad, you're probably skilled enough to play a pretty damn good hoedown.
2) While it may not be the typical kind of music you'd usually play on a Strad, a hoedown will definitely get you more people dancing than the usual Strad fare.

 

[Haiku_Oezu]

>runs "quite decently,"
>20 seconds to start Task Manager

Yeah I don’t think this has any use other than just proving it’s possible

 

[AppleTO]

Would this not be virtualization, rather than emulation? Both the hardware and OS are ARM.

 

[555gallardo]

Finally, the iPad makes sense.

 

[eqquito]

Please allow this on the US. I need Windows on my iPad for apps that dont have an iOS/iPad version.

 

[Spike1999]

Does that mean I can finally code Java/Spring Apps on an iPad? 😳

 

[Reverend Benny]

Cool, have been running Windows 11 on ARM for 6 months now (qualcomm) and its been great so Windows definitely runs well on ARM.
Would have been interesting to see it running on a M1 iPad (or later) with 16GB ram where they could allocate at least 8GB to the virtual machine.

 

[SebCohen]

Why can an iPad run Windows 11 at 0.1 FPS , but my PC which lacks a TPM 2.0 is summarily denied?

I know, I know - it's emulated, but my gripe remains valid!

My Xeon 3.6GHz bla bla bla WITH TPM 2.0, 32GB ECC RAM bla bla bla "can’t" run Win 11…which is why I’m getting a MacBook Bro for myself when I feel sufficiently annoyed with Microsoft for stabbing me in the back. Granted, it’s an old trusty HO trusty workstation but is surprisingly fast and agile to this day.

 

[orbital~debris]

Just shows – Windows looks rubbish whatever hardware it's running on.

 

[fenderbass146]

Super interesting, but Windows ARM itself is just a subset of x86 windows. I'm not sure I really see a benefit to running ARM, unless you prefer the UI.

compatibility of Windows apps...most Windows apps run perfectly fine on ARM via emulation. I do it all the time on my MacBook in a VM.

 

[nuff_said]

So it is possible to have a more useful OS on an iPad?

Possible, yes; Profitable, no.

 

[mystery hill]

Super interesting, but Windows ARM itself is just a subset of x86 windows. I'm not sure I really see a benefit to running ARM, unless you prefer the UI.

Windows 11 has the same UI for ARM and x86.

 

[mystery hill]

Would this not be virtualization, rather than emulation? Both the hardware and OS are ARM.

No, Apple disabled support for virtualization in an iOS/iPadOS update. This is using emulation with JIT, which is why it is much slower.

 

[salamanderjuice]

Why can an iPad run Windows 11 at 0.1 FPS , but my PC which lacks a TPM 2.0 is summarily denied?

I know, I know - it's emulated, but my gripe remains valid!

You can work around the TPM 2.0 requirement just as this VM is. Rufus can make a bootable USB that ignores the TPM requirement.

 

[syklee26]

That's like a bodybuilder cross-dressing. Looks hideous.

 

[Digital Dude]

As a prior long-time Kool-Aid drinker of Apple products, I find this possibility intriguing. 👏

 

[Edgecrusherr]

Apple allowing access to the hypervisor and JIT would be a game changer for me on the iPad. Otherwise, it’s nothing more than a toy to me.