A developer has achieved a remarkable technical feat by successfully running Windows 11 ARM on an M2 iPad Air through emulation, leveraging recent regulatory changes from the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Developer NTDev demonstrated the groundbreaking implementation, which utilizes UTM technology to translate Windows code into ARM instructions in real-time. The process is made possible by new EU regulations that allow iOS and iPadOS users to sideload applications through third-party app stores.
The technical achievement relies on "AltStore Classic," an alternative app store that enables the installation of UTM with Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation support. While iPadOS typically restricts direct virtualization for third-party apps, JIT compilation enables Windows 11 to operate without requiring device jailbreaking.
To optimize performance, NTDev employed Tiny11, a streamlined version of Windows 11 with reduced bloatware and system requirements. The StikDebug helper app from AltStore manages JIT compilation in the background, allowing for smoother operation.
While the developer reports the system runs "quite decently," video demonstrations suggest the performance isn't yet suitable for replacing a traditional PC. This development joins previous successful attempts to run Windows 11 on mobile devices, including OnePlus and Xiaomi Android tablets.
This breakthrough highlights the impact of EU regulations on enabling new technical possibilities for mobile devices, potentially opening doors for future innovations in cross-platform compatibility.