What is a PC emulator, and why did Apple allow it on the App Store?

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Computer and IT

Context:

Apple has recently changed its policy to allow emulators on its official app store.
The move will allow users to run classic software, mostly games on iOS, iPadOS and visionOS.

What is an emulator for a PC?

An emulator, as the name suggests, is software that allows a computer device to emulate another software.
With the help of an emulator, a host system can run software, programs, which are designed for the guest system.
Emulators are commonly used to play video games from older consoles, and test software across different platforms.
Allowing emulators on its App Store could help the iPhone-maker ensure users do not use third-party app stores in the EU to download emulators.

Are PC emulators legal?

Using an emulator is considered legal if users own the software they are running on the emulator.
However, if users use the emulator to run pirated copies of a software or use the emulator to distribute or download ROMs of software they do not own, it is considered illegal.
Emulators are legal to use and distribute in India, users may land in trouble if they use emulators to run software such as games, operating systems, or applications) without the proper licenses or ownership.

What are the risks associated with the emulator?

If the emulator is downloaded from unofficial sources they can infect the host system with viruses.
Emulators can never provide the 100% accurate results guaranteed by real device testing.
Emulators can also impact the performance of a device since they are resource-intensive and may lead to decreased CPU performance, overheating, and potential damage to the battery.