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Bachata S4: The Android PS4 Emulator Based on shadPS4, What Runs and What Phone You Need (2026)
An unofficial Android build of shadPS4 on Google Play; Bloodborne runs around 20 fps on a flagship Snapdragon
- Emulates
- PS4
- Latest
- v0.2.5 · 2026-10-12
- Based on
- shadPS4
- Team
- JICA98 / Zenith Blue
- License
- GPL-2.0-or-later
- Started
- 2026-08
Key points
- Bachata S4 brings the shadPS4 core to Android with FEX, an x86-to-ARM translator. It isn't made by the shadPS4 team, and it's on Google Play.
- The latest version is v0.2.5 (2026-10-12), which adds the PanVK driver for Mali GPUs, a global patch library and native NGS2 audio.
- In the README's tests as of August 2026 (OnePlus 13, Snapdragon 8 Elite), 6 of 9 games reached gameplay and none were rated playable. Bloodborne averaged about 21 fps; Sekiro ran at 19–30 fps.
- It needs Android 12 or later and arm64, and recommends a recent flagship Snapdragon phone.
- Every PS4 emulator on phones has to translate x86 to ARM, so it's much slower than on PC. If you only want Bloodborne, the Bloodborne-Android port is a better fit.
Bachata S4 is a PS4 emulator for Android. It takes the shadPS4 core and adds FEX (a translator from x86-64 to ARM), a Debian runtime and Vulkan rendering, and it's available on Google Play. It isn't an official shadPS4 release; the shadPS4 team has never shipped an Android version. As of November 2026, the latest version is v0.2.5 (2026-10-12). It's still very early: in the README's tests as of August 2026, 6 of 9 games reached gameplay but none were rated playable, and Bloodborne averaged about 21 fps on a Snapdragon 8 Elite.
How it works
- CPU: PS4 games are x86-64 programs and phones are ARM, so FEX translates the code on the fly. That's the main reason PS4 emulation on phones is so much slower than on PC.
- Core: shadPS4's emulation core, with source in zenithblue-oss/shadps4-arm64. The JICA98/Bachata-S4 repo on GitHub only hosts releases, compatibility data and docs.
- Graphics: Vulkan, through the system driver, Mesa Turnip (Snapdragon), Vortek, or a driver you choose. Since v0.2.5 it bundles PanVK V3 for Mali GPUs.
- Android front end: game library, per-game settings, touch controls, physical controller mapping and log export.
Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Android 12 or later (API 31+) |
| CPU | arm64-v8a |
| GPU | Vulkan-capable, with a compatible driver |
| Recommended | A recent high-end Snapdragon (Adreno) phone |
| Storage | Enough room for the app, runtime, shader cache and your games |
The README stresses that two similar-looking phones can perform very differently. Compare reports from the same chip, GPU generation, Android version and driver.
What runs (README snapshot, August 2026)
All tests used a OnePlus 13 (Snapdragon 8 Elite) with emulator versions v0.1.6 to v0.1.8:
| Game | Status | Frame rate |
|---|---|---|
| Bloodborne | In-game (controllable in the Hunter's Dream) | 21 fps average, 17–30 fps |
| Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | In-game (opening area) | 19–30 fps with heavy dips |
| Dark Souls Remastered | In-game (Undead Asylum) | About 24–30 fps |
| Sonic Mania | In-game | About 60 fps |
| Dragon's Crown Pro | In-game | About 60 fps |
| TMNT: Mutants in Manhattan | In-game | Locked 30 fps |
| Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy | Title screen only | About 30 fps |
| Galak-Z | Boots only | — |
| SnowRunner | Boots only (title screen doesn't respond) | 15–20 fps |
"In-game" doesn't mean playable. It means controllable gameplay was reached in one recorded configuration; completion, long-session stability, rendering and audio aren't verified. Newer results are in the database at bachatas4.games.
What's new in v0.2.5 (2026-10-12)
- PanVK V3 3.2.0 for Mali GPUs.
- A global patch library with XML import, plus new patches for more than a dozen games, including P.T., Driveclub, UFC, the Uncharted collection, Marvel's Spider-Man (lower resolutions, shadows off) and Elden Ring (60 fps unlock, 720p).
- Native NGS2 audio, fixing Gravity Rush 2's audio glitches and silent dialogue.
- Horizon Zero Dawn no longer runs out of memory.
Other PS4 options on Android
| Project | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bachata S4 | General PS4 emulator (unofficial shadPS4 port) | On Google Play; every compatibility report includes screenshots, device and driver |
| Bloodborne-Android | Bloodborne-only native port | Translates the code to ARM ahead of time, Snapdragon only; the pick for Bloodborne |
| Lumen Emu and others | Claim to be PS4/PS5 emulators | Also use shadPS4's ARM fork; numbers are developer-reported and unverified |
| sharpdroid | Unofficial Android build of SharpEmu (PS5) | Very little runs; the author says it may be discontinued |
Watch out for fake apps
PS4 and PS5 emulators are a magnet for scams. On Google Play, "PS4 Simulator Pro" says itself that it isn't an emulator, and "PS5 Emulator Prank" is a prank app. Sites like PCSX4, PCSX5 and PS5Emux ask you to fill out surveys or "download a BIOS"; they're all scams (Emulation General Wiki). Android APKs called "Spine PS4 Emulator" are fakes too: the real Spine was only ever released for Linux.
Who it's for
- Owners of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / 8 Elite-class phones: fine for experimenting; 2D and lighter games work best.
- Bloodborne only: use Bloodborne-Android.
- Serious PS4 play: shadPS4 on a PC is far better.
More on mobile is on the Android hub.
FAQ
Is there a working PS4 emulator for Android?
Yes, but they're all very early. Bachata S4 is the most complete: the shadPS4 core plus the FEX translation layer, available on Google Play. In the README's tests as of August 2026, 6 of 9 games reached gameplay and none were rated playable. For Bloodborne only, look at the dedicated Bloodborne-Android port. Many apps simply called 'PS4 Emulator' are fakes.
Is Bachata S4 the official Android version of shadPS4?
No. shadPS4 only releases for Windows, Linux and macOS and has no Android version. Bachata S4 is built by other people from shadPS4's open-source code; the core source lives in zenithblue-oss/shadps4-arm64, and the shadPS4 team isn't involved.
What phone do I need for Bachata S4?
Android 12 or later, an arm64 CPU and a Vulkan-capable GPU. The project recommends a recent high-end Snapdragon (Adreno) phone, and its test data comes from a OnePlus 13 (Snapdragon 8 Elite). Since v0.2.5 it bundles PanVK for Mali GPUs. Similar-looking phones can perform very differently, so compare reports from the same chip and driver.
How does Bloodborne run on Bachata S4?
It reaches gameplay, but the frame rate is low. The README's OnePlus 13 test (Snapdragon 8 Elite, Turnip driver) reached controllable gameplay in the Hunter's Dream at an average of 21 fps, 17–30 fps in play. For smoother Bloodborne on a phone, try the dedicated Bloodborne-Android port.
What games work on Bachata S4?
From the README's 9 tests as of August 2026: Bloodborne (about 21 fps), Sekiro (19–30 fps), Dark Souls Remastered (24–30 fps), Sonic Mania (about 60 fps), Dragon's Crown Pro (about 60 fps) and TMNT: Mutants in Manhattan (locked 30 fps) reach gameplay; Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy stops at the title screen; Galak-Z and SnowRunner only boot. Check the official database for newer results.
Are the 'PS4 Emulator' and 'PS5 Emulator' apps on Google Play real?
Mostly not. 'PS4 Simulator Pro' says itself that it isn't an emulator, and 'PS5 Emulator Prank' is a prank app; PCSX4, PCSX5 and similar sites and installers are scams. Real projects publish their source, say which core they're based on, and never ask you to complete surveys or pay to unlock.