Quick Answer:
Citra was shut down in March 2024 after Nintendo’s Yuzu settlement. Its code lives on in forks, and Azahar is the actively updated 3DS emulator for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
The Citra emulator is no longer under active development. Its GitHub repository was shut down in March 2024, but archived builds and community forks still exist. For most people, Azahar is the practical way to run Nintendo 3DS games on a computer or Android phone. pcgamer
Who this guide is for:
This guide is for someone who searched for the Citra emulator and wants to know whether it can still be downloaded, what replaced it, and which option fits their device.
ShareCodeCheck.org is mainly known for UK share code guidance, so this article stays practical. It covers emulator status and download safety only. It does not cover where to get game files or system keys, and it is not legal advice.
Wanna discover guides about more on that in the ShareCodeCheck.org guides.
What is the Citra emulator?
The Citra emulator is a free, open-source Nintendo 3DS emulator. It was first created in 2014 and became the standard way to play 3DS games on PCs and Android phones. pcgamer
What happened to the Citra emulator in 2024?
On 4 March 2024, the developers of the Switch emulator Yuzu settled with Nintendo, agreeing to pay $2.4 million and stop developing and distributing it. The case was filed against Tropic Haze LLC, the company behind Yuzu.
Citra shared the same founders. Reports described it as collateral damage of the settlement, and its repository and downloads were removed. PC Gamer’s coverage has the details. yahoo
Nintendo’s complaint was about Yuzu. It alleged that Yuzu broke the anti-circumvention provisions of the DMCA. The case ended in a settlement, so no court ruled on it.
Archived Citra builds versus active forks
Older Citra builds still run on current hardware, but they receive no official fixes. There is no official Citra update, support forum or compatibility patch from the original team. The original project’s websites survive only as archives.
Forks carry the code forward. Azahar was created by merging PabloMK7’s Citra fork with the Lime3DS project, both of which appeared shortly after Citra was taken down. github
| Option | Console | Status | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citra (original) | 3DS | Discontinued, archived builds only | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android (historically) |
| Azahar | 3DS | Actively updated; 2126.2 released 8 October | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Citron | Switch | A Yuzu fork, a different console | Windows, Linux, Android github |
Azahar: the actively updated Citra successor
Azahar is an open-source 3DS emulator project based on Citra. Its latest stable release on the official releases page is 2126.2, dated 8 October 2026. That release mainly addresses a reported security advisory, and users are advised to update.
Version 2126.0 added a notable feature. It brought multiplayer to the Android app, including public and private rooms. Treat the 2127.0 alpha builds as pre-releases. The project advises backing up your user data before using any pre-release build.
Azahar publishes installers and zip archives for desktop, a macOS universal build, a Flatpak and AppImage for Linux, and Android builds. github
Citra download: How to avoid fake installers?
Because the official Citra site is gone, searches for a Citra download return many unofficial pages. Guides warn against random installer sites, repacks, BIOS packs, and links from video descriptions that point to file lockers. techyorker
The safest route is the Azahar repository linked above. Check that the domain matches the project’s own GitHub page before you run anything. Do not download system keys from the internet.
3DS emulator for Android
For most users, the project recommends installing Azahar on Android from Google Play, though the APK from the Releases page also works. Phones still on Android 9 need Azahar 2123.4.1 or older.
3DS emulator for iOS
Neither Citra nor Azahar has an official iOS app, and Azahar’s repository lists no iOS download. Options are limited. Folium, a multi-system emulator with a 3DS core, appeared on the App Store in 2024. Without JIT, some demanding 3DS games will not run on it.
iOS availability changes quickly, so check the current App Store listing yourself. Information here is limited.
Citron is a different console
Citron is not a 3DS emulator. It appeared in November 2024 as a Yuzu fork for Switch games, available on Windows, Linux and Android. Someone searching “Citron switch emulator” has a different need, so this article does not cover Switch setup. androidauthority
Emulators, game files and the law
Emulator software and game files are separate issues. Citra’s own Android listing said the app contained no games or copyrighted system files. The same model applies to its successors. android
Laws differ by country, and this article does not cover UK law. Read the ShareCodeCheck.org disclaimer, and treat this as general information only.
Key Takeaways
- Citra was discontinued in March 2024 after Nintendo’s Yuzu settlement.
- Archived Citra builds run but get no official fixes.
- Azahar is the actively updated successor, with 2126.2 released on 8 October 2026.
- Take Azahar only from its official GitHub repository.
- Android is well supported, and iOS options are limited.
- Citron is a Switch emulator, not a 3DS one.
Next step:
Fake download pages copy official sites to trick visitors. ShareCodeCheck.org’s share code scam guide shows how to spot these impersonation pages before you click.
FAQs
Is the Citra emulator still available?
Not officially. Its repository and downloads were removed in March 2024. Archived builds exist on third-party sites, but Azahar is the maintained alternative.
Why was Citra taken down?
Citra shared its founders with Yuzu. Reports described it as collateral damage of the Yuzu settlement. The settlement ended development and distribution of both. yahoo
Does Citra still work in 2026?
Archived builds still run, but without official fixes or support. Azahar is the actively updated option.
Is the Citra emulator illegal?
The Yuzu case ended in a settlement, not a court ruling on emulators. Legality depends on how you use one and on your country’s law. Downloading games you do not own is infringement.
What is the difference between Citra and Azahar?
Citra is discontinued. Azahar is an open-source 3DS emulator project based on Citra. Azahar continues to receive updates.
How often does Azahar update?
There were several releases in 2026. Release 2124 in January was described as its biggest update yet, and 2126.2 followed on 8 October. androidauthority
Why won’t my Azahar save state load after an update?
Since 2126.1, save states are locked to the Azahar version that created them. Normal in-game saves are separate.