Installation iOS

You can run VCMI on iOS 12.0 and later, all devices are supported. If you wish to run on iOS 10 or 11, you should build from source, see How to build VCMI (iOS).

Step 1: Download and install VCMI

The latest release (recommended): https://github.com/vcmi/vcmi/releases/latest
Daily builds: https://builds.vcmi.download/branch/develop/iOS/

To run on a non-jailbroken device you need to sign the IPA file, you have the following options:

(Easiest way) AltStore or Sideloadly - can be installed on Windows or macOS, don't require dealing with signing on your own
if you're on iOS 14.0-15.4.1, you can try https://github.com/opa334/TrollStore
Get signer tool here and a guide here (it's for Kodi, but the logic is the same). Signing with this app can only be done on macOS.
Create signing assets on macOS from terminal. In the command replace your.bundle.id with something like com.MY-NAME.vcmi. After that use the above signer tool.
Sign from any OS (Rust) / alternative project (C++). You'd still need to find a way to create signing assets (private key and provisioning profile) though.

To install the signed ipa on your device, you can use Xcode or Apple Configurator (available on the Mac App Store for free). The latter also allows installing ipa from the command line, here's an example that assumes you have only 1 device connected to your Mac and the signed ipa is on your desktop:

/Applications/Apple\ Configurator.app/Contents/MacOS/cfgutil install-app ~/Desktop/vcmi.ipa

Step 2: Installing Heroes III data files

Note: if you don't need in-game videos, you can omit downloading/copying file VIDEO.VID from data folder - it will save your time and space. The same applies to the Mp3 directory.

Step 2.a: Installing data files with GOG offline installer

If you bought HoMM3 on GOG, you can download the files directly from the browser and install them in the launcher. Select the .bin file first, then the .exe file. This may take a few seconds. Please be patient.

Step 2.b: Installing data files with Finder or Windows explorer

To play the game, you need to upload HoMM3 data files - Data, Maps and Mp3 directories - to the device. Use Finder (or iTunes, if you're on Windows or your macOS is 10.14 or earlier) for that. You can also add various mods by uploading Mods directory. Follow official Apple guide and place files into VCMI app. Unfortunately, Finder doesn't display copy progress, give it about 10 minutes to finish.

Step 2.c: Installing data files using iOS device only

If you have data somewhere on device or in shared folder or you have downloaded it, you can copy it directly on your iPhone/iPad using Files application.

Place Data, Maps and Mp3 folders into vcmi application - it will be visible in Files along with other applications' folders.

Step 2.d: Installing data files with Xcode on macOS

You can also upload files with Xcode. You need to prepare "container" for that.

Connect your device to your Mac
Start Xcode
Open Devices and Simulators window: Cmd+Shift+2 or Menu - Window - Devices and Simulators
Select your device
Select VCMI
In the bottom find "three dots" or "cogwheel" button (it should be next to + - buttons) - click it - select Download Container...
Place the game directories inside the downloaded container - AppData - Documents
Click the "three dots" / "cogwheel" button in Xcode again - Replace Container... - select the downloaded container
Wait until Xcode finishes copying, progress is visible (although it might be "indefinite")

Game controls

Tap: left click
Tap and hold (long press): right click
Tap in the bottom area (status bar): activate chat/console in the game

You can start game directly (avoiding the launcher) by changing setting in iOS Settings app - VCMI.

Reporting bugs

Please report about gameplay problem on forums: Help & Bugs
Please report iOS-specific issues in this forum thread or (better) at GitHub with iOS label

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