Getting Started
Install the preserved Ground Zeroes Companion App on Android, BlueStacks or iPhone and create your Mother Base. iPhone users can now choose SideStore without a jailbreak or the existing TrollStore/jailbreak route.
Prefer to watch the setup?
Android and BlueStacks setup videos plus project demonstrations and technical preservation breakdowns are available on the MGSV GZ Preservation YouTube channel. The new iPhone setup is documented below while early compatibility testing expands.
Choose where you want to play
Use a compatible Android device, BlueStacks 5 Nougat 32-bit on Windows, or iOS Preservation 1.0.6 on iPhone. The current iOS release also restores the Android-style level-based console bonus character unlocks. iPhone users can install through SideStore without a jailbreak, or use the existing TrollStore/jailbreak route where compatible. iOS has different save/recovery behaviour from Android.
BlueStacks 5
The easiest option if you do not already own compatible Android hardware.
- 1
Install BlueStacks 5
Download BlueStacks 5 from the official BlueStacks website and complete the normal Windows installation.
- 2
Create a Nougat 32-bit instance
Open Multi-instance Manager → Fresh instance → Nougat 32-bit.
CPU CoresHigh (4 Cores)MemoryEnhanced (4GB)ResolutionLandscape 1280 × 720DPI240 - !
Use BlueStacks preservation v0.26
v0.26 includes the renderer mitigation developed for Mother Base loading instability. If Mother Base still crashes during entry, reopen the app and try again; a failed entry does not by itself indicate save corruption.
- 3
Let the emulator settle
After the Android home screen appears, give BlueStacks about 20 seconds before launching the Companion App.
- 4
Install the BlueStacks APK
Use BlueStacks' Install APK option or drag the v0.26 APK onto the home screen.
Download BlueStacks build
Android Phone / Tablet
Use Android v0.25 on a device whose firmware still supports 32-bit armeabi-v7a applications.
- 1
Check compatibility first
The processor may be 32-bit or 64-bit; the installed firmware must still be able to run 32-bit ARM apps. A 64-bit-only Android device is not compatible.
Check compatible devices - 2
Download Android v0.25
Use the standard Android build rather than the BlueStacks-specific APK.
Download Android build - 3
Allow APK installation
Android may call this Unknown sources or Install unknown apps. Grant it only to the browser or file manager you use for this installation.
- 4
Install and launch online
Open the downloaded APK, complete installation and launch while connected to the internet so registration, synchronization and cassette delivery can reach the Android preservation server.
The System Requirements page includes an ADB command that can confirm whether armeabi-v7a support is present.
SideStore installation
Use SideStore to install iOS Preservation 1.0.6 without jailbreaking the iPhone. Version 1.0.6 retains the modern-device compatibility fix proven on an iPhone 16 and adds the restored console bonus character progression. SideStore's current first-time setup requires access to a computer, Wi-Fi and an Apple Account; after setup, installs and refreshes are managed from the phone.
- 1
Install SideStore using its official guide
Complete SideStore's prerequisites and initial installation, including LocalDevVPN, trusting the developer profile and Developer Mode where required by iOS. If the Stable SideStore build installed by iLoader cannot sign in or connect to Apple services, install SideStore Nightly instead. This was required during our successful iPhone 16 test. Nightly is pre-release software, so use Stable when Stable works correctly.
- 2
Add the MGSV:GZ Preservation source
Once SideStore is running, open the project SideStore guide and tap Add to SideStore.
Open SideStore Guide - 3
Install and keep it refreshed
Install iOS Preservation 1.0.6 from the project source. With free Apple signing, refresh the app before its seven-day counter expires. Do not delete the app just to refresh it.
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Protect your local Mother Base
iOS Mother Base progression is stored locally. Refreshing or updating in place should preserve the installed app's data, but deleting the app can remove the local save.
Jailbroken iPhone
The original direct IPA method remains available for supported jailbroken or TrollStore-capable iPhones. Initial live validation: iPhone 12 / iOS 15.6.1 / TrollStore.
Jailbreak availability depends on both the exact iPhone model and installed iOS version. Back up important data before modifying iOS, and use reputable maintained guides only. Do not install jailbreak tools from random download sites.
- 1
Check your exact iPhone and iOS version
Open Settings → General → About and note the model and Software Version. Then use the iOS Guide device selector; it routes each model/firmware combination to the appropriate maintained method.
iOS Guide — Select your iPhone - 2
Use the correct jailbreak family
iPhone 6s / SE 1 / 7 / 8 / XA9–A11 devices. Depending on iOS version, the maintained guide may direct you to Dopamine or palera1n.iPhone XR / XS / 11 / SE 2A12–A13 devices. Dopamine is the main current route on supported firmware; use the model selector for the exact version.iPhone 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / SE 3A14–A17 devices. Only specific firmware versions are jailbreakable; check the live guide before doing anything.Newer / unlisted iPhonesIf the maintained device selector does not list a supported jailbreak for your model and firmware, the iOS build cannot currently be recommended for that phone. - 3
Follow a maintained jailbreak guide
Useful maintained references:
- 4
Download iOS Preservation 1.0.6
Download MGSV_GZ_Companion_Preservation_v1.0.6_iOS.ipa directly from this website and verify the SHA-256 checksum if possible.
Download iOS 1.0.6 IPA - 5
Install the IPA
If TrollStore is available for your firmware, open the downloaded IPA in TrollStore and choose Install. Jailbroken users on other supported setups should use the IPA installation method recommended by their jailbreak. Avoid third-party signing websites.
- 6
Register a callsign and enter Mother Base
Launch while online, complete the preservation registration flow, close the RETURNING TO MOTHER BASE notice using the app's X button, then enter Mother Base normally.
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iOS save behaviour is different
Mother Base progression is currently stored locally on the iPhone. The iOS release does not currently provide the Android Restore Code / migration flow. Do not delete the app if you want to keep your current iPhone Mother Base. A future preservation version may add a dedicated full-save backup/restore system.
Callsign registration · Native Mother Base · local progression · recovered cassette playback · iDROID / DATA PORTAL preservation notices · modern iPhone horizontal safe-area tuning · modern-device installation compatibility · level-based console bonus character unlocks · separate iOS preservation server.
Registration and save behaviour
All platforms can create a callsign, but Android/BlueStacks and iOS currently protect progress in different ways.
Create your callsign
Registration creates the preservation identity used by your selected platform's server.
Android / BlueStacks Restore Code
Android and BlueStacks accounts receive a private Restore Code used for server-backed migration/recovery. Keep it outside the app.
Android server synchronization
Android/BlueStacks synchronize the original compact Mother Base save data to the preservation server and can restore supported synchronized state later.
iOS local Mother Base
iOS 1.0.6 keeps the full Mother Base experience local to the iPhone. There is no public iOS Restore Code / migration flow in this release.
Separate iOS network services
The iOS server handles restored registration, cassette/network endpoints and public ranking data while local Mother Base gameplay remains on-device.
Do not delete an iOS save you need
Until dedicated iOS backup/restore is added, treat deleting the iOS app as destructive to its local Mother Base data.
FIRST LAUNCH CHECKLIST
If something does not look right
A few simple checks solve most first-launch problems.
BlueStacks crashes entering Mother Base
Confirm you are using v0.26, allow the emulator to settle after startup and retry the entry if necessary.
Android APK will not install
Confirm the firmware supports armeabi-v7a and that the browser/file manager has permission to install unknown apps.
SideStore cannot sign in / connect
If Stable was installed through iLoader and Apple-account connection fails, try the current SideStore Nightly build. This fixed the issue on our iPhone 16 test. For other install/refresh failures, confirm LocalDevVPN and Wi-Fi are active and SideStore itself is still signed.
Direct iOS IPA will not install
For the TrollStore/jailbreak route, confirm your installer supports the exact firmware. Avoid random signing services.
iOS layout looks clipped
The display tuning was validated on an iPhone 12, while iOS 1.0.6 installation has also been confirmed on an iPhone 16. Some original MGSV controls intentionally extend toward screen edges; send a screenshot through Report a Bug if a control becomes unusable on another model.
Moving an Android Mother Base
Use your saved Restore Code rather than intentionally creating a fresh replacement base.
Downloaded file looks suspicious
Compare its SHA-256 hash with the value on the Download page. It must match exactly.
Build your Mother Base
Check compatibility, download the correct preservation build and follow the platform-specific notes above.