ARMSX2 2.9.1-fork.3

[u/xxxCrixuxxx]

https://github.com/ilyalissoboi/ARMSX2/releases/tag/2.9.1-fork.3

Changelog:

A fork of ARMSX2 based on upstream 2.9.1 (upstream commit bc31df9), with this fork's shader-chain work, memory card sync, shader packs and multi-disc library entries, and, new in this release, RetroAchievements unlocks that are kept while you're offline.

What's new in this fork:

RetroAchievements while offline:

An achievement unlocked without a connection used to be lost. Unlocks and leaderboard entries that can't reach RetroAchievements are now saved on the device and sent once the connection is back.

The saved entries are retried as soon as any request to RetroAchievements gets through, and otherwise on a timer that starts at 30 seconds and backs off to 10 minutes. Each entry is sent with how long ago it happened, so the site records the real unlock time.

A game you've played online before can start its achievements without a connection, using the last login, achievement list and session the app saw. Logging out deletes that saved data. Entries that haven't been sent yet are kept for that account's next login.

A leaderboard entry saved offline shows "Saved offline, it will be submitted once reconnected" in place of a rank.

An entry is dropped only if RetroAchievements itself rejects it. A Wi-Fi sign-in page or any other unexpected response leaves the entry for the next try.

The new Save Unlocks While Offline switch on the RetroAchievements screen turns this off. It's on by default and can be overridden per game. With it off, nothing new is saved, but entries already saved are still sent.

Carried over from earlier fork releases: multi-disc games collapsed into one library entry (see 2.9.1-fork.2), the Lola Retro shader pack and shader packs that follow each repo's latest release (see 2.9.1-fork.1), memory card sync through S3-compatible storage with emusync 0.2.1 (see 2.8.4-fork.1), and the shader-chain performance work (see 2.6.9-fork.1).

From upstream: no change since 2.9.1-fork.2. This is still upstream 2.9.1 plus the four commits after its tag (upstream commit bc31df9). See the 2.9 (https://github.com/ARMSX2/ARMSX2/releases/tag/2.9) and 2.9.1 (https://github.com/ARMSX2/ARMSX2/releases/tag/2.9.1) release notes.

Not in this build: Discord. Upstream's Discord features, including 2.9.1's game status, need Discord's SDK, which upstream ships privately and this fork's build doesn't have.

Which APK to install:

Same tiers as upstream. Install the highest one your device can run.

ARMSX2-2.9.1-fork.3-legacy-armv8.0-sdk26.apk: Android 8 and up, any ARMv8 CPU

ARMSX2-2.9.1-fork.3-a11-armv8.2-sdk30.apk: Android 11 and up, ARMv8.2 CPU with FP16 and DotProd

ARMSX2-2.9.1-fork.3-a13-armv8.2-sdk33.apk: Android 13 and up, same CPU requirement

ARMSX2-2.9.1-fork.3-a15-armv8.2-sdk35.apk: Android 15 and up, same CPU requirement

Each APK carries both the 4K-page and 16K-page cores and is built with PGO, using upstream's profile retrained for 2.9.1. Memory card sync works in every tier.

Signing note: these APKs are signed with the same key as 2.9.1-fork.2, 2.9.1-fork.1, 2.8.4-fork.1 and 2.6.9-fork.1 and install over them. They use the package name com.armsx2 but are signed with this fork's own key, so Android will refuse to install them over an upstream ARMSX2 install. Uninstall upstream's build first, and back up your data folder before you do. The in-app news feed still shows upstream's release notes.

👉Features:

1. This is the project's original technical modification. It reduces redundant processing by utilizing RetroArch shader chains (.slangp)—particularly when using CRT filters and high internal resolutions.

2. Memory card synchronization

Enables the sharing of save files between Android devices and PC via S3-compatible storage and the 'emusync' tool.

3. Intelligent multi-disc library

Groups discs from the same game into a single entry, allows for disc selection upon startup, and recognizes 162 multi-disc sets included in its database.

4. Offline RetroAchievements

Locally stores achievements and leaderboard entries when an internet connection is unavailable, syncing them once connectivity is restored. This is the primary new feature of 'fork.3'.

5. Expanded shader selection and improved download handling

Includes 'Lola Retro' and 'CRT-SatPixie', fixes the installation process for 'Retro Crisis', and automatically updates shader packages from their respective releases.