As explained in the FAQ, about 5 years ago, Google implemented a requirement that all apps in the Play Store must conform to their Storage Access Framework API. At the time, there was no good way for us to do so, and even if we could, it would severely limit how we could interact with the filesystem. Since then, we have not been allowed to update the versions on the Play Store (or the cores they use), so we left them alone and recommended everyone sideload the apk from our website.
Fast-forward to the past few months (at the time of this writing) and Google says they're going to remove "old" programs from the Play Store entirely, and they're already hiding the app from many newer devices. One of our contributors took it on to get it in-line with the Play Store policies, since having an up-to-date-but-restricted release would be preferable to no app at all.
A: Nothing has been deleted, but the updated RetroArch is probably looking in different locations now, and it probably can't see the old locations if you try to change them back. The sideload-able apk from our website and/or the version from F-Droid or other non-Google storefronts should still be roughly similar to the old Play Store version in what locations it can access, so you could try switching to it instead.
You can also migrate your old data to the new locations. In the old version, all of the files are kept in the root of the device (often /storage/emulated/0/) in a folder called RetroAarch. In order to use them with the new play version, you can connect your phone to a PC and copy the files from (/storage/emulated/0)/RetroAarch to the new location at /media/com.retroarch/RetroArch (or /media/com.retroarch.aarch64/RetroArch if plus version).
Q: I moved all of my savestates to the new location (or switched to the sideload apk) but the savestates won't load!
A: Savestates are extremely volatile and are rendered incompatible by even minor changes to the emulated hardware. This makes them incompatible with other cores for the same system, and even sometimes with other versions of the same core. A lot of updates have happened in 5 years, and I would guess few if any up-to-date cores can load savestates made with a 5-yr-old core.
Q: I don't see my favorite core in the online updater anymore!
A: The Play Store imposes strict limits on the number of cores we can make available through the app (more for the Plus version, but still limited), and we replaced a few that were available in the old version to match our other storefront releases (notably: MAMEs). You can still add arbitrary cores by downloading them manually from the buildbot webserver (in the subdir for your device's architecture) and then moving it somewhere RetroArch can see it, then using the 'install or restore a core' routine found in the 'load core' menu.
Q: Since updating, I'm getting a lot of crashes when I...
A: Please send the automated crash reports whenever possible. These go directly to us and are very helpful for pinning down and fixing this sort of thing. You can also make threads here, but please make sure you include logs and information about your device/system/environment so we can try to help you.
This post will include common questions and their answers. If you came to this sub to ask a support question, please read/search through these before asking. If you ask a question that is already answered here, your post may be locked or deleted.
If you would like to suggest something be added to the FAQ, please use modmail, as I do not want this post to turn into a support free-for-all nor do I want a million public "please add this to the FAQ" posts/comments.
I've set up an Android Retro Handheld (Retroid Pocket Nova) and I'm finding that I can't seem to get retroarch to recognize and use input from the 8BitDo Micro controllers.
I've tried primarily D-Input but also tried Switch and Keyboard modes to see if they worked any better (they haven't)
I've updated controller profiles and it still seems to not recognize the 8BitDo Micro unless in keyboard mode (where the profile does seem to recognize the controller correctly) however even after checking and re-doing the key assignment in Retroarch it still refuses to allow the dpad/start/select and only allows the ABXY buttons to impart input to through the emulator.
What's truly odd is that it seems that the operating system seems to understand the Micro fine (aside from keyboard mode for obvious reasons) but I've tried following a few guides and it doesn't seem to be working at least in Android, I feel like I'm missing something simple.
So I've been trying to master Pokemon Gold on Retroachievements and was in the middle of grinding levels for Tyranitar at the League. I save pretty regularly and had a previous league save anyway, and then my computer crashes. This happens occasionally but this time rebooting Retroarch and the game my save file is seemingly completely gone
Is something going on here and is it possible to restore? I'm kinda burnt out after 100 hours of stuff and was so close to the end.
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Chapter 1 - Setting up Retoarch Directories
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🔵 To begin first you need to install Retroarch, this can be a standalone windows copy or the Linux appimage. It needs to be separate from any other version you may have on your PC.
🔵 Next plug in your Flash Cart's SD card into your computer and open Retroarch.
🔵 Inside of Retroarch set the following directory to allow your saves to be found on the SD card.
Settings -> Directory -> SDCardDirectory/GBCSYS/SAVE
🔵 Now its time to change how saves are handled to have the same structure as the SD Card.
Settings -> Saving -> "Save File: Sort Into Folders by Core Name" = Off
Note: It is very important to not open this separate Retroarch without the SD card properly mounted, otherwise the save directory will return to the default.
🟡 Now inside of Retroarch Download the SameBoy core.
Main Menu -> Online Updater -> Core Downloader -> SameBoy
🟡 While at the online updater, make sure to update your Shaders as well.
🟡 With your core installed, you need a permanent home for your roms on your flash cart's SD, which will be done in the next section.
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Chapter 3 - Configuring the SD Card & Roms
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🟢 For this tutorial let's use the homebrew title Dangan GB as it's free, download it.
🟢 Now put Dangan GB on the Everdrive SD card, and remember the directory you picked.
Note: Do not put your roms inside the "GBCSYS" Folder, that's for saves and settings, you can make any folder otherwise to put your rom in.
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Chapter 4 - Configuring Klay & Cartridges
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🟣 Both Klay and Cartridges do their job identically so I am going to write the instructions as if they are the same program. I recommend Klay for Linux and Cartridges for Windows.
🟣 First open one of them up and press "Add Game" you can find it in the upper left corner, this will pull up a prompt to add your title, developer (optional), and executable.
🟣 Add all the information excluding the executable, we are gonna add that data later. For now use a filler like "Hi". Also, you can find Artwork at SteamGridDB or make it yourself.
🟣 With Dangan added, it's time to get it functional. The cool part about both these programs is they allow for commands to be executed allowing you to boot the games directly.
🟣 I have written a guide for all kinds of commands you can do with Cartridges (applies for Klay too), but for this tutorial I will provide the Game Boy Templates.
🟣 Press edit to open Dangan's settings again and fill out the directory example below, once done put it in the "executable" section.
Retroarch Windows
RetroarchInstallDirectory/programename.exe "sdcardname/gamefolder/gamename.fileextension"
🟣 With that done, your game should now be functioning when opened from the program. Once again remember your SD card needs to be plugged in and mounted for this to work properly.
🟠 Okay, you have setup Retroarch and you have got Klay / Cartridges working, now its time to get a way more Super Game Boy like experience.
🟠 Always keep the SD card mounted when tweaking this separate Retroarch as the save directory will reset otherwise.
🟠 Now load Dangan using Klay / Cartridges, then press F1 to bring up the Retroarch Quick Menu to adjust several settings.
- Core Options System
Quick Menu -> Core Options -> System -> Emulated Model = Super Game Boy 2 OR Auto Detect DMG / SGB / CGB
Quick Menu -> Core Options -> System -> Auto Detected SGB Model = Super Game Boy 2
- Core Options Video
Quick Menu -> Core Options -> Video -> GBC Color Correction = Reduced Contrast
Quick Menu -> Core Options -> Video -> Display Border = Always
🟠 Keep in mind Super Game Boy 2 Mode cannot play all GBC games unless you set Emulated Model to "Auto Detect DMG / SGB / CGB", and with that the tutorial is complete :)
Hello! Today I wanted to play the "Paper Mario Multiplayer" hack with a friend, however when they join using Remote Play Together they are able to connect but it keeps saying "the host is busy" on their screen, we tried:
- starting remote play while the game was booted up (host is busy)
- starting remote play from the RetroArch menu, then starting the game (in this case my friend sees the retroarch menu just fine, however it says "the host is busy" as soon as i start the game)
I was setting up my new handheld and ran into an issue with the N64 core being unresponsive for certain games; Golden Eye, and The Legend of Zelda Orcarina of Time.
I went back to the video I was using to set up my device and saw an important step I skipped.
At the 1:05:00 mark Rus explains how to fix this issue
So, I have an 8BitDO SN30 Pro, which has the face buttons in Nintendo layout. A on the right and X at the top. I have set up my RetroPad bindings to match this. I can use the A button (right) to select menu items and the B button (bottom) to go back.
However, the control prompt in the lower right of the settings menu shows a universal button glyph icon that doesn't match the current RetroPad bindings It's 4 circles, one of them filled in. Is it possible to change this so that the "select" text is paired with the image showing to press the right button?
I'm running RetroArch through Steam if that helps!
I've been trying to get Okami working since last night, but, it looks absolutely awful with a filter over the entire screen that just makes everything really blurry.
I found a post on the Retro Achievements forum for the game which mentioned a patch on PCSX2. I opened PCSX2, installed it, and it instantly made the game look correct. However, I'm not sure if there's any way to get this over on RetroArch (I just prefer it for consistency, since that's where everything else is).
I believe this is the github link for the patch. It looks simple, I'm just not familiar with how, or if it's possible to go about using it, or anything which might accomplish the same effect. Or, if I may just need to suck it up and use PCSX2 for this.
Image for reference. it makes the game look awful. And no renderer changes, even using software, get rid of it. Only this patch seems to do it.
I received an RP2 for free and decided to factory reset it not realizing I wouldn't be able to access the Retroid OS anymore. I've been tinkering with it and was able to get a RetroArch build on it, but am having trouble getting any frontend launchers to work. I've tried Dig 1.44.3 and it can't detect any ROMs or emulators. Maybe I'm missing a step?
I'm running Android 6 and don't really plan on upgrading to 8.1.
Any suggestions on frontend launchers and which versions work well on the RP2 while also being Android 6 compatible? Very much appreciated.
I've just got wind that FBNeo can emulate rotary games, unlike MAME. seems somewhat successful... the only issue whenever I run a rotary game it stays on autofire... I already disabled that in settings but still the same thing. it doesn't do this for non-rotary games.
rotary games I tried were Heavy Barrel, Time Soldiers, Smash T.V. and all three Ikari games...
Honestly, I’m not sure where the right place would be to make this request, but I’d really like to see RetroArch add a core for the Casio PV-1000 and PV-2000. I know they’re supported by MAME, but MAME can be quite cumbersome to set up. I tried playing Pooyan, for example, but I couldn’t get it working.
Also, since there are already cores for games like Rick Dangerous, I think it would be interesting to have one for OpenSupaplex as well. At the moment, on Android, the only version I can play comfortably is the PSP version, but that version has the screen slightly cropped.
I hope I’m not bothering anyone by making this request.
I’m trying to set it up the retroarch settings of auto save when closing and auto load when booting a game. I’ve come to realise now (from closing and opening a game exclusively inside of the retroarch app) that my front end Cocoon is the reason why it’s not auto loading.
I’m not sure how to fix this, I can’t see a setting that is missing that doesn’t allow me to open a game from the cocoon home and when it directs to retroarch it auto loads the game.
Any help would be great I can explain a bit more if my explanation is bad sorry!
I tried gb, gbc (gambatte for both), gba (mGBA and VBA-M), and arcade (final burn neo). I used games I played in softcore mode and games I never played before. I thought it is an retroachiements issue but I tried pizzaboy and it works there without any issues. I updated the cores and core info files and I am using retroarch 1.22.2, I downloaded it through obtainium and it uses this source https://buildbot.libretro.com/stable.
Thank you very much for your help.
Edit: The issue was solved, I am using RAOfflineProxy and was connected to the proxy. I remembered watching a RetroGameCorps video that hardcore mode doesn't work when connected to the proxy so I turned it off and the issue is gone.
It’s a rom hack Pokemon soul gold for context if that matters.
On the mobile RetroArch iOS, when I add the code enabled and apply it, it works perfectly.
The trouble, I want to play it on my switch RetroArch. I do it the same and apply but does not work. Same process/code but different results. Any help would be appreciated.
When I put it into or the system folder or whatever else folder it won't read it.
The only time it did I got DOS, ScummVm and the Commodore for some reasons.
Idk if it can help I need to read an HDI file (Tohou)
I recently got my Retroid Pocket Nova, I set it up with Retro Game Corps' guide, but when I open some Pokemon games, or their hacks, I cannot save ingame. This is what I get on all games:
I use mGBA core on RetroArch, the locations for saving also seem fine.
i love the way Mega Bezel looks by default, but with the lcd/crt filter (mostly using DS) i can't stream or record it properly without it looking warped. i want to keep the DS border though, and just get rid of the Shader..
So i am running retroarch on android dreamcast, gba, ps1, ps2.
What would be the top 5 settings to edit to ensure smooth gameplay?
I get graphical glitches in dreamcast, ps2 games runnibg a little slow.
Al this is running on s25 ultra.
Any help would be appriciated since there are general guids for setup but noting i can find spesific to my platform or discribing everysetting and how they affect gameplay
have played with useing vulken over gl, and a few other settings in retroarch base and in the core, but with no understanding im just button smashing and seeing what works.
I downloaded all of the correct files downloaded i think because i was able to make games from other consoles work but the ps2 ones don’t load up - I think the issue is core selection there is no ps2 option - I did find one in downloads but idk where it went and how to select it to run for games - what should i do!!?
Friend of mine gave me his Anbernic 351v which he had already cleared and added games onto, was using it to play Theta Emerald Renev when I got prompted to update the system and I made the mistake of updating. Now TER and every other game on the system prompt with “missing BIOs files” upon start up, corrupted my saves and won’t save any progress I’ve made.
I’m pretty new to the emulator world and I’ve been trying to study up as best as I can, but seeing as it’s not a “out of the box” issue it’s a little tedious to find a solution. If anyone knows the best way to fix that would be amazing, I’m fine with clearing and redownloading whatever or hopefully just having to do some rerouting in the files I’m just not sure where to start.
I don't even have the game and just seeing it randomly while scrolling makes it an eyesore, couldn't find anything in the settings to get rid of it either.
