Getting Started
Before You Begin
WARNING!
Do NOT format the included microSD card. This will result in the loss of the RetroidOS closed system and all pre-installed games. If this happens, a copy of the contents (without games) can be found here.
Be careful about restoring/formatting Android. If you do this, you will lose pre-installed emulators and possibly some configuration settings. If this happens, you can find a backup image of Android here, and instructions on the process here. If you need to restore Android to the original state, you will need to flash it. This can brick your device if done incorrectly, please only attempt at your own risk, and ask for assistance in our Discord channel if needed.
Applying The Screen Protector
Follow this helpful video guide for how to apply the screen protector.
Booting Up For The First Time
When you first power your RP2 on, it will boot into the Android OS side of the device. You can now connect your device to your WiFi network through your system settings. WEP does not work on the RP2, so use WPA2 encryption.
Setting Up RetroidOS
If your preference is to use the RetroidOS closed system, navigate to the Toolbox application and select "Install Retroid Pocket App". (If you have an RP1, you'll want to download the Retroid App APK file within the built in browser from https://bit.ly/3bZhcQN and install it with Miix. It shows up under the APK Files menu in Miix). Once installed, open the Retroid app and say OK when it asks to reboot to the Retroid Pocket System. To setup WiFi in the RetroidOS system, hold the Home button for two seconds, and select Handheld settings. Open WiFi and click on Connect WiFi Network, and select the network you wish to join. To return to the Android OS, hold down the Home button for two seconds and click on Switch system. Press OK when asked to reboot to Open Source Android System.
Adding your own ROMs to RetroidOS
If these instructions don't exactly match the way you've set up your own RP2, you'll already know enough to change those steps on your own, so I'll assume that you're doing this with a unit fresh from the factory.
1. Safely eject your original 32GB micro SD card from the RP2. If you aren't sure how to do that, just turn the unit off completely (not just standby), then remove the card. The micro SD card slot is on the bottom of the unit, under a rubber flap. After you lift the flap (it's NOT a plug that comes out completely), push the card INTO the slot slightly with your thumbnail. It is held in place by a mechanism kind of like a clicky ballpoint pen. Pushing it in slightly until it makes a soft click will cause a spring to push it out so you can grab it easily. Do not use tweezers or any metal tools, as you will probably damage the slot.
2. Connect the micro SD card to a computer with a suitable card reader. If your computer tells you that the card must be formatted before use, DO NOT FORMAT THE CARD. There is (probably) nothing wrong with it, and it contains hard-to-replace files that are required by Retroid. If you see such a message, try using a different card reader, or a different computer.
3. On the computer, copy any ROM files you want to transfer into the "/games/download/" folder on the micro SD card. This might also be a good time to make a backup of the files that came on the micro SD card with the RP2, in case something happens to the card later. Once the copy is complete, safely eject the micro SD card from the computer.
4. Reinsert the micro SD card into your RP2. Push it into the slot until you hear a soft click; this will be a little further in than flush with the edge of the slot. Don't forget that the micro SD card should be inserted with the face (printed side) down (away from the screen side), and the back (plain black side) up (toward the screen side). If you switched the RP2 off, turn it on again. If it is in Android mode, switch to Retroid mode.
5. In the Retroid system, hold the "HOME" button until the system menu appears.
6. Move the highlight to "Enter game settings" with the d-pad or left thumbstick, and then press "A" to select it.
7. Move the highlight to "External games management" with the d-pad or left thumbstick, and then press "A" to select it.
8. Using the controls shown on the right side of the screen, select a game to add to the Retroid's game menu.
9. A window will pop up, asking you to choose an emulator for this game. Move the highlight to the appropriate emulator name with the d-pad, and then press "A" to select it. Only the short emulator core names are shown, so if you can't figure out which emulator is the correct/best, you may need to do some research. This list may help.
Your game should now be available from the Retroid game menu. If you have finished adding games, press "Y" until you get back to the main game menu. Enjoy!
NOTE: Some people have commented that game files must not be zipped. These instructions have only been tested with a regular (uncompressed) Super Famicom game. There may be additional issues with using zipped files or multi-file games (e.g. bin/cue disc images).
SD Card Options
The RP2 comes with a 32 GB microSD card. Do NOT format this card, as it contains the files for the RetroidOS side. If you accidentely format it, you can find the contents (without games) here. If you need additional storage, you will need to buy an addition card. For help on which microSD card to buy, see Accessories.
If you buy an additional card, it can be left as external storage or formatted as internal storage. Depending on your needs, you may wish to have both an external and internal card, or just one or the other. To swap between cards, make sure to turn off your device before removing the card and inserting the other.
Internal Storage
If you want to be able to transfer files to the device via USB from your PC, and don't mind the card only being used for the RP2, you will want to format your new card as internal storage. To do this, go to Settings -> Storage -> Select Card -> Menu -> Format as Internal. To see the device once connected to your PC, go to Setting -> Storage -> Select Card -> Migrate Apps and Data.
To transfer files from a Mac, you'll need Android File Transfer.
External Storage
If you don't mind using a card reader to transfer files to your SD card, and you want to be able to use the card in other devices, you will want to keep the card as external storage. If you still want to be able to use the RetroidOS side, you will need to manually create /games and /games/data directories on the card. RetroidOS will generate the other files it needs if it has these directories.
Controller Settings
The controller is already setup in Android. If you ever are prompted to choose a controller, it is Playstation 3.
Joystick Mode Toggle
What is Joystick Mode Toggle in the Toolbox app, and what do the 3 options mean?
- Analog Square mode - Emulators treat the left joystick as a analog stick, but will only register up, down, left, right.
- Analog Circle mode - Emulators treat the left joystick as a analog stick, and fully registers circular movement in all directions.
- RetroArch mode - Emulators treat the left joystick as a duplicate of the DPAD, and it does not register as an analog stick, but instead as a 4-way digital stick.
Further Configuration
Android google account or anonym/non google settings
The R^P^2 offers an Android v6 with this you can login your Google's account to the google services like the Play Store; if you don't want to sync your personal account you are free to leave without any account sync or create a dummy account for the device, also you can use a FLOSS/free/libre alternatives to get new apps.
To do that you can use the F-Droid app catalogue for managing the FLOSS apps, like moonlight or retro arch (adding the retroarch repo first; which normally is a version newer compared to the Play Store). Also you can use Aurora store(also in f-droid) a direct alternative to Play Store, to manage all the apps (like Steam Link).
Finally if you have any privacy concerns you can safely disable (in the Toolbox app) the google apps like:
- Google Play Store
- Google Play services (also GSF Google Services Framework)
- Google Contact Sync
- Browser (replace with Firefox/Fennec is recommended)
- Sound Recorder, Music, Video, Pictures
The default apps in the R^P^2 does not interact with the GSF.
Emulators
See Emulators.
Frontends & Launchers
Retroarch
See A Brief Guide to Retroarch.
Thank you to straxusii, TortugasSs, silverduskmusic, r0b0-tr0n, Jecklen, dsachs420, TotallyTerry, R E T R O, Lugubrious and DFOXpro for their contributions to this guide.
