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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 [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Li1LR9Lc9-cMIFtM7UXWPB8oDDTPqtAi/view here]. | 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 [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Li1LR9Lc9-cMIFtM7UXWPB8oDDTPqtAi/view 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 [https://mega.nz/folder/FQsRGbYD#rMLsoUxaZEIFnt0l6EseJA here], and instructions on the process [https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/753684190603509871/753684754468962435/Retroid2ReflashGuide.pdf 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. | |||
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 [https://mega.nz/folder/ | |||
== Applying The Screen Protector == | == Applying The Screen Protector == | ||
Follow [https://youtu.be/veB4dTZcDn4 this helpful video guide | Follow [https://youtu.be/veB4dTZcDn4 this] helpful video guide for how to apply the screen protector. | ||
== Booting Up For The First Time == | == Booting Up For The First Time == | ||
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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. | 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 ==== | ==== Adding your own ROMs to RetroidOS ==== | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
# Safely eject your 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. | # 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. | ||
# 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. | # 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. | ||
# 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. | # 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. | ||
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Whichever micro SD card you use in your RP2, it can be set up either as internal storage or external 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 one card and inserting the other. If you have an internal card and an external card, you will need to boot up the RP2 in one mode or the other with the incorrect card inserted. In this case it is probably best to swap cards while switched off in RetroidOS mode, as this likely offers less chance for damage to critical files. | Whichever micro SD card you use in your RP2, it can be set up either as internal storage or external 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 one card and inserting the other. If you have an internal card and an external card, you will need to boot up the RP2 in one mode or the other with the incorrect card inserted. In this case it is probably best to swap cards while switched off in RetroidOS mode, as this likely offers less chance for damage to critical files. | ||
=== | === Using Your SD Card as Internal Storage === | ||
If you set up your micro SD card as internal storage under Android, you will no longer be able to use the same card to run RetroidOS. Once you tell Android to use a micro SD card as internal storage, you won't be able to use Android without that card in your RP2, as Android will copy most of your apps and other vital system files over to the card. Additionally, you will not be able to use the card in a card reader connected to a computer, as it will be formatted in a special Android format, which includes encryption. Please note that you will still be able to start up the RP2 in Android mode, and at first glance it will appear to be fine. However, it will not be operating correctly, and trying to open any apps without the "internal" card installed may cause corrupted files that mean you need to reinstall some apps or maybe even completely re-flash Android onto your RP2. | |||
Formatting your micro SD card as internal storage under Android will completely erase whatever is currently stored on it. If you format the 32GB card that comes with your RP2 as internal storage without backing it up first, you will permanently lose the files required to run RetroidOS on your RP2. | |||
With the warnings out of the way, there are several advantages to setting up your microSD card as internal storage under Android. One is that you will be able to install many more Android apps than would fit into the built-in 8GB storage. Also, some Android apps have difficulty accessing external micro SD cards, so this would remove that barrier. Finally, setting the micro SD to be used as internal storage is the only way to make it accessible when connecting your RP2 to a computer over USB (for some reason, the RP2 doesn't expose the external card over USB). | |||
To be able to | There are two slightly different ways to format your micro SD card as internal storage under Android: | ||
#Open the '''Settings''' app and go to ''' Storage & USB ''', then click on the card volume label (the name of your micro SD card). On the next screen, click on the "three dots" menu icon in the upper-right, and select '''Format as Internal'''. To be able to see your RP2 when it's connected to your computer, you'll also need to click on '''Migrate Apps and Data''' in the same menu, once you've finished formatting the card. | |||
#At almost any time (but still in Android), move the virtual mouse to the top of the screen, press and hold the "A" button, and move the mouse down to the bottom of the screen. This will drag the notification menu down. You should see a notification with a micro SD card icon that says, "(Card volume label) For transferring photos and media". Click on this notification to get to the same screen described in option 1, then click on the "three dots" menu icon and click the menu items listed above. | |||
To transfer files from a Mac via USB, you'll need [https://www.android.com/filetransfer/ Android File Transfer]. In certain cases, Mac OS still may not recognize the device. In this case, connecting the card to your Mac using a card reader is recommended. | |||
=== Using Your SD Card as External Storage === | === Using Your SD Card as External Storage === | ||
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If you would prefer to use your micro SD card in card readers and other devices, and don't want to install many Android apps to your RP2, you will probably want to keep the card as external storage. Additionally, if you want to use RetroidOS, you cannot use a card formatted as internal storage; while your RP2 will still appear to boot normally into RetroidOS, you will not be able to access or install any games. | If you would prefer to use your micro SD card in card readers and other devices, and don't want to install many Android apps to your RP2, you will probably want to keep the card as external storage. Additionally, if you want to use RetroidOS, you cannot use a card formatted as internal storage; while your RP2 will still appear to boot normally into RetroidOS, you will not be able to access or install any games. | ||
To use RetroidOS with a new micro SD card, you will need to copy the files from your original 32GB card over to the new card. These files include encryption keys and support files that will allow RetroidOS to read stored games, to install new games from local files, and to access the Retroid "online store". | To use RetroidOS with a new micro SD card, you will need to copy the files from your original 32GB card over to the new card. These files include encryption keys and support files that will allow RetroidOS to read stored games, to install new games from local files, and to access the Retroid "online store". Before you copy the files over, you should also format your new card as "exFAT" format. Using a card formatted as "FAT32" (the most common way that they come in the package) doesn't seem to cause any problems for RetroidOS, but RetroidOS may damage parts of the FAT32 filesystem, causing errors if you also try to use it in Android or an external card reader connected to a computer. | ||
== Controller Settings == | == Controller Settings == | ||
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=== Joystick Mode Toggle === | === 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 == | == Further Configuration == | ||
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The following video collection has been created to collate all of the current Retroid Pocket 2 YouTube content, Covering Guides, Information, Performance Tip and Tricks & Reviews. | The following video collection has been created to collate all of the current Retroid Pocket 2 YouTube content, Covering Guides, Information, Performance Tip and Tricks & Reviews. | ||
All videos have been posted in the Retroid Handhelds Discord server, which can be found here [https://discord.gg/ | All videos have been posted in the Retroid Handhelds Discord server, which can be found here [https://discord.gg/6xpfH5 Here] and the Youtube / Media channel [https://discord.gg/6xpfH5 Here] | ||
These videos have been created by Retroid Enthusiasts in order to share information and to help the Retroid Community - Check them out on Youtube and Subscribe to the channels to see many more informative and helpful video content. | These videos have been created by Retroid Enthusiasts in order to share information and to help the Retroid Community - Check them out on Youtube and Subscribe to the channels to see many more informative and helpful video content. | ||
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* DOS Game Emulation Test: '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A3I25kTGRM&feature=youtu.be Video]''' Content Creator: Spin Retro | * DOS Game Emulation Test: '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A3I25kTGRM&feature=youtu.be Video]''' Content Creator: Spin Retro | ||
* Top 10 Megadrive Games: '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI3tBE4EQVk Video]''' Content Creator: Spin | * Top 10 Megadrive Games: '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI3tBE4EQVk Video]''' Content Creator: Spin Retor | ||
* Android Game Showcase #1: '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9OgK6RMQQk&t=37s Video]''' Content Creator: Spec | * Android Game Showcase #1: '''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9OgK6RMQQk&t=37s Video]''' Content Creator: Spec |