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ArkOS 2.0 Setup Guide

Step-by-step setup for R36S, RG353VS, RG353PS, plus dual-boot instructions for RG353V and RG353P.

► Supported Devices
R36S RG353VS RG353PS ArkOS 2.0 RG353V Dual Boot RG353P Dual Boot

Introduction

This guide applies to all handhelds running ArkOS 2.0, including the R36S, RG353VS, and RG353PS. Devices like the RG353V and RG353P can dual boot between ArkOS and Android.

The first half of this guide covers ArkOS setup for all models, while the final section explains how to use Android mode on dual-boot devices.

Prepare Your ROMs Folder

Before inserting your cards, structure your ROMs folder on your computer to match the OS layout. Create a main Roms folder, then sub-folders by platform, such as nes, snes, or gba. Place each system's games inside its folder using supported file types.

Tip: If a platform's games do not appear, verify the folder names match ArkOS expectations and refresh your game list.

System Setup

  1. 1
    Turn off your device and remove any original cards.
  2. 2
    Insert the 32GB ArkOS card in slot 1 and the 128GB games card in slot 2. Power on and wait for installation to complete.
  3. 3
    Once the main menu appears with game lists, ArkOS 2.0 is installed.

Installing or Switching to Games SD

  1. 1
    Turn off the device, insert the 128GB games card in slot 2, then power on.
  2. 2
    Go to Options → Advanced → Switch to second SD for Roms.
  3. 3
    Wait for the process to finish. Games will appear organised by system.
  4. 4
    Press SELECT → Update Game List, or restart EmulationStation.
ArkOS games SD setup screen

Extras

  • To power off: START → QUIT → Shutdown System.
  • To update ArkOS: Options → Update. This requires Wi-Fi.
ArkOS shutdown menu
ArkOS options menu

Emulator Change

Heavier titles like Dreamcast, PSP, PS1, and N64 may run smoother using RetroArch. Press START → Emulator Settings and set the default emulator per platform.

ArkOS emulator settings

PSP Performance Settings

Launch a PSP game, press the right analog stick to open the PPSSPP menu, then apply these settings:

Graphics

  • Backend: OpenGL
  • Rendering Resolution: Auto (1:1) or 1x PSP
  • Display resolution: Native
  • Frame skipping: Off
  • Auto frameskip: Off
  • Skip buffer effects: Off
  • Skip GPU Readbacks: On
  • Vertex Cache: On
  • Lazy texture caching: On
  • Spline/Bezier curves quality: Low
  • Hardware transform: On
  • Software skinning: On
  • Hardware tessellation: On
  • Upscaling: Off
  • Anisotropic filtering: Off

System

  • Fast memory: On
  • Ignore bad memory access: On
  • I/O timing: Fast
  • Emulated CPU clock: Auto
  • Force real clock: On
  • Enable Cheats: On, for 30 FPS fixes

Tip: For God of War, set CPU clock to 222 MHz and enable the 30 FPS fix cheat.

PPSSPP graphics settings
PPSSPP system settings

Screen Aspect Ratio

Open the RetroArch menu while in game to adjust aspect ratio or enable full screen.

RetroArch aspect ratio menu
RetroArch video scaling menu
RetroArch settings screen
RetroArch full screen setting
RetroArch display setting
RetroArch aspect setting
RetroArch configuration screen
RetroArch quick menu
RetroArch final screen

RG353V / RG353P Dual Boot

These models can dual boot between ArkOS and Android.

  • To boot Android: Remove the slot 1 / 32GB ArkOS card and power on normally.
  • To return to ArkOS: Power off the device and reinsert the ArkOS card before turning it back on.

Once in Android, follow these steps to detect your TF2 games card:

  1. 1
    Tap the Anbernic icon.
  2. 2
    Under Emulators, hold X for 3 seconds, then tap Confirm TF2 Settings.
  3. 3
    Wait around 3 minutes for setup to complete. Repeat for each console if required.
Android launcher
Anbernic Android menu
Android emulator settings
Confirm TF2 settings

If that does not work, try this alternative method below.

Alternative setup step 1
Alternative setup step 2
Alternative setup step 3
Alternative setup step 4
Alternative setup step 5
Alternative setup step 6

Repeat this for each console family, including Nintendo, Sega, PlayStation, and any others you want Android to detect.

Console Notes

Amiga

  • Mouse: L2 + R2
  • Keyboard: hold START + A to type letters

Championship Manager

  • Start: L2 or B
  • Change disks: R1/L1. A small message shows the current disk.
  • Keyboard: SELECT
  • Mouse: right joystick
Amiga controls
Championship Manager controls

PICO-8

If a PICO-8 game does not start properly, open START → Emulator Settings → Pico-8 Emulator and change Auto to Fake08.

PICO-8 error screen
PICO-8 emulator setting
PICO-8 Fake08 option

Troubleshooting

  • If games do not appear, ensure Switch to second SD for ROMs was run and the game list was refreshed.
  • Verify ROM folder names exactly match ArkOS expected format.
  • On dual-boot devices, remember Android will not automatically detect ArkOS cards unless configured.
  • For advanced help, see the ArkOS FAQ for RG353V.