v.2026-03-12
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Initial Setup

GUI Driver

Settings -> Drivers -> Menu
  1. The Retroarch default UI driver is glui on android.
  2. This is a mobile-friendly interface designed for touchscreens, featuring large, flat buttons and simplified navigation.
  3. I recommned sticking with this until you get everything working.
  4. Not the best for nav using a controller. Seems to expect a vertical phone layout so looks wierd when phone is sideways.
  5. After evertyhing works change it to RGUI. This is what I am used to. Main Menu actually shows Settings!
  6. I will admit If I was going to use Retroarch asa launcher I would use Ozone or XMB. Not RGUI. But for config I thing RGUI is still the best.
  7. If using as a gamnes launcher uses XMB which looks like a PS3 and has support for large game lists.

Menu swap OK and cancel Button

Settings -> Input -> Menu Controls. Menu swap OK and cancel Button. The default is western. I am japanese eastern so turn this off.

Retroarch.cfg

This PC\XXXXX A53 UW\Internal storage\Android\data\com.retroarch.aarch64\files\retroarch.cfg

Step By Step

Step # Section Item Action
1 Settings -> Drivers Menu Stick with glui on a android touch screen. I have gotten used to it and now I like using touch screen and not having to rely on controller to configure. Should be the default but if it's not make sure it's glui.
2 Android Reboot If you see Retroarch folder in root of internal storage and not over USB, android sucks and needs a reboot. Connect over usb and make sure you see Retorarch folder in root of internal storage.
3 Retorarch Dir autoconfigs Copy over usb/MTP to android internal storage. Copy autonconfigs dir into Retorarch folder from last step.
4 Retorarch Dir downloads Copy over usb/MTP to android internal storage. Copy cores into downloads in Retroarch dir.
5 Retorarch Dir shaders Copy over usb/MTP to android internal storage. Copy shaders dir into Retroarch dir.
6 Retorarch Dir system Copy system contents bios over to system.
7 Settings -> Directory Controller Profiles default is /data/user/0/com.retroarch.ra32/autoconfig. Change to /storage/emulated/0/RetroArch/Autonconfig.
8 Settings -> Directory Video Shaders default is /data/user/0/com.retroarch.ra32/shaders. Change to /storage/emulated/0/RetroArch/shaders.
9 Settings -> Input -> Menu Controls Menu Swap OK and Cancel Buttons The default is on for western. I prefer snes japanese eastern so turn this off.
10 Settings -> Input -> Retropad Binds -> Port 1 Controls Analog to Digital Type Default is None, set to Left Analog. Do forced in core override where Left Analog does not work.
11 Home -> Main Menu -> Load Core Install or Restore a Core We copied all our Cores into Download. Load everything we want to use from here into private user protected dirs.
12 Settings > User Interface -> On-Screen Overlay Hide Overlay when Controller is Connected Check Hide Overlay when Controller is Connected.
12 Settings > Input Confirm Quit Turn this off. Start + Select Once is enough.