Complete guide to choosing, installing, and customizing firmware for your R36S retro gaming handheld.
Community ArkOS
Easiest installation with Panel Picker Mode
Rocknix
Streamlined settings, integrated UI
Stock ArkOS
Largest community, most documentation
The R36S ships with ArkOS, but several custom firmware options exist. Each offers different features, update schedules, and user experiences. The firmware ecosystem is very active with regular updates.
What it is: ArkOS is a Linux distribution using Emulation Station as the front-end and RetroArch for most emulators. It's the default firmware on genuine R36S units.
Pros:
Cons:
When to choose it: Best for users who want the most stable, well-documented firmware with the largest community support.
What it is: A ready-to-flash ArkOS image specifically configured for the R36S, maintained by community member AeolusUX on GitHub.
Pros:
Cons:
When to choose it: Ideal for beginners who want ArkOS without the complexity of manually replacing .dtb files.
What it is: A continuation of the JELOS project after developers forked it. Rocknix uses Emulation Station with integrated configuration options accessible from the Start button.
Pros:
Cons:
When to choose it: Best for users who want a more streamlined configuration experience and prefer integrated settings over RetroArch's complex menus.
What it is: An older custom firmware similar to ArkOS but with a more user-friendly emulator selection system.
Pros:
Cons:
When to choose it: Only if you have an existing setup and don't want to migrate, or if you prefer its specific UI. New users should choose Rocknix instead.
What it is: Custom firmware ported from Anbernic RG351 devices.
Pros:
Cons:
When to choose it: Only for advanced users who specifically want its unique features and are comfortable with manual configuration.
Quick reference table to help you choose the right firmware for your needs:
| Feature | Stock ArkOS | Community ArkOS ✅ | Rocknix | JELOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner Friendly | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Active Development | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (outdated) |
| Community Support | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Panel Picker Mode | No | ✅ Yes | No | No |
| Ease of Configuration | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Requires .dtb Replacement | ⚠️ Yes | ✅ No | No | ⚠️ Yes |
| Performance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Recommendation | Good | Best for New Users | Best for Config | Not Recommended |
New to R36S? Start with Community ArkOS for the easiest setup experience.
Want easier configuration? Choose Rocknix for integrated settings and simplified emulator management.
Need maximum community support? Stick with Stock ArkOS - it has the largest user base and most documentation.
Before making any changes, back up the entire stock micro-SD card to your computer. Pay special attention to the BOOT partition, which contains critical device-tree files (usually named rk3326-r35s-linux.dtb or rk3326-rg351mp-linux.dtb). If the stock card is corrupted or lost, these files can be downloaded from the community, but backing up is safer.
Insert your new micro-SD card into your computer's card reader. Use a flashing tool to write the downloaded image:
This step is only necessary for official ArkOS. Community builds and Rocknix typically include the correct files.
.dtb file (usually rk3326-rg351mp-linux.dtb)Common .dtb files for R36S:
rk3326-r35s-linux.dtb (works for many units)rk3326-rg351mp-linux.dtb (standard for ArkOS RG351MP builds)Once booted:
A dual-card configuration separates the operating system from your game library:
TF1/TF-OS Slot (system card): 16–32 GB card with firmware
TF2/TF-GAME Slot (ROM card): 64–256 GB card for games
Benefits:
Different games may perform better with different emulator cores. To change the core:
Per-System:
Per-Game:
RetroArch hotkeys can be fully customized:
Default R36S hotkeys (using FN as the hotkey button):
Emulation Station supports custom themes to change the appearance of the menu system:
themes directory on your SD cardPopular themes include Carbon, Epic Noir, Art Book, and numerous custom community creations.
PortMaster is a tool that allows you to run native PC game ports on the R36S:
Supported ports include:
Now that you understand firmware options, here's what to do next:
Step-by-step first-time setup instructions after installing firmware
Read Guide →Can't decide between firmware options? Detailed side-by-side comparison of features, stability, and compatibility
Read Comparison →Which SD card to buy, what size you need, and how to prepare it correctly for your firmware
Read Guide →Get perfect PlayStation 1 performance — best cores, ROM formats, and settings
Read Guide →Make Nintendo 64 games run smoothly with the right core and performance tweaks
Read Guide →Full system compatibility chart — what runs perfectly, what's playable, and what to skip
Read Guide →Master RetroArch settings, core overrides, and advanced customization
Read Guide →Fix common boot issues, display problems, and firmware installation errors
Read Guide →Having trouble with firmware installation? Check our Troubleshooting Guide or reach out:
Email: abc@r36s.org