R36S Clones: Difference between revisions
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First spotted: 08 / 2024 | First spotted: 08 / 2024 | ||
== Why clones are bad == | == Why clones are bad == | ||
Revision as of 16:49, 11 December 2025
EmuELEC Clones
First spotted: 08 / 2024
Why clones are bad
- Most clone firmware versions still have problems with a dual SD card setup
- Lots of reports about audio output issues and inverted controls
- There are clones with lesser ram - 512MB instead of 1GB
- There are clones with the weaker RK3128 chip instead of RK3326
- There are clones with completely different internals (even weaker than RK3128) and absolutely no custom firmware support
- Lots of people struggling to get the G80 mainboard clones working with custom firmware
- If you lost your SD card, you need to try up to 10 different screen panel files (dtb)
- No compatibility with AmberELEC/PAN4ELEC, LineageOS (Android), Multiboot, Ambian
- Worse hardware parts are used on some clone models (Worse screen and brightness, louder shoulder buttons + they are very loose, louder L3/R3, Power and volume buttons are harder to press)
Image gallery
-
Image by L31x9H from Discord #gameconsole_r36s_etc - Note: some clones have the same board as the original R36S version -
highlighted RAM chips -
KMQNW000SM-B316 - Source: Reddit -
CLONE WITH 2 RAM CHIPS - G80D-MB V1.0-20250609 vs standard R36S-V21 2024-12-18 mainboards -
KMQNW000SM-B316 - Source: Reddit -
"Sticker Clone" - KMQ7X000SA-B315 - Source: Discord -
KMQ7X000SA-B315 - Source: Discord -
"Sticker Clone" - KMQ72000SM-B316 - Source: Reddit -
KMQ72000SM-B316 - Source: Reddit -
KMQD60013M-B318 - Source: Reddit -
Clone with 2 ram chips - Source: Discord - RF35XE-MB V1.1_20240508 - K36 has the internal name of "RF3500KG" -
BOOT partition of one of the R36S EmuELEC clones -
Image by Striike from Discord #gameconsole_r36s_etc (Retro Handhelds) - zoomed in on the crooked X button -
BOOT partition of one of the R36S EmuELEC clones - Image by Send_it_96 from reddit -
Looks like a normal R36S but it's a clone - Image by FiveMileDammit from reddit -
Almost no options in the menu - Image by FiveMileDammit from reddit -
One of the clone variants - "ArkOS 2.0 (release date)" loading message is missing during boot, God of War logo during boot sequence, EPIC-CODY is standard theme - (video at discord) -
EMUELEC ES V4.7 - source -
-
-
You can see through the plastic that it has only 1 RAM chip - source -
Charging animation when the device is turned off - source -
slightly different bootlogo (left=real r36s - right=emuelec clone) - source -
EmuELEC clone boot logo differences: Font, additional "PLEASE WAIT LOADING..." text, brownish background, slightly squeezed image -
Button and dpad differences - More info at this reddit thread -
R36S EmuELEC clone with RK3128 - source
.jpeg)
Teardown Gallery
- Here's Teardown of one of the EmuELEC clone variants with one RAM chip (by andreyq123): https://postimg.cc/gallery/HkVBDgG
Common problems
The stock SD card is as bad as on a regular R36S and tends to corrupt very fast.
Error Message During Boot - Can't find any sytems
Solution: Install one of the available custom firmwares to a new SD card, or follow the video guide below.
Stuck During Boot
Solution: Install one of the available custom firmwares to a new SD card.
Red blinking light during boot
This happens when you install the standard (or community maintained) ArkOS custom firmware on a clone.
Solution: Install/flash one of the clone specific custom firmware from below.
Custom Firmware for the EmuELEC Clone
-
Image by Slowpokefarm - R36S EmuELEC clone running the Kinhank K36 firmware -
Image by mattRlive - K36 running ArkOS firmware
ArkOS4clone
| ArkOS4Clone | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| ||
| Description | New Community Maintained Image of ArkOS for the K36 Console and Similar Clones | |
| Latest version | 
| |
| Download Link | ⬇️ GitHub | |
| Info | Based on the ArkOS R3XS community maintained firmware. | |
| Supported Devices |
| |
ArkOS K36
Development has been stopped for this project on August 25, 2025
| ArkOS K36 | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Description | Community Maintained Image of ArkOS for the K36 Console and Similar Clones (R36S Clone, K36, R36 Pro, R36 Max, U8 Handheld, RX6H) release by AeolusUX |
| Latest version | 
|
| Download Link | ⬇️ GitHub |
| Info | Check the reddit thread and the release notes on GitHub for the latest info. - a 2 SD card setup is not recommended! |
| ▶ Setup Guide | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Black Screen / No Sound Fix / dtb Files | |
|---|---|
| Description | You need to change these files on your SD card's BOOT partition if you have problems after flashing custom firmware. If you have no sound, go to Ports and click on "audio fix permanent". |
| Try each of these one after another | ⬇️ Device Tree Files Repository for the K36 and similar clones |
| Alternative sound fix (just use the one with the name of your dtb file) | ⬇️ Download |
ROCKNIX
Official ROCKNIX is now working on these clones. Use the "b" version from the download page.
| ROCKNIX | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Description | Official ROCKNIX is now working on these clones. Use the "b" version from the download page. |
| Download Link | Tool to patch the stock dtb file |
| Filename / Info | Use the "B" version from the nightly release page (ROCKNIX-RK3326.aarch64-20250430-b.img.gz) and edit your dtb file with the tool - ROCKNIX Wiki |
UnofficialOS
| UnofficialOS | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Description | UnofficialOS for the R36S clone. |
| Download Link | ⬇️ GitHub |
| Filename / Info | Clone and R3xS Instructions |
RetrOS
| RetrOS | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Description | Hybrid custom firmware for R36S clones. |
| Download Links | ⬇️ RetrOS @ GitHub - ⬇️ MEGA |
| Filename / Info | RetrOS-preview1.img – early development build |
EmuELEC
Original and modified K36 EmuELEC firmware images. Most of these custom firmwares run a little slower and have limited options compared to ArkOS or AmberELEC.
| EmuELEC 4.8 Beta (Modified by trananhquan) | |
|---|---|
| Description | Modified EmuELEC 4.8 Beta Firmware for R36S Clone |
| Download Links | Google Drive |
| Filename / Info | EmuELEC-R36SClone.aarch64-4.8-TEST-04212024-chi.img.gz – Updated RetroArch cores, Ethernet adapter support, Portmaster working
|
| K36S Stock Firmware (Modified by AeolusUX) | |
|---|---|
| Description | Stock EmuELEC 4.7 firmware for K36S, includes unlocked EmulationStation options and working FN button |
| Download Links | Google Drive |
| Filename / Info | EmuELEC-RF3500KG.aarch64-4.7-K36.20240823143713_EXPAND_EEROMS.img.xz – Expand EEROMS partition manually
|
| K36S Unlocked Stock Firmware | |
|---|---|
| Description | K36S EmuELEC 4.7 with unlocked EmulationStation options |
| Download Links | Google Drive |
| Filename / Info | HuaKeWei_RF3500KG_K36_ZED2024050006_EE4.7_Rlease_20240823.img.gz
|
| K36 Stock Firmware | |
|---|---|
| Description | Basic stock EmuELEC image for K36 |
| Download Links | Google Drive |
| Filename / Info | K36-Stock-EmuELEC.img.xz
|
| R36S/K36 EmuELEC clone dtb files | |
|---|---|
| Description | Device Tree file for R36S-based handhelds |
| Download Link Version 1 | Google Drive – MediaFire |
| Download Link version 2 | MediaFire |
| Filename / Info | rk3326-evb-lp3-v12-linux.dtb
|
| Mount TF2 roms SD card on the EmuELEC Clone | |
|---|---|
| Description | If you have problems with getting roms to show from the 2nd SD card follow the steps in this video (thanks to dandaman73).
|
| How to mount the TF2 card properly | |
Other
There are also modified UnofficialOS and AmberELEC Firmware versions available that can boot up the device, but have a few issues like no sound, general unstability and are Not recommended! to use. Source: KinHank K36 discord thread
| UnofficialOS Firmware (with EmuELEC kernel) | |
|---|---|
| Description |
UnofficialOS image built on EmuELEC kernel.
Not recommended!
|
| Download Link | |
| AmberELEC Firmware (with EmuELEC kernel) | |
|---|---|
| Description |
Standard AmberELEC image using EmuELEC kernel.
Not recommended!
|
| Download Link | |
| AmberELEC Pre-Release (with EmuELEC kernel) | |
|---|---|
| Description |
Pre-release version of AmberELEC on EmuELEC kernel. Not recommended!
|
| Download Link | |
ArkOS R36MAX / R36PRO
| ArkOS R36MAX / R36PRO | |
|---|---|
| Description | ArkOS version for the R36MAX / R36PRO |
| Download Link | ⬇️ Google Drive - outdated |
| More info | S0945_RF3536K4KA_YP2024110012_R36MAX_202411131854_ArkOS.img.gz - Source - outdated
|
Known Manufacturers/Distributors
User manual
This manual has been found on multiple temu listings. They even added "K36" to the device type info.
Link to full manual in lots of different languages: File:R36S-K36 clone user manual from temu.pdf
512MB RAM Clone
Temu clones often come with internal storage and one ram chip. These devices typically have 512Mb of ram and a 512Mb swap partition on the MMC. The MMC is 4Gb in size.
-
partition layout showing 512Mb swap
G80C mainboard
G80C-MB V1.1-20250319
First spotted: 05 / 2025
EmuELEC clone without eMMC storage. These should work with the Panel 8 dtb files.
G80CA-MB V1.2-20250422
First spotted: 05 / 2025
EmuELEC clone without eMMC storage. These should work with the Panel 8 or Panel 9 dtb files. (alternative download link)
G80CA-MB V1.2-20250423
First spotted: 08 / 2025
Clones with 2 RAM Chips
G80D-MB V1.0-20250609
First spotted: 07 / 2025
This is a clone with 2 RAM chips. ArkOS K36 works with the files of the Display Panel 10 version. Display Panel 5 could also work but with audio issues.
If your device works with Panel 10 files and your sleep mode is broken, try ⬇️these files. Hotkeys still don't work in N64 standalone emulators (September 5, 2025).
Known sellers:
- SUPER FUN GAME Store
- Shop1104202276 Store
Differences compared to a standard R36S
- Worse screen brightness
- Shoulder buttons are very loose (very noticable rattling while moving the device)
- Shoulder buttons are even louder than standard R36S
- L3/R3 louder than standard R36S
- Power and volume buttons are harder to press
- Smaller screw holes
- No BOOT partition (stock SD card)
- boot folder is on the EASYROMS partition (stock SD card)
- Controls in file manager are messed up. Select and start are up and down. dpad and joystick not working. (stock SD card)
- Wifi not working with dongle (stock SD card)
- No WiFi interference sound crackling (ArkOS K36)
- Up and down on the right joystick is inverted (ArkOS K36)
Boot folder content: https://discord.com/channels/741895796315914271/1344470041986596935/1400903882816622612
2 RAM Chip Clone R36S-V12
First spotted: 08 / 2025
This is another clone with 2 RAM chips. ArkOS K36 works with Panel 5 files, but has no sound. 14/11/25 update: "ArkOS_K36_v2.0_08112025.img" with Panel 8 files works perfectly (Look for Panel 8 files on Reddit, they are not delivered into the official release dmg). Sound working perfectly using the speaker. jack 3.5 sound is messed up, but working perfectly with USB-C headphones/adapter (Plug them in before booting to assure the sound driver is launched). Very good sound quality, worths buying an adapter.
Known sellers:
- SUPER FUN GAME Store
Differences compared to a standard R36S
- Some comes with a KIOXIA SD card
- No BOOT partition (stock SD card).
boot folder is on the EASYROMS partition (stock SD card).No boot folder in EASYROMS partition. Just two weird .sys configuration files. Panel 8 files working perfectly for ArkOS.- Big red omega logo in booting, plus GameBoy ASCII art when launching a game.
- Controls in file manager are messed up. Select and start are up and down. dpad and joystick not working. (stock SD card)
R36S-V20 2025-05-18
First spotted: 09 / 2025
Single RAM chip clone. Most of them only show 719mb of RAM in the RetroArch settings. There are also R36S-V20 2025-05-18 versions with 1GB of RAM which show 985mb of RAM in the RetroArch settings.
New LPDDR3 clone — this is most likely a re-marked Nanya NT6CL256M32-H1* LPDDR3. The ridiculous part is that ArkOS only reports 719 MB.
R36S-Power-MB 01 - 060625
First spotted: 10 / 2025
Works with Panel 8 files according to this reddit thread.
Gaminja Batocera Clones
First spotted: 11 / 2025
Known differences:
- Different chip (probably Allwinner A33)
- Different GPU
- Runs some kind of Batocera version (backup available here: reddit)
- Only 512MB RAM
- No custom firmware support as of December 2024
- Multiple mainboard versions?
GB350 Clones
R36S V2.5
First spotted: 04 / 2025
There is no known custom firmware for the "R36S V2.5" as of December, 2025.
It's a gb350 clone. It uses the same OS as the g350 and sf3000. So my guess is it uses the same soc as the sf3000.
https://www.reddit.com/r/R36S/comments/1kbpz9y/comment/mtqo15i/?context=3
-
Same OS as the SF3000 and GB350 - image source -
"Please Insert TF Card" message - image source
Known differences:
- No visible RAM chips
- Different SoC chip (weaker)
- NANYA NT5CB128M16HP-DI 2Gb (256MB) RAM chip
- Maybe unsoldered mini-hdmi port?
- TF2-GAME Micro SD card port exists but not working
- Runs same OS as the GB350 and SF3000
https://github.com/game-de-it/testrepo/releases/tag/SF3000_StockOS
R36S V2.6
First spotted: 07 / 2025
Another GB350 clone. Same as the R36S V2.5.
R36S-V2.6(0712)
This version has a rotated chip.
.webp)
R36HD
First spotted: 06 / 2025
R36HD seems to be another "R36S-like" device with GB350-like hardware/software - this one has a differently shaped d-pad and HDMI output so it's more obviously different from the standard R36S
More info aboit the R36HD:
R36HD 2nd version / M18 / M37 Pro
First spotted: 06 / 2025
Sold as R36HD, M18 or M37 Pro on aliexpress. Also called R46s in some listings.
Another device with the GB350 internals according to videos and photos found on youtube and reddit.
Standard ArkOS Compatible Clones
R36S Clone #1 (R35S+ or R36S+)
This is a "good" clone version. It can run the standard ArkOS version. Compared to the EmuELEC clone, this type is very rare.
First spotted: 06 / 2024
Update 09 / 2024: Not available anymore
Backlabel is R35S+ or R36S+
Known differences:
- The holes around the joysticks are smaller
- Labels on the buttons are thinner
- Different joysticks
- Original screen version
- The buttons feel different
- Some have a green LED light instead of blue
Sources:
It's unclear where/how those clones are sold. If you look at "R36S" listings on aliexpress, and check the review pics, you can spot a few of these clones there. These clones are also found in the reviews from 3C MOKER Store (July 2024).
-
-
-
holes around the joysticks -
Labels on the buttons -
-
green LED
No TF2 roms card slot Clone
This is a "good" clone version. It can run the standard ArkOS version. Compared to the EmuELEC clone, this type is very rare.
First spotted: 10 / 2024
Known differences:
- no TF2 roms card slot
- no removeable battery cover
- no label on the back buttons
- color on the front buttons missing
- latest ArkOS is working fine
Round D-pad Clone
This is a "good" clone version. It can run the standard ArkOS version. Compared to the EmuELEC clone, this type is very rare.
First spotted: 12 / 2024
Known differences:
- Rounded D-pad
- New box with an Assassins Creed image
- No indentation for the letters in the face buttons
Sources:
- https://discord.com/channels/741895796315914271/1185499524257558600/1329310414827163668
- https://discord.com/channels/741895796315914271/1185499524257558600/1318782149767331840
Unknown
Not enough info about these.
Y3506_V04_20250529
First spotted: 08 / 2025
Single RAM chip "Soy Sauce" R36S.
According to this thread it's working with the standard ArkOS and Panel 6 files.
Avoid buying a clone
Check the R36S Buying Guide for
- links to the cheapest listings
- trusted sellers
- general AliExpress advice/tips
- cheap accessories
- similar and better handhelds
Other Projects at the Handhelds Wiki
