R36S Guides Tutorials HowTos

🏠︎ R36S WikiR36S OverviewR36S ClonesR36S Buying GuideSetup Guides ‐ Installing FirmwareCustom FirmwareHotkeysCompatibility ListsHow to transfer filesThemesBootlogos and Loading ScreensAdvanced Guides ‐ TutorialsHardware ModificationsProblems and Troubleshooting

Backup your stock SD card

• 

  BOOT partition of a R36S with the original (V1) screen

• 

  BOOT partition of a R36S with the panel 4 (V5) screen

• 

  Different BOOT partition of a R36S with the panel 4 (V5) screen

This is the first step you should take before doing anything with your console. Save the contents of the microSD to your computer.

The 📄rk3326-r35s-linux.dtb or 📄rk3326-rg351mp-linux.dtb from the 📁BOOT partition is the most important file. You're probably going to need this to fix the problems that the 5 different screen / display panel versions often create (black screen issue).

My original SD card got corrupted before I could make a backup

R36S-Device Tree Blob - dtb files at GitHub

New dtb files for AmberELEC

Panel 4 (V5) AmberELEC sound + FN button fix

I don't have rk3326-r35s-linux.dtb on my SD card

If you have a 📁EELEC partition or your files are 📄rk3326-evb-lp3-v12-linux.dtb or 📄rf3536k3ka.dtb, you got the EmuELEC Clone that is not compatible with standard ArkOS/AmberELEC.

Change the stock SD card

⚠️

Warning

The stock microSD cards (those that get shipped with the device) cause a lot of problems and can get corrupted/defect any time. They are very cheap quality and unreliable. Change them as soon as possible. Please refer to the SD card section. Remember, SD cards will NOT be compatible with the R36S without an adapter. SD cards are not the same as microSD cards.

Read the FAQ on the r/R36S subreddit

• 

  FAQ on r/R36S @reddit - image by u/spicymeatmemes

https://www.reddit.com/r/R36S/

Video Guides - Tutorials - How-To's

⚠️

Warning

Only follow these guides after backing up your files and changing the SD card(s).

Install ArkOS

Load video

YouTube

YouTube might collect personal data. Privacy Policy

ContinueDismiss

Install ArkOS on 'clones'

Load video

YouTube

YouTube might collect personal data. Privacy Policy

ContinueDismiss

Older Guides

Some of these are missing crucial steps for installing ArkOS on "Panel 4 devices", but are good guides for setting up emulators etc.

R35S/R36S Ultimate Setup Guide - ArkOS, Roms and BIOS (by Joey's Retro Handhelds)

R36S MASTER Starter Guide (by Javi Play Retro)

R36s guide for beginners in 2024 (by Jacek Rusin)

Install ArkOS using macOS

Load video

YouTube

YouTube might collect personal data. Privacy Policy

ContinueDismiss

Written Guides - Tutorials - How-To's

⚠️

Warning

Only follow these guides after backing up your files and changing the SD card(s).

A guide on getting started with you R36s and more (by AMSanchezC)

R35S/R36S Setup Guide (by Joey's Retro Handhelds)

R36S BASIC CONFIGURATION (by KuvZz)

R3XS Beginners Comprehensive Guide (by AeolusUX)

Flashing/Installation Guide for ArkOS v2.0 (by AeolusUX)

My R36S user manual (by Clitch77)

SPANISH Guia Definitiva De La Consola R36S (by ElVickz)

FRENCH R36S guide/wiki (by Daebis)

R36S Türkiye Topluluğu (by VicettiSun)

Install ArkOS without a PC using Android Devices

Firmware Flashing Guide Using Android (R36S)

🏠︎ R36S WikiR36S OverviewR36S ClonesR36S Buying GuideSetup Guides ‐ Installing FirmwareCustom FirmwareHotkeysCompatibility ListsHow to transfer filesThemesBootlogos and Loading ScreensAdvanced Guides ‐ TutorialsHardware ModificationsProblems and Troubleshooting

   Other Projects at the Handhelds Wiki

BATLEXP G350 Wiki

Anbernic RG40XX H Wiki

R36S Wiki

All Handhelds

Handheld Buying Guide