R36S Custom Firmware: Difference between revisions

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== dArkOSen ==
== dArkOSen ==
A next-generation community firmware for the R36S family, developed as the successor to dArkOSRE. Designed to unify support for original R36S devices and compatible clones while adding modern features, improved hardware compatibility, enhanced customization, and better system management.  
A next-generation community firmware for the R36S family, developed as the successor to dArkOSRE. Designed to unify support for original R36S devices while adding modern features, improved hardware compatibility, enhanced customization, and better system management.  


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! style="background:#ecf0f1; padding:10px;" | Description
! style="background:#ecf0f1; padding:10px;" | Description
| style="padding:10px;" | The replacement for dArkOSRE with a focus on modern hardware support, unified compatibility across original R36S hardware and supported clones, improved performance, enhanced customization, updated packages, and developer-friendly features.
| style="padding:10px;" | The replacement for dArkOSRE with a focus on modern hardware support, unified compatibility across original R36S hardware, improved performance, enhanced customization, updated packages, and developer-friendly features.
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! style="background:#ecf0f1; padding:10px;" | Documentation / Wiki
! style="background:#ecf0f1; padding:10px;" | Documentation / Wiki
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Genuine R36S devices
'''Genuine R36S devices:'''
* R36S V12 — Panel 0
* R36S V12 — Panel 0
* R36S V12 — Panel 4
* R36S V12 — Panel 4
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* R36XX V21
* R36XX V21


R36S Plus
R36S '''Plus''':
R36S Plus V20 — 2025-03-18 variants
R36S Plus V20 — 2025-03-18 variants


R36H/R45H
'''R36H / R45H / R46H / R36H ProMax:'''
* HL-R36H V20 — 2024-05-18
* HL-R36H V20 — 2024-05-18
* HL-R45H V20 — 2025-11-18
* HL-R45H V20 — 2025-11-18
Clone R36S devices
* G80C-MB V1.1 — 2025-03-19 Panel 8
* G80C-MB V1.1 — 2025-03-19 Panel 9
* G80CA-MB V1.2 — 2025-04-22 Panel 8
* G80CA-MB V1.2 — 2025-04-22 Panel 9
* G80CA-MB V1.2 — 2025-04-23 Panel 8
* G80CA-MB V1.2 — 2025-04-23 Panel 9
* G80CA-MB V1.3 — 2025-12-12 variants
Soysauce R36S devices
* Y3506 V03 — 2024-11-04
* Y3506 V03 — 2025-03-17
* Y3506 V04 — 2025-05-29 — 2548
* Y3506 V05 — 2025-12-15 — 2551
* Y3506 V05 — 2025-12-15 — 2601
* Y3506 V03 — 2024-12-10


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* Replacement for dArkOSRE
* Replacement for dArkOSRE
* Unified support for original R36S and compatible clones
* Unified support for original R36S
* Improved hardware compatibility
* Improved hardware compatibility
* Updated Linux packages
* Updated Linux packages

Revision as of 08:32, 10 August 2026

ℹ️
Info
Refer to the Guides section or the provided links below for help with installing / flashing these firmwares.
ℹ️
Info
The recommended firmwares with the best community support are dArkOSen, dArkOSRE and (d)arkos4clone. Some users also like to run PAN4ELEC, ROCKNIX or Arch R.

StockOS

StockOS

StockOS Image

Description The R36S is shipped with different versions of ArkOS. Some resellers even have their own boot logo. Not recommended to use.
❌ Cons
  • Outdated
  • Missing features
  • Possible corrupted files because of bad SD card quality

dArkOSen

A next-generation community firmware for the R36S family, developed as the successor to dArkOSRE. Designed to unify support for original R36S devices while adding modern features, improved hardware compatibility, enhanced customization, and better system management.

dArkOSen

dArkOSen Logo

Latest version dArkOSen-R36S.png
Download ⬇️ GitHub Release
Description The replacement for dArkOSRE with a focus on modern hardware support, unified compatibility across original R36S hardware, improved performance, enhanced customization, updated packages, and developer-friendly features.
Documentation / Wiki GitHub Repository
Changelog Release Notes
Hotkeys Same ArkOS global and emulator hotkeys with additional dArkOSen enhancements.
Officially supported devices

Devices list (click to expand)

Genuine R36S devices:

  • R36S V12 — Panel 0
  • R36S V12 — Panel 4
  • R36S V21 — 2550
  • R36S V21 — 2552
  • R36S V22 — 2534
  • R36S V22 — standard variant
  • R36S Y02
  • R36XX V21

R36S Plus: R36S Plus V20 — 2025-03-18 variants

R36H / R45H / R46H / R36H ProMax:

  • HL-R36H V20 — 2024-05-18
  • HL-R45H V20 — 2025-11-18
✅ Pros
  • Replacement for dArkOSRE
  • Unified support for original R36S
  • Improved hardware compatibility
  • Updated Linux packages
  • Better emulator defaults
  • Enhanced EmulationStation experience
  • More customization options
  • Improved performance tuning
  • Root access available
  • USB Gadget support
  • Better OTA update framework
  • Active community development
❌ Cons
  • Active development means occasional regressions may occur
  • Some features are still being expanded
  • Documentation is still growing

dArkOSRE

A new dArkOS fork with added features and support for multiple R36S versions. The new recommended firmware by the R36S community. Use this if your device is supported.

dArkOSRE
dArkOSRE Logo
Latest version dArkOS-G80CA-RE.png
Download ⬇️ GitHub
Documentation / FAQ dArkOSRE Wiki & Setup Guide
Hotkeys RetroArch Hotkeys
Officially Supported Devices
Devices list (click to expand)

Clone R36S devices:

  • G80C-MB V1.1-20250319 Panel 8
  • G80C-MB V1.1-20250319 Panel 9
  • G80CA-MB V1.2-20250422 Panel 8
  • G80CA-MB V1.2-20250422 Panel 9
  • G80CA-MB V1.2-20250423 Panel 8
  • G80CA-MB V1.2-20250423 Panel 9
  • G80CA-MB V1.3-20251212 Panel 8
  • R36S-V12 2023-08-18 Variant 1 with EMMC and AMP
  • R36S-V12 2023-08-18 Variant 2
  • R36S-V12 2023-08-18 Variant 3

Genuine R36S devices:

  • R36S-V21 2024-12-18
  • R36XX-V21 2024-12-18

Soysauce R36S devices:

  • Y3506_V04_20250529
  • Y3506_V05_20251215 2551
  • Y3506_V05_20251215 2601

arkos4clone

ArkOS adapted for lots of different devices in the R36S and clones family.

arkos4clone (ArkOS for clones)
arkos4clone
Latest version arkos4clone.png
Download ⬇️ GitHub Releases
Documentation / FAQ Github readme
Info Based on the ArkOS R3XS community maintained firmware.
Officially Supported Devices
Devices list (click to expand)

dArkOS4Clone

A customized fork of arkos4clone focused on improved compatibility, enhanced features, and additional optimizations for the R36S family and supported clone devices.

dArkOS4Clone

dArkOS4Clone Logo

Latest version arkos4clone.png
Download ⬇️ GitHub Release
Description A feature-rich arkos4clone-based firmware with improved hardware compatibility, updated emulator packages, enhanced customization, and support for a wide range of R36S clone devices.
Documentation / Wiki GitHub Repository
Changelog Release Notes
Hotkeys Same ArkOS global and emulator hotkeys.
✅ Pros
  • Wide compatibility with R36S clones
  • Based on arkos4clone
  • Improved hardware detection
  • Updated Linux packages
  • Better emulator defaults
  • Enhanced customization
  • Good performance
  • Frequent updates
  • Active community support
❌ Cons
  • Beta release
  • Some hardware may require additional testing
  • Documentation is still evolving

Custom Firmware for the EmuELEC Clone

Custom Firmware for EmuELEC Clone Devices

Custom Firmware for EmuELEC Clone

Description Some R36S clones do not support the standard ArkOS or AmberELEC custom firmware.


For more information and download links, please refer to the R36S Clones section.

↪ Custom Firmware for the EmuELEC Clone

ArkOS R3XS

ArkOS Community Maintained Image for the R36S

ArkOS R36S Image

Latest version ArkOS-R3XS.png
Download ⬇️ GitHub Releases
Additional steps to get it working Follow the "Panel Picker" steps in the GitHub Releases page. If your R36S has Panel 4 it should work out of the box without additional steps.
Older Versions ⬇️ Old Releases on Mega
Wiki / Documentation / FAQ / How-To ArkOS Wiki


FAQ for RG351MP

Changelogs (includes instructions for added features) R3XS Changelog & Features Update
ArkOS Screenshots / Options / Tools R36S ArkOS Screenshot Gallery
Hotkeys Global & Emulator Event Keys
✅ Pros
  • R36S optimized ArkOS version
  • Very good performance
  • Lots of features
  • Frequent updates
  • Great customization options
  • Fast boot time (~16 seconds)
❌ Cons
  • Overlays need to be manually enabled

MyMinUI

MyMinUI for the R36S

MyMinUI on R36S

Latest version MyMinUI.png
Download / Instructions ⬇️ GitHub Download & Instructions
Description A simple alternative to EmulationStation (used in ArkOS).

It installs on top of ArkOS and can easily be disabled if you prefer to return to EmulationStation. Instructions are included in the download. Works only on ArkOS devices.

✅ Pros
  • Very minimalistic
  • Easy to install on top of ArkOS
  • Easy to switch back to ArkOS
❌ Cons
  • Lots of missing features
  • Different ROM folder path

AmberELEC

AmberELEC

AmberELEC Logo

Latest version AmberELEC-pre-release-badge.png
Download ⬇️ GitHub Pre-release Downloads
Additional steps to get it working Try the different files from here: ⬇️ screen specific dtb files
Documentation / FAQ Getting Started Guide


FAQ Page

Hotkeys Controls & Hotkeys Reference
✅ Pros
  • Very good performance
  • Lots of features
  • Overlays are enabled by default
  • Newer EmulationStation
  • Better theme support
  • Most emulator settings can be changed in EmulationStation
❌ Cons
  • No official support for newer screen panels
  • Slower update cycle
  • FN button not mapped for hotkeys
  • Slower boot time (~25 seconds)
  • No easy way to change boot logo and loading screen

PAN4ELEC

PAN4ELEC (Custom AmberELEC for Panel 4 Devices)

PAN4ELEC Logo

Description Unofficial AmberELEC build by KEgg for the most recent Panel 4 (V5) devices.

Includes additional features and general usability improvements.

Latest version P4ELEC.png
Download ⬇️ GitHub Releases
Documentation / FAQ Reddit Announcement & Guide
✅ Pros
  • R36S optimized AmberELEC version
  • Very good performance
  • Lots of features
  • Overlays are enabled by default
  • Newer EmulationStation version
  • Great standard theme with lots of options
  • Better theme support
  • Most emulator settings can be changed in EmulationStation
❌ Cons
  • Only Screen Panel 4 is supported officially
  • Slower boot time (~25 seconds)
  • No easy way to change boot logo and loading screen

Additional info

ssh login = root

ssh password = pan4elec

syncthing login = root

syncthing password = amberelec

DTB file for original Panel devices: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/pwc8gbedfzgce/PAN4ELEC_dtb_for_OG_panel (for devices with the R36S-V12_2023-08-18 mainboard)

ArkOS

ArkOS for the R36S
ArkOS Logo
Latest version arkos.png (use the RG351MP version)
Download ⬇️ Official GitHub Download Page

⬇️ Reddit Announcement & Download Info

Additional steps to get it working Try the different files from here: ⬇️ screen specific dtb files
Documentation / FAQ ArkOS Wiki & Setup Guide
Hotkeys Global & Emulator Hotkeys

ROCKNIX

ROCKNIX
ROCKNIX Logo
Latest version distribution.png
Download ⬇️ GitHub
Documentation / FAQ ROCKNIX Wiki & Setup Guide
Hotkeys Check device specific pages
Officially Supported Devices
Devices list (click to expand)



UnofficialOS

UnofficialOS for the R36S
UnofficialOS Logo
Latest version UnofficialOS.png
Download ⬇️ GitHub Releases
Additional steps to get it working Follow the instructions on the UnofficialOS Wiki
Documentation / FAQ View the Wiki

R36S Multiboot

R36S Multiboot
Latest version R36S-Multiboot.png
Description AmberELEC, ArkOS, PAN4ELEC, ROCKNIX, UnofficialOS, Andr36oid and Armbian Linux in one image. You can choose the OS versions you want to be included.
Download ⬇️ GitHub Releases
Documentation / FAQ GitHub

AndR36oid (LineageOS 18.1)

AndR36oid
AndR36oid Boot Logo
Latest version releases.png
Download ⬇️ GitHub
Documentation / FAQ AndR36oid release notes
Officially Supported Devices
Devices list (click to expand)


dtb files / sound fix: BATLEXP G350 Panel 5 sound fix (thanks to S1eepy from discord)

Lakka

Lakka on the R36S
Lakka Logo
Description Outdated / lightweight Linux distribution with the RetroArch interface.

Booting directly into RetroArch is also possible on ArkOS (see FAQ).

Download ⬇️ Download from Lakka.tv
Documentation / FAQ Lakka Docs and FAQ

cHAos multi panel R3xS

cHAos Multi Panel R3xS
cHAos Multi Panel Logo
Description Debug image that supports three different display panels.

It is a fork of AmberELEC.

Download ⬇️ GitHub Releases
Documentation / FAQ AmberELEC Getting Started Guide

Xorg

Xorg on the R36S
Xorg Logo
Description XFCE, LXDE, and LXQT Desktop Environment for the R36S
Latest version R36S-Xorg.png
Download ⬇️ GitHub Releases
Documentation / FAQ View the Wiki
Video Guide
Load video
YouTube

Gentoo

Gentoo for the R36S
Gentoo Video Thumbnail
How-To Gentoo for R36S Status Update & How-To

muOS

Not released yet The dev has already posted videos on discord (August 12th, 2025)

Firmware and SD Card Test

Old test that compares the boot time and GBA/SNES performance of various firmwares and SD cards. I am too lazy to copy over the site, so here's a link to the old R36S Wiki on GitHub:

https://github.com/manster-zz/R36S-LINKS/wiki/Firmware-and-SD-Card-Test

Retrieved from "https://handhelds.wiki/index.php?title=R36S_Custom_Firmware&oldid=51272"