The world of handheld gaming has been revolutionized with the advent of devices like the Retroid Pocket. This gadget revamps your classic gaming experience by offering the potential to play the old-school classics, alongside new-generation games. However, to unlock its full potential, there often arises the need to customize its firmware. Here’s your step-by-step guide to Retroid Pocket custom firmware installation.
Preparations Before Installation:
Before diving into the installation anywhere, it is essential to take a few precautionary steps.
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Backup Your Data: Customize your firmware can sometimes lead to data loss. Therefore, it is crucial to back up any important files.
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Acquire the Necessary Tools: For this process, you will need a verified FAT32 MicroSD card above 16GB, a MicroSD card reader (if your PC does not have a slot), and your Retroid Pocket device.
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Download the Relevant Software: Download and install Win32 Disk Imager or BalenaEtcher in your PC.
Step 1: Download The Custom Firmware:
Begin the process by getting the custom firmware files.
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Visit the official website for custom firmware known as the Retroid Handhelds Discord Server. On the server, you can find several resources, including the links to the custom firmware.
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Download the ‘RetroidOS’ custom firmware file. Remember to ensure its compatibility with your device and its system requirements before downloading.
Step 2: Extract The Firmware Files:
Once downloaded, the custom firmware file will be in a zipped format. You need to extract these files using any file extraction program like 7-Zip or WinRAR.
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Navigate to the downloaded file on your PC.
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Right-click on the file and choose ‘Extract Here.’ The files will be unzipped into a new folder under the same directory
Step 3: Write The Firmware to MicroSD Card:
The extracted firmware files need to be transferred on to the MicroSD card. To accomplish this, follow the steps below:
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Insert your MicroSD card into your PC using a card reader.
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Open the earlier installed Win32 Disk Imager or BalenaEtcher.
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In the application, select the custom firmware image file you extracted.
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Make sure the correct drive for your MicroSD card is selected to avoid data loss on other drives.
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Click on ‘Write’ and wait for the process to complete. Once done, eject the MicroSD card from your PC.
Step 4: Install The Firmware on Retroid Pocket:
After the firmware files are successfully transferred, it’s time to install them onto your Retroid Pocket.
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Turn off your Retroid Pocket.
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Replace the current SD card with the newly flashed MicroSD card.
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Power on your Retroid Pocket. It will boot up the custom firmware installation process automatically.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation process. Do not switch off the device during the installation to avoid any failure or damage.
Step 5: Setting Up The Retroid Handheld:
After the custom firmware is installed and the device has rebooted:
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Choose your preferred language and proceed.
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Set up your WI-Fi by selecting the Wi-Fi icon and connecting to your network.
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Keep the system updated by tapping on the settings icon and selecting ‘Online Update.’
The installation process is now complete. You can explore different game emulators or install new ones based on your preference.
Step 6: Transferring ROMs to Retroid Pocket:
Game ROMs are another integral part not to be missed. They can be transferred to your Retroid Pocket.
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Connect your Retroid Pocket to your PC using a USB-C cable and select ‘File Transfer’ mode on the device.
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Identify your game ROMs stored on your PC and copy them.
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Paste these ROMs into the appropriate folder of your Retroid Pocket’s MicroSD card. Rename these folders as per your convenience.
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Safely eject the device from the PC after successful transmission.
Lastly, you should regularly update the custom firmware for an enhanced experience. You can do this by accessing the ‘Online Update’ in the settings menu of your Retroid Handheld. Start gaming with personalized features and settings, all with the help of custom firmware.
It’s important to note that while custom firmware installation enhances your Retroid Pocket experience, any improper or incorrect step may lead to system failures or void warranties. So, adhere closely to this guide for successful installation. Happy gaming!
