Set up your Android handheld: unbox to first game

Works for most Android handhelds, like the AYN Odin and Thor, Retroid Pocket and AYANEO Pocket families. Our team uses Odin 3s, so you'll see our own notes along the way. Every step does one thing, and each one says why it matters. Tick the boxes as you go; your progress is saved on this device.

1. 01

   Charge it to full

   Plug in with a good USB-C charger and let it reach 100% before you start.

   Why: Updates can take a while, and a system update should never lose power halfway through.

   Tip

   You can keep going while it charges. Most handhelds work fine plugged in.

2. 02

   Connect to Wi-Fi and sign in to Google

   Go through the setup screens, join your Wi-Fi and sign in with a Google account.

   Why: Most Android handhelds come with the Google Play Store, so a Google account gets you apps and updates.

   More detail

   You can skip the Google account and install apps from official websites instead, but Play Store updates make life much easier for beginners.
3. 03

   Install the system update

   Open Settings and search for update. It's usually under System (names vary, such as System update, OTA or FOTA Update). Download, install and reboot, then check again.

   Why: The first firmware updates usually fix bugs that shipped in the box. Some devices need two updates in a row.

   From our team

   On our Odin 3s it's labelled FOTA Update under Settings → System (on many units; names can differ by firmware, so search Settings if it's missing).

   More detail

   These are OTA updates from your device's maker. Don't install firmware files from random sites. If an update fails, reboot, make sure you're above 50% battery and try again.
4. 04

   Update your apps

   Open the Play Store, tap your profile picture → Manage apps & device → Update all.

   Why: Pre-installed apps are often months old by the time the device reaches you.

5. 05

   Switch to gesture navigation

   Open Settings → System → Gestures / Navigation (or search navigation in Settings) and choose Gesture navigation. ⚑ Menu names may vary by device, firmware and Android skin.

   • Home: swipe up from the bottom edge.
   • Recent apps: swipe up from the bottom and hold for a moment.
   • Back: swipe in from the left or right edge.

   Why: Gestures free up the bottom of the screen and are quicker once you're used to them.

   From our team

   We tried both on our Odin 3s, and gestures won. Bonus: the Odin 3 has a built-in back button on the device, so you can always go back without a gesture. Many handhelds have a similar button, so check yours.

   More detail

   Gestures feel odd for the first few minutes, then become automatic. Changed your mind? Go back to the same menu and pick 3-button navigation.
6. 06

   Set the performance and fan mode

   Most handhelds put these in quick settings (swipe down from the top) or in their own settings app. Start on the normal or balanced mode, with the fan on a quiet or automatic setting.

   Why: This keeps the device cool, quiet and long-lasting for retro and Android games, which is most of what you'll play.

   When to go higher

   Save the highest performance mode (and a stronger fan setting) for demanding Switch or PC games.

   From our team

   On our Odin 3s we use Standard or Performance with the fan on Quiet or Smart, and High Performance with Smart only for heavy Switch games. Exact mode names can differ by firmware.

   More detail

   Higher modes run the chip faster, which means more heat, more fan noise and less battery. Many handhelds have an in-game overlay that shows FPS and temperature, so you can check whether a higher mode actually helps. Mode names vary by brand.
7. 07

   Find the controller-style toggle

   Look in quick settings or the device's settings app for a controller or button-layout option (for example Xbox-style and Nintendo-style).

   Why: Some apps expect A on the bottom, others expect it on the right. If buttons feel swapped in a game, this is the fix.

   If this goes wrong

   Buttons do nothing in an app? Switch controller style and try again, then see Fixes → Controller.

   From our team

   On our AYN devices the tile is right in quick settings. For per-app switching, Odin 3 owners can try the community app Odin3Tools (official GitHub).

8. 08

   Insert and format a microSD card

   Put a fast microSD card (look for A2 or U3 on the label) in the slot, then format it as portable storage when Android asks, or in Settings → Storage.

   Why: Keeping games on the card means you can swap or back them up without touching the system storage.

   Heads-up

   Formatting erases everything on the card. Copy anything you need off it first.

9. 09

   Set up your game folders (the fast way)

   Download a ready-made folder set: open ES-DE Directories on GitHub and tap ROMs.zip under Assets. Open your Files app, find ROMs.zip in Downloads, tap it to unzip (or long-press → Extract), then move the ROMs folder to the top level of your microSD card. Also make two folders of your own next to it: BIOS and Saves.

   Why: You get one correctly named folder per console in seconds, and frontends like ES-DE find your games automatically.

   Where it comes from

   This free folder pack is from Retro Game Corps (a well-known handheld reviewer) on GitHub. It's just empty folders that match ES-DE's own layout. ES-DE itself lives at es-de.org, with its source on GitLab.

   Legal note

   Only use ROM and BIOS files from games and consoles you own. We never host or link game files.

   More detail

   Easier on a PC? Download and unzip there, then copy the ROMs folder onto the card with a card reader. Prefer doing it by hand? Create ROMs with one folder per system inside (for example snes, psx, ps2). ES-DE can also create any missing folders for you when you first point it at your ROMs folder.
10. 10

    Install RetroArch and switch it to Vulkan

    Install RetroArch from its official site. Open it with no game loaded, go to Settings → Video → Output and change the video driver from gl to vulkan, then Main Menu → Configuration File → Save Current Configuration.

    Why: RetroArch covers most consoles up to PS1, and on most modern handhelds Vulkan is faster and avoids black screens with some cores.

    If this goes wrong

    Black screen or crash when a game starts? Switch the video driver back (or to vulkan if you haven't) and restart RetroArch. More in Fixes → Black screen.

    From our team

    On Snapdragon 8 Elite-class chips like the Odin 3's, Vulkan was needed for some cores to work at all.

    More detail

    Install the version from RetroArch's own site rather than the Play Store build; it ships the full core list.
11. 11

    Add your other emulators one at a time

    Use our Emulators hub to get each app from its official source: Dolphin (GameCube/Wii), PPSSPP (PSP), Azahar (3DS), a PS2 emulator and Eden (Switch).

    Why: Installing and testing one emulator at a time makes it obvious which one has a problem.

12. 12

    Pick a GPU driver for Switch and PC games

    For Eden, Winlator and GameHub, open our GPU Drivers page, pick your device and download a driver it lists for your GPU, then load it inside the emulator's driver settings.

    Why: A custom Turnip GPU driver can fix graphics glitches and improve speed in the heaviest games.

    Heads-up

    Custom drivers are for Adreno (Snapdragon) GPUs. Only use builds that support your exact GPU, or you may get crashes or a black screen.

    From our team

    Our Odin 3s have an Adreno 830, so we only use builds labelled for it.

    More detail

    Not sure which driver? Check what owners of your device use in the Compatibility DB, or let the Settings Finder suggest one. Keep the stock driver as a fallback.
13. 13

    Add a frontend (optional)

    Once games launch directly in each emulator, install a frontend such as ES-DE or Daijishō and point it at your ROMs folder.

    Why: It turns your handheld into a console-style menu with box art, so you're not hunting through apps.

    More detail

    Our frontend guide compares the options.
14. 14

    Back up your saves

    Set up Syncthing-Fork or a similar sync app to copy your Saves folder to a PC or cloud drive.

    Why: Hours of progress live in small files. A backup means a reset or lost card isn't a disaster.

15. 15

    Share what works

    When a game runs well, add your settings to the Compatibility DB. It takes under a minute.

    Why: The next owner of your device starts where you finished, and you can browse their reports too.

Keep going

New to the words? Tap any dotted word for a quick explanation, or see the full glossary.