⚠️ Important Warning About Default SD Cards
The console's original SD cards are a main source of serious performance and reliability issues. They can cause slow console performance, save game data loss, and complete device failure. We strongly recommend replacing the default SD cards with branded ones as soon as you purchase the console.
🎬Video Installation Guide
📋Requirements & Preparation
🔧 Hardware Required
- ✓OS SD Card: 64GB Kodak SD card recommended (16GB minimum)
- ✓Game SD Card: For ROM storage (128GB+ recommended)
- ✓SD Card Reader: To connect SD cards to your computer
💻 Software Required
- 📦7-Zip: To extract the .gz archive file
- 💾Rufus or Etcher: To flash the .img file to SD card
1
Identify Your Screen Version
This is the most critical step. Installing the wrong firmware can cause your console to not work.
- 1Remove the default SD card from your console's first slot and insert it into your computer.
- 2Go to the screen detection website (link available in the GitHub repository).
- 3Upload the required file from the Boot partition and click "Identify My Screen".
- 4Note your screen type: Original, Panel 3, or Panel 4.
💡 Tip: After identifying your screen, you no longer need the default SD card.
2
Download the Correct ArkOS Firmware
- 1Go to the official ArkOS GitHub releases page.
- 2Download the ArkOS archive file matching your screen version.
- 3Extract the archive using 7-Zip to get the .img firmware file.
3
Flash Firmware to SD Card
Format your new SD card to exFAT before flashing. Choose either method below:
🔥 Etcher Method
- 1. Open Etcher
- 2. Select the .img firmware file
- 3. Select your new SD card
- 4. Click "Flash" and wait
🔧 Rufus Method
- 1. Open Rufus
- 2. Select your SD card in "Device"
- 3. Choose "Disk or ISO image" and select .img file
- 4. Click "Start" and wait for completion
4
Console Setup & First Boot
- 1Insert the new firmware SD card into your R36S's first slot (TF1/OS). Do NOT insert the game SD card yet.
- 2Power on the console. The setup process will start automatically and may take a few minutes. The device may restart several times.
- 3When setup is complete, the ArkOS main screen will appear.
5
Configure Device Type & Game Card
⚙️ Set Device Type
- 1. Go to Options menu
- 2. Enter Device Type section
- 3. Select your console model (R35S or R36S)
- 4. Press A to confirm
🎮 Enable Game Card (SD2)
- 1. Insert your game SD card into the second slot (TF2/GAME)
- 2. Go to Advanced menu
- 3. Find "Switch to SD2 for Roms" at the bottom
- 4. Press A to run. Your games will now appear!
✅ Installation Complete!
Your R36S console is now running ArkOS with stable operation and reliable SD cards. Enjoy your retro gaming!
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