R36S Setup Guide: First Start, Step by Step
Last updated: November 2026
The R36S console needs almost no setup: the card is already in the console with the system and the games. Charge it through the port marked DC, press Power, pick a system, pick a game. The one thing worth doing on day one is a backup copy of the card.
What's in the box?
- The R36S console
- A microSD card, already loaded with the system and 15,000+ games (64 GB or 128 GB)
- A USB-C cable
- A manual
There is no wall adapter. Any 5 V adapter of 1 to 2 A works, and so does a computer's USB port. Full hardware details are on our R36S specs page.
Step 1: How do you charge the R36S?
The R36S has two USB-C ports. Plug the cable into the one marked DC. The other one, OTG, is for accessories and does not charge the console. A USB-A to USB-C cable is the safest choice; some USB-C to USB-C chargers don't work.
A full charge takes about 4 hours at 1 A, and one charge lasts about 5 to 6 hours of play depending on brightness, volume and the system. If the console doesn't start at all, charge it for 30 minutes before trying again. More on chargers, the battery light and battery life in our R36S battery guide.
Step 2: How do you turn it on and check the card?
- Check that the card is pushed all the way into the slot marked TF1 (it clicks). TF1 holds the system; TF2 is an optional second slot for extra games and can stay empty.
- Press the Power button. The console starts on ArkOS, the system our R36S ships with.
- Wait for the menu. If a freshly prepared card restarts the console on its own the very first time, let it finish: it can restart up to twice while it sets up the card. Don't turn it off during this.
Want to confirm you have a real R36S and not a clone? Our original vs clone guide lists what to check.
Step 3: How do you find and launch a game?
The menu (EmulationStation) shows one screen per system. Move between systems with the D-pad, open one, then pick a game from its list. The Start button opens the main menu, where you find the settings and the Quit option. Which systems are on the card, and how well each one runs, is explained on our R36S emulators and systems page.
Step 4: Which buttons do you need in a game?
On ArkOS, the FN key is the shortcut key. The essentials:
| Action | Buttons (ArkOS) |
|---|---|
| Open the in-game menu (RetroArch) | FN + X |
| Save state (quick save) | FN + R1 |
| Load state | FN + L1 |
| Quit the game, back to the list | FN + Start |
| Fast forward | Hold FN |
| Brightness | FN + Volume up or down |
| Shut down cleanly | FN + Power |
Two exceptions: the PSP and dual-screen emulators have their own menus. Older system images use Select instead of FN. Every combination, and where saves are stored, is in our guide to saving, quitting and turning off the R36S.
Prefer turning the console off to leaving it asleep for long periods: a short press on Power puts it to sleep, but ArkOS does not list the R36S among the devices with stable sleep.
Step 5: Why back up the card first?
Everything lives on the microSD card: system, games and saves. Cards can wear out or get corrupted, so a copy on your computer is the best insurance.
- Make a full image of the card with Win32DiskImager on Windows or ApplePi-Baker on Mac, and keep it safe.
- If you only copy files, keep the screen file (.dtb) from the BOOT partition: it is the most important one.
- If Windows offers to format the card, cancel. It only means Windows can't read the Linux partition.
Step-by-step instructions, and which card to buy as a spare, are in our R36S SD card guide.
Step 6: Which settings are worth changing?
- Menu language: Start, then Advanced Settings, then Language. The in-game RetroArch menu has its own language setting. The games themselves stay in their original language; see our guide to game languages.
- Brightness: lower brightness means a longer charge.
- Second card for games: if you add a TF2 card, ArkOS has a "Switch to SD2 for Roms" option. With it on, both cards must be in place to start.
Adding your own games is done from a computer: our guide on how to add games to the R36S walks through it. You don't need to update the system to play; if you want to later, read our R36S update guide and our comparison of ArkOS, dArkOS and ROCKNIX.
Common first-day problems
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| Black screen, nothing happens | Charge 30 minutes on the DC port, then push the card fully into TF1 and try again. |
| Doesn't charge | Use the DC port, another USB-A to USB-C cable, another 5 V adapter or a computer port. |
| Small blinking cursor top left | The system is looking for a TF2 card. Put the second card back. |
| Starts in RetroArch instead of the game list | Restart while holding B and choose EmulationStation. |
| Frozen | Hold Power for 10 seconds, release, then press it again to restart. |
| Red light | Battery below 20 % (steady) or 10 % (blinking) on ArkOS. Charge it. |
Still stuck? Our R36S black screen fix goes further. If you bought your R36S from us, email us with your order number and a short video.
R36S setup FAQ
How do you set up an R36S?
Charge it on the DC port, check the card is in TF1, press Power and pick a game. The system and games are already on the card.
Which port do you use to charge the R36S?
The USB-C port marked DC. The OTG port doesn't charge the console.
How do you quit a game on the R36S?
FN + Start on ArkOS. On older images, Select + Start.
How do you hard reset a frozen R36S?
Hold Power for 10 seconds, release, then press it again. If it still won't start, charge it and reseat the card in TF1.
How do you add games to the R36S?
Turn it off, put the card in a computer, copy the files into the right system folder on the EASYROMS partition, then put the card back. Full steps in our add games guide.