How to Add & Use RetroArch on Android TV

by Natalie
Official Link To DownloadGoogle Play Store
Download Linkhttps://urlsrt.io/RetroArch
Official Webpagehttps://www.retroarch.com
CategoryGames
 Size177 MB
PriceFree
Latest Versionv1.9.12

RetroArch is an open-source emulator, game engine, and media player. It is used as a tool to create and play a wide range of classic & retro games on your PC. Also, it has various advanced features like netplay, rewinding, shaders, runahead, and much more. Luckily, the RetroArch game is officially available for free in the Play Store. If you can’t find this app on your TV, then you can try the sideload method to play your favorite game on the big screen.

In this guide, we have discussed all the possible methods to play the RetroArch games on your Android TV.

RetroArch on Android TV

How to Install RetroArch on Android TV from the Play Store

1. Go to the home screen on your Android TV and click on Apps.

Open the Google Play Store

2. Open the Google Play Store and click the Search icon.

Search for the RetroArch app on Android TV

3. Enter RetroArch in the search bar and locate the app.

4. Select RetroArch from the suggested results.

5. Click Install to get the app on your Android TV.

6. Once the app is installed, click Open to launch the app.

7. When the home screen of the app appears, play your favorite games on your TV.

How to Sideload RetroArch APK on Android TV

If you can’t find the RetroArch app in the Play Store, you need to sideload its APK file with the help of Downloader on Android TV.

1. Turn on your Android TV and head to the Apps section.

2. Locate the Google Play Store and launch it.

3. Click on the Search icon and type Downloader in the required field.

4. Locate the Downloader app developed by AFTVnews and hit the Install button.

Install the Downloader app

5. Wait for a while to download and install the Downloader app on your device.

6. Once the Downloader app is installed successfully, press the home button on your remote.

7. Now, navigate to the Settings icon from the home page.

8. From the options, go to Device PreferencesSecurity & Restrictions.

Select the security and restrictions option

9. Click Unknown Sources → Turn on the Downloader toggle.

10. Now. go back to the home screen and launch the Downloader app.

11. Accept the storage and other permissions asked by the app on your TV.

12. Choose Home from the left pane, and type the below-mentioned URL in the required field.

Download link of RetroArch APK latest version: https://urlsrt.io/RetroArch

Enter the RetroArch APK URL on the field

13. Click Go to download the APK file on your Android TV.

14. Once the file is downloaded, open it and click Install.

15. After the downloading process, return to the homepage and navigate to the Apps section.

16. Then, click Open to launch the RetroArch app and enjoy playing your favorite games.

How to Watch RetroArch Using Browser

RetroArch has a dedicated webpage that includes an extensive media library of numerous movies/shows/series. As the simplest way, you can access the RetroArch platform on your TV through its web version. For that, you have to use any of the best web browsers on your Android TV.

1. Open a web browser on your Android TV.

2. Enter the URL (https://www.retroarch.com) in the address bar and go to that website.

3. The website’s home screen will appear on the TV screen.

Click the Try RetroArch Online button

4. Click the Try RetroArch Online button and select the Load Content option.

5. Choose the ROM folder and choose the ZIP file.

6. Pick the Browser Archive option to extract it and click on the Run button on the top.

5. Then, you can play your favorite game on your Android TV.

How to Cast RetroArch on Android TV

If you aren’t interested in sideloading the RetroArch apk, you can cast the app from your Android smartphone to TV. Unfortunately, there is no built-in cast support available on this provider, so you need to screen mirror the app using the casting feature of your mobile.

1. Connect the Android TV to a WiFi network in which your smartphone is connected.

2. Go to RetroArch ‘s website or install the RetroArch APK on your Android smartphone.

3. Launch the app and log in with your credentials if needed.

4. Play the video content on the RetroArch app.

5. Go to the Notification Panel and tap the Cast icon.

Click the Cast icon to play RetroArch games

6. Choose your Android TV. Now, the game screen will appear on your Android TV.

How to Use RetroArch on Android TV

Before beginning to use RetroArch, you have to follow the below setups.

Update Assets on RetroArch

1. When you open the RetroArch app on your Android TV, you will get the below screen. You may get a pixilated screen or a warning screen.

RetroArch on Android TV - Warning screen

2. Now, you need to install extra files to remove the pixilated screen and to get the full features. Go to Settings and choose Online Updater.

3. Choose the Update Assets option.

Update Assests on Android TV

4. The download progress will appear on the bottom left of the screen.

Updating Assests

5. Wait until the download is completed.

Download Game ROM Files

Game ROM files are nothing but the game source file. You can get the Game ROM file on the official website.

1. Download the ROM file from the game platform.

Download ROM files

2. Copy the ROM file to a USB drive and insert the drive into your TV.

3. Paste all the ROM files into a separate folder (e.g., ROM folder) of your local Android TV’s storage.

Copy ROM files to Android TV

Download Core

The core is the platform where you are going to emulate a separate platform to play the games.

1. Open the RetroArch app on your TV.

2. Select the Load Core option.

Load Core on RetroArch

3. On the next screen, choose the Download a Core option.

Download a Core on Android TV

4. Download all the necessary cores for the game.

Get all the necessary cores

Load ROMS

1. On the RetroArch menu, click the Load Content option.

Load Content button

2. Choose the ROM folder that you have created before.

Choose the ROM folder

3. Select the ZIP file that corresponds to the game.

RetroArch game zip file

4. Choose the Browse Archive option to extract it.

Click Browse Archive

Run ROMS to Play RetroArch Games on Android TV

1. Once the ROMS are extracted, go to the extreme right menu to get the ROM file.

Game file

2. Then, tap the Run button to play the game.

3. Now, you can play the game on your Android TV.

RetroArch game on Android TV

Supported Android TVs and Boxes

Smart TVsSmart TV Boxes
Sony Smart TV
TCL Smart TV
OnePlus Smart TV
Sharp Smart TV
Vu Smart TV
Philips Smart TV
Xiaomi Mi Smart TV
Hisense Smart TV
Nvidia Shield TV
MXQ Pro 4K
Mi Box 4K

How to Fix RetroArch Not Working on Android TV

Since we’ve installed the RetroArch app on Android TV by getting it from third-party sources, you will face many issues with the app while gaming on your TV. In such cases, you need to perform the troubleshooting fixes listed below to resolve those problems.

  • Make sure that your Android TV and the app get the proper internet speed.
  • Restart your Android TV to resolve the temporary bugs associated with the device and app.
  • If there is a new version available for RetroArch, uninstall the current one and sideload the latest version.
  • Clear the app cache files for RetroArch accumulated on your Smart TV.
  • Update your Android TV firmware.
  • Reset your Android TV to solve the major problems, then set up your Smart TV to install the app again.

RetroArch Alternatives

If you feel that RetroArch isn’t for you or if you are unsatisfied with the service it provides, you can switch over to some other platform to play games. Here are the best options you can choose as an alternative solution to RetroArch.

AppsPrice
Play Stadia Games$9.99
RobloxFree
MinecraftFree
Crossy RoadFree

FAQ

Can I Install RetroArch on Android TV?

Yes, you can directly install the RetroArch application from the Play Store of your Android TV.

Is RetroArch legal to use?

Yes, RetroArch is an open-source platform that is also legal to use.

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