What is your return policy?

We offer a 30-day hassle-free return policy. If you are not satisfied for any reason, contact us at support@igameconsole.com and we will make it right.

🛠 Tutorial ANBERNIC Under 100

R36S Setup Guide 2026: How to Set Up Your R36S in 10 Minutes

Q: How do I turn on the R36S?

Hold the power button for 3 seconds. ArkOS boots in approximately 20 seconds.

Q: How do I exit a game on the R36S?

Press Select + Start simultaneously. Universal exit shortcut in ArkOS. Works in every emulator.

Q: How long does the R36S battery last?

Approximately 4.2 hours at 70% brightness during GBA gameplay. 2.5-3 hours at maximum brightness with WiFi on.

i

iGC Editorial Team

Retro Gaming Expert · Tested 47+ Handhelds

· Jul 30, 2026 6 min read Updated Jul 2026 Lab-Tested & Verified

R36S Setup Guide 2026: How to Set Up Your R36S in 10 Minutes

How We Test

Our team has hands-on tested 47+ retro handheld consoles over 2,000+ hours. Every device is evaluated on real-world performance — not spec sheets. We buy, test, and verify before we recommend.

47+ Devices Tested

2,000+ Testing Hours

8,000+ Verified Reviews

5+ Years Experience

Every handheld we review goes through our standardized 7-point evaluation framework. We test each device for a minimum of 40 hours across multiple emulation platforms before publishing our verdict.

✓ Build quality & durability

✓ Emulation accuracy & compatibility

✓ Battery life (real-world)

✓ Screen quality & brightness

✓ Button feel & ergonomics

✓ Heat management

✓ Value for money

✓ Out-of-box experience

iGC Setup Guide · Step-by-Step · 10 Minutes · ArkOS

R36S Setup Guide 2026: How to Set Up Your R36S in 10 Minutes

Your iGC R36S comes pre-configured with ArkOS and 15,000+ games. This guide covers the 10 steps to optimize your setup for the best experience. Written by the iGC Editorial Team.

🔬 Written by iGC Editorial Team | 📅 Updated July 2026 | ✅ Verified on iGC R36S with ArkOS

Jump To Section

First Boot Optimal Settings WiFi Setup RetroAchievements Checklist FAQ

10

Minutes to Setup

10

Setup Steps

15K+

Games Pre-loaded

15

Systems Ready

🔋 Steps 1–3: First Boot

1

Charge Before First Use

Connect the USB-C cable and charge for at least 60 minutes before first boot. The battery indicator will show on the top-right of the screen when powered on. Do not use the device while charging for the first cycle.

⚡ iGC Tip: First charge to 100% extends battery longevity. The R36S takes approximately 2 hours for a full charge from 0%.

2

First Boot — ArkOS Welcome Screen

Hold the power button for 3 seconds to boot. ArkOS will load in approximately 20 seconds. You will see the EmulationStation interface with your game library already organized by system. All 15,000+ games are pre-loaded and ready to play.

⚡ iGC Tip: The first boot may take up to 45 seconds as ArkOS indexes the game library. Subsequent boots are faster (15–20 seconds).

3

Navigate the Interface

Use the D-Pad to navigate between systems. Press A to enter a system and select a game. Press B to go back. Press Start to access game options. Press Select + Start together to exit a game and return to the menu.

⚡ iGC Tip: Select + Start is the universal "exit game" shortcut in ArkOS. Remember this — it works in every emulator.

⚙️ Steps 4–6: Optimal Settings

4

Set Screen Brightness

Press Select + Volume Up/Down to adjust brightness. iGC recommends 70–80% brightness for indoor use. Maximum brightness (100%) reduces battery life significantly. For outdoor use, set to 100%.

⚡ iGC Tip: At 70% brightness, the R36S achieves approximately 4.2 hours of battery life. At 100%, expect 2.8–3.0 hours.

5

Configure Optimal ArkOS Settings

Go to Main Menu → Settings → UI Settings. Apply these iGC-recommended settings:

Setting	iGC Recommended	Why
Theme	Art-Book-Next	Best game art display
Clock Display	On	Track battery/time
Battery %	On	Know when to charge
Screensaver	5 minutes	Save battery
Game Launch	Random video	Better experience

⚡ iGC Tip: These settings are already optimized on iGC units. Verify they match if you've reset to defaults.

6

Set Up Save States

Save states let you save your game progress at any point. In any game, press Select + R1 to create a save state. Press Select + L1 to load a save state. You can have up to 10 save states per game.

⚡ iGC Tip: Save states are different from in-game saves. Use both — save states for quick saves, in-game saves for permanent progress.

⚠️ Warning: Save states are stored on the MicroSD card. Do not remove the card while the device is on or you may lose save data.

📶 Steps 7–8: WiFi Setup

7

Connect to WiFi

Go to Main Menu → Network Settings → Enable WiFi. Select your network and enter your password using the on-screen keyboard. WiFi is required for RetroAchievements, online leaderboards, and firmware updates.

⚡ iGC Tip: WiFi slightly reduces battery life. If you don't need online features, keep WiFi off during gameplay.

8

Update ArkOS Firmware (Optional)

With WiFi connected, go to Main Menu → System → Software Updates. Your iGC R36S ships with the latest stable ArkOS version. Updates are optional — only update if you want new features or bug fixes.

⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt a firmware update. Keep the device plugged in during updates. A failed update may require manual recovery.

🏆 Steps 9–10: RetroAchievements

9

Set Up RetroAchievements

RetroAchievements adds Xbox-style achievements to retro games. Create a free account at retroachievements.org. Then go to Main Menu → RetroAchievements → Login and enter your credentials. Over 500,000 achievements are available across GBA, SNES, PS1, and more.

⚡ iGC Tip: RetroAchievements requires WiFi and works with most games in your library. Look for the trophy icon on compatible games.

10

Play Your First Game

Navigate to the GBA system and select any game. Press A to launch. The game will load in 2–5 seconds. Use the D-Pad and A/B buttons for gameplay. Press Select + Start to exit and return to the menu when done.

⚡ iGC Tip: Start with GBA or SNES games for the best experience. These systems run at 100% compatibility with locked 60fps on the R36S.

✅ R36S Setup Checklist

✅ Complete Setup Checklist

Charged to 100% before first use
First boot completed — ArkOS loaded successfully
Screen brightness set to 70–80%
UI settings configured (theme, clock, battery %)
Save state shortcuts tested (Select + R1 / Select + L1)
WiFi connected (if desired)
RetroAchievements account linked (if desired)
First game launched and played
Select + Start exit shortcut confirmed working
Device powered off correctly (hold power button 3 seconds)

❓ R36S Setup FAQ

How do I turn on the R36S?

Hold the power button for 3 seconds. ArkOS will boot in approximately 20 seconds. If the device doesn't turn on, charge it for at least 30 minutes first — the battery may be fully depleted from storage.

How do I exit a game on the R36S?

Press Select + Start simultaneously. This is the universal exit shortcut in ArkOS and works in every emulator. You will return to the EmulationStation game menu. Always save your game before exiting.

How do I save my game on the R36S?

Two methods: (1) In-game save — use the game's built-in save system as you would on the original console. (2) Save state — press Select + R1 to save at any point, Select + L1 to load. Save states work in all emulators and save instantly.

How do I connect the R36S to WiFi?

Go to Main Menu → Network Settings → Enable WiFi. Select your network from the list and enter your password. WiFi is required for RetroAchievements and firmware updates but is not needed for offline gameplay.

How long does the R36S battery last?

Approximately 4.2 hours at 70% brightness during active GBA gameplay. Battery life varies by system — PS1 and N64 emulation uses more power. At maximum brightness with WiFi on, expect 2.5–3 hours. Charge time from 0% to 100% is approximately 2 hours.

Don't Have Your R36S Yet?

iGC R36S · Pre-configured ArkOS · 15,000+ games · 4.70/5 · $79.99

→ Shop R36S — $79.99 Read Full R36S Review

📖 See also: R36S Review · ArkOS vs OnionOS · iGC 2026 Standard

Side-by-Side Comparison

Device	Screen	Battery	Emulation	RAM	Price
R36S Definitive Edition Best Pick	3.5" IPS	3000mAh / 6h	PS1 / GBA / N64	1GB	$79.99 $114.99 ↓30% OFF	Shop Now
R36MAX Classic Edition	4.0" IPS	3200mAh / 6h	PS1 / GBA / N64	1GB	$109.00 $154.99 ↓30% OFF	View
R36PRO Open Source Edition	3.5" IPS	3000mAh / 6h	PS1 / GBA / PSP	1GB	$129.00 $179.99 ↓28% OFF	View

* Prices and specs verified as of July 2026. Subject to change.

⚡ Lab-Tested · Gamer-Verified · Expert-Curated

The Best Retro Handheld of 2026

Plug & play. Pre-loaded. Ships in 24hrs. 30-day returns.

Free US Shipping 30-Day Returns ⭐ 4.70 · 2,837 Reviews

Shop All Handhelds →

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The R36S remains the best retro handheld under $100 in 2026. It handles PS1, GBA, and N64 flawlessly out of the box, with a 3,000mAh battery and comfortable grip. For the price, nothing comes close.

The R36S can emulate Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, PS1, and N64. It comes pre-loaded with thousands of classic games across these platforms.

In our testing, the R36S delivers 5-7 hours of continuous gameplay on a full charge, depending on screen brightness and the emulation platform being used.

Yes. We ship to 77+ countries worldwide. US orders ship within 24 hours from our domestic warehouse. International orders typically arrive within 7-14 business days.

We offer a 30-day hassle-free return policy. If you are not satisfied for any reason, contact us at [email protected] and we will make it right.

📥