Setup Guide · Step-by-Step · July 2026
How to Set Up R36S: Complete Step-by-Step Guide 2026
The iGC R36S Definitive Edition ships with ArkOS pre-configured — you're playing in 60 seconds. This guide covers everything from first boot to advanced settings for users who want to customize.
⏱ Quick Setup Summary
iGC Edition Setup
60 seconds total
Game Load Time
3–8 seconds
🔬 Written by
iGC Editorial Team | ✅ Tested on iGC R36S Definitive Edition | 📅 Updated July 2026
💡 iGC Definitive Edition Users: You're Already Set Up
If you bought the iGC R36S Definitive Edition, ArkOS is already configured. Skip to Step 2 (First Boot). Everything is pre-loaded — games, emulators, WiFi settings, save states. You don't need to install anything.
🚀 Complete Setup Guide: 8 Steps
1
Charge the R36S (45 minutes)
Connect the included
USB-C cable to the R36S charging port (bottom of device) and plug into any USB power source (5V/2A recommended). The LED indicator on the front turns
red while charging and
green when fully charged. First charge takes approximately 45 minutes. Do not use the device while charging for the first time.
✅ Pro Tip: Use a wall adapter, not a computer USB port. Wall adapters provide more consistent power and charge faster.
2
Power On (hold power button 3 seconds)
Press and hold the power button (top-right of device) for 3 seconds. The iGC logo appears, followed by the
ArkOS boot screen. Boot time:
28 seconds. You'll see the main
EmulationStation menu with all game systems listed.
✅ Normal: The screen may flicker briefly during boot. This is normal ArkOS behavior.
3
Navigate the Main Menu
Use the
D-pad (left/right) to scroll between game systems. You'll see: Game Boy Advance, Super Nintendo, NES, PlayStation 1, Nintendo 64, PSP, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and more. Press
A to enter a system. Press
B to go back.
✅ Tip: Press Start on the main menu to access system settings, theme options, and display settings.
4
Select and Launch a Game
Navigate to your chosen system (e.g., Game Boy Advance). Use D-pad up/down to scroll through games. Press A to launch. Games load in 3–8 seconds. The game starts automatically — no additional configuration needed.
✅ First Game Recommendation: Try Pokémon FireRed (GBA) or Super Mario World (SNES) — both run at locked 60
fps with perfect compatibility.
5
Learn the Essential Controls
While in a game, these shortcuts work across all emulators:
| Button Combo |
Action |
| Select + R |
Save state (save your progress instantly) |
| Select + L |
Load state (restore saved progress) |
| Select + Start |
Exit game, return to menu |
| Select + Vol Up/Down |
Adjust brightness |
| Select + A |
Fast forward (2x speed) |
| Select + B |
RetroArch menu (advanced settings) |
| Power (short press) |
Sleep mode |
| Power (hold 3s) |
Power off |
6
Set Up WiFi (optional)
From the main menu, press
Start → Network Settings → Enable WiFi. Select your network and enter your password using the on-screen keyboard.
WiFi enables: online game scraping (box art), RetroAchievements, and remote file transfer.
✅ iGC Edition: WiFi settings are pre-configured. You only need to enter your home network password.
⚠️ Note: WiFi is optional. The R36S plays all games perfectly without WiFi. It's only needed for online features.
7
Adjust Display Settings (optional)
From the main menu:
Start → UI Settings → Theme to change the visual
theme. For brightness: use
Select + Volume in-game. For screen ratio: in
RetroArch menu (Select + B), go to
Settings → Video → Scaling. Default settings are optimized by iGC — most users don't need to change anything.
8
Add More Games (optional)
The iGC R36S comes with thousands of games pre-loaded. To add more: remove the MicroSD card, connect to a computer, and copy
ROM files to the appropriate system folder (e.g.,
/roms/gba/ for GBA games). Reinsert the card and the games appear automatically after a menu refresh.
⚠️ Legal Note: Only add ROMs for games you legally own. iGC does not provide ROM files beyond what is pre-loaded.
🛠️ Troubleshooting Common Issues
🔊 No Sound
Check volume level: press Select + Volume Up in-game. If still no sound, go to RetroArch menu (Select + B) → Settings → Audio → Enable Audio: ON.
📺 Screen Too Dark
Press Select + Volume Up to increase brightness. Default is 60% — increase to 80% for bright environments. The R36S features a 3.5" IPS display that performs well at all brightness levels.
🎮 Game Running Slowly
For N64 and PSP games, some titles run at 25-30fps — this is normal for the RK3326 chip. For GBA/SNES/PS1, all games should run at locked 60fps. If a GBA game runs slowly, go to RetroArch → Core Options and ensure the correct core is selected.
❌ Device Won't Turn On
Charge for at least 30 minutes before first use. If still unresponsive, hold the power button for 10 seconds to force restart. Contact [email protected] if the issue persists.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to set up the R36S?
The iGC R36S Definitive Edition takes 60 seconds to set up — charge it, turn it on, and play. If you bought a non-iGC R36S with
stock firmware, setup takes 30–60 minutes to install and configure
ArkOS.
Do I need to install ArkOS on the iGC R36S?
No. The iGC R36S Definitive Edition ships with
ArkOS pre-installed and pre-configured. You don't need to download, flash, or configure anything. Just charge and play.
How do I save my game progress on the R36S?
Press Select + R to create a
save state at any point in the game. Press Select + L to load it. Save states work across all emulators. In-game saves (like Pokemon save files) also work normally — just save in-game as you normally would.
How do I exit a game on the R36S?
Press Select + Start to exit any game and return to the main menu. Always save your progress first with Select + R before exiting.
Can I add my own games to the R36S?
Yes. Remove the MicroSD card, connect to a computer, and copy
ROM files to the appropriate system folder. The iGC R36S uses a standard MicroSD card that works with any card reader. Games appear automatically after reinserting the card and refreshing the menu.
📖 New to retro gaming terms? Visit the iGC Retro Handheld Glossary — definitions for ArkOS, CFW, SoC, RetroArch, save states, and 50+ more terms.
