Ever since it was announced, the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 has been one of the most popular handhelds that we’ve seen hit the market. Some of that has to do with the fact that Retroid took everything that was great about the Pocket 5 and tossed it into a clamshell design.

This includes things like the AMOLED display and Snapdragon 865 chipset, making it one of the more powerful “retro” handhelds out there. Whether you’re waiting for yours to arrive or it just landed on the doorstep, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know in this Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Setup Guide.

Table of Contents



Where to Buy

Recommended Accessories

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - Angled view with Accessories - 2

Retroid Launcher

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - Apps in Retroid Launcher

One of the new additions to the Retroid Pocket 5 was the introduction of the revamped Retroid Launcher. Now that it’s had some time to bake, Retroid actually offers a pretty solid launcher for those who don’t really want to fiddle around with others. Let’s walk through all of the different settings and options that you can change.

Retroid Settings

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - Handheld Settings in Android Settings app

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down and tap Handheld Settings.
  3. Go through the following sections, making any changes that you want:
Retroid Handheld Settings
  • Power
    • Clean process when standby
    • Background process limit
  • Connect TV
    • Turn off handheld console’s screen
    • No auto sleep
    • Force landscape
    • Please select the sound output when connected to DP
  • Vibrator
    • Vibrator strength settings
  • USB
    • Notify me when USB is connected
  • Statusbar
    • Show current network speed
  • Input
    • Input control
    • Controller Style
    • L2/R2 Mode
  • V Mouse
    • Enable
  • Google
    • Enable Google Services
    • Register Google Services
  • Advanced
    • Virtual RAM Swap
    • Disable Apps
    • Whitelist application
    • Exclude key focus application
    • Play boot music
    • Re-enter Setup Wizard
    • Enter factory test
    • Factory settings
    • Force start selinux
    • Run script as Root

Add ROM Library for Each Console

  1. Highlight, but don’t select, the console.
  2. Push the X button for “Details”.
  3. Scroll to the right and select Directories.
  4. Select Add.
  5. Navigate to and select where your ROM files are stored for that specific console.
  6. Repeat the steps for any other consoles.

Platform (Console) Options

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - Retroid Launcher Platforms

  1. Highlight, but don’t select, the console.
  2. Push the X button for “Details”.
  3. Tap the Edit button in the bottom right corner.
  4. Go through each of the following options:
    • Setup
      • Platform Name
      • Thumbnail Size
      • Update Platform
      • Delete Platform
    • Import
      • Import resource package
      • Import Pegasus resources
    • Config
      • Select the core/emulator that you want to use
      • Create a New Config
    • Color
      • Select the Theme Color for that platform/console
    • Picture
      • Set background image
      • Set thumbnail
      • Set detailed image
    • Suffix
      • Set File Suffix
        • Choose which file types can be used with the emulator for this specific platform.

Customize the Launcher

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - Customize Retroid Launcher

  1. From the main screen, highlight and select the button that looks like a T-shirt with a Star on the front.
  2. Go through each of the following options:
    • Game Grid
      • Thumbnail
        • Whether to place the game name above the thumbnail
        • Whether to display the game name
      • Background
        • Is the background displayed when the game is focused
      • Grid layout
        • Do you want to display the letter search sidebar
    • Game List
      • Background
        • Is the background displayed when the game is focused
      • List layout
        • Do you want to display the letter search sidebar
      • List Item Layout
        • Default
        • Show more information
        • Whether to display the game logo
      • Platform
        • Thumbnail Style
          • Rounded rectangle
          • Edge blur
          • Platform thumbnail loop browsing
      • Theme
        • Do you need a edge layer
        • Theme color matching background image
        • Is the background image blurred

Download More Platforms

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - Platform Download in Retroid Launcher

  1. From the Retroid Launcher main screen, highlight and select the Download button.
  2. Select the platforms that you want to add.
  3. Select the Download button.

General Settings

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - Customize App Type in Retroid Launcher

  • Scan
    • Scanning Mode
      • Depth search or not
      • Whether to use fast MD5
      • Whether to scan subfolder
  • Launching
    • Does it automatically match the installed emulator when the specific emulator is not installed
    • When the specific core does not exist, should it be temporarily replaced with the default core
  • RetroArch
    • Core List
      • Retroarch default
      • Retroarch 32
      • Retroarch 64
  • Other
    • Whether to turn on the operation feedback tone

Update Retroid Launcher

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - Update Retroid Launcher

  1. Make sure your device is connected to the internet.
  2. Highlight and select the Pokeball-looking icon (second from the left.)
  3. Select Update.
  4. If an update is available, follow the on-screen steps to install it.

Apps and Utilities We Recommend

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - Apps list in Obtainium

UtilityDescriptionDownload
ArtemisAn open source client for Apollo/Sunshine.GitHub
ChdmanA chdman port for Android. Heavily work-in-progress.GitHub
Epic Games StoreMobile marketplace where you can find, purchase, download and play new games and appsDirect
es-de-android-custom-systemsThis is a set of xml enabling custom systems like Switch, hacks of gb,gbc,gba,nes, snes and genGitHub
Key MapperAn Android app to remap the buttons on your devicesGitHub
MiXplorerFast, smooth, beautiful, reliable and full-featured Android file manager with a simple and intuitive user interface.GitHub
MoonlightNVIDIA GameStream client for AndroidGitHub
ObtainiumGet Android app updates straight from the source.GitHub
RHCompletionAn Android app for RetroHandhelds GotX completion.GitHub
Steam LinkStream games from your computer.Direct
Syncthing-ForkA Syncthing Wrapper for Android.GitHub
UniPatcherAn app for patching ROMs or game files.GitHub

Third-Party Launchers

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - ES-DE Home Screen

LauncherDownload
BeaconGoogle Play
Console LauncherGitHub
DaijishoGoogle / GitHub
ES-DEPatreon
GamedeckGoogle Play
LaunchboxDirect
RESET CollectionGoogle Play

Games and Emulation

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - Links Awakening DX HD in Winlator - 3

Compatibility

Although the Snapdragon 865 is getting a bit long in the tooth, there’s still a bit more power than you might expect. As such, you can actually enjoy some lighter Wii U and Switch titles. But keep in mind that there’s a good chance you’ll need to install drivers, tinker with settings, and use different emulators to get games working.

On the bright side, the community has come in clutch, as there’s a compatibility spreadsheet for everyone to reference.

Community Compatibility Sheet

Recommended Emulators

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - THPS3 in NetherSX2

EmulatorConsole(s)Download
RetroArch (Nightly)Multi-systemDirect
Dolphin (Dev)GameCube & WiiDirect
Dolphin MMJR VBIGameCube & WiiGitHub
AzaharNintendo 3DSGitHub
Borked3DSNintendo 3DSGitHub
Citra MMJNintendo 3DSGitHub
DraSticNintendo DS & DSiArchive.org
melonDSNintendo DS & DSiGitHub
Mupen64Plus FZNintendo 64Free / Pro
CitronNintendo SwitchGit
SudachiNintendo SwitchGitHub
Skyline EdgeNintendo SwitchArchive.org
Uzuy MMJRNintendo SwitchArchive.org
YuzuNintendo SwitchArchive.org
PPSSPPPSPFree / Gold
DuckStationPlayStation 1Google Play
NetherSX2 (3668)PlayStation 2GitHub
RPCSXPlayStation 3GitHub
Vita3KPlayStation VitaGitHub
RedreamSega DreamcastGoogle Play
Yaba Sanshiro 2Sega SaturnFree / Pro
CemuWii UGitHub
PluviaWindowsGitHub
ScummVMWindows / DOSDirect
WinlatorWindowsGitHub
Winlator BionicWindowsGitHub

Can You Run ROCKNIX or Batocera?

ROCKNIX running PortMaster on Retroid Pocket Flip 2 with Retroid Pocket 5 in background

Imagine our surprise when it was discovered that you could take your ROCKNIX microSD card from the Retroid Pocket 5, slot it into the Pocket Flip 2, and enjoy Linux. Since then, ROCKNIX has been updated with new features, and now supports the ability to put your handheld to sleep when you close the lid.

ROCKNIX Install Guide

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Guides

How to Update

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - FOTA Update app

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down and tap System.
  3. Tap Retroid Pocket FOTA.
  4. To check for an update, tap the Check Version button.
  5. If an update is available, follow the on-screen steps to download and install it.

In the event that you want or need to manually update the Pocket Flip 2, follow these steps:

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - Local Update via FOTA Update app

  1. Save the update ZIP file to a memorable location on your Pocket Flip 2.
  2. From the FOTA app, tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
  3. Tap Local update.
  4. Tap the Select Update Package button.
  5. Locate and select the necessary file.
  6. Follow the on-screen steps to finish the update installation.

How to Re-Flash Android

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 - Gamma Reinstall Android Guide

Were you trying to install an update or maybe trying to get ROCKNIX up and running, only to find that your Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is no longer working? Well, Gamma is here to save the day, as he’s provided a full recovery guide on how to re-flash Android if you need to.

Recovery Guide – Gamma

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Specs

****Spec
Screen Size5.5″
Aspect Ratio16×9
Resolution1920 X 1080
Screen TypeAMOLED
Form FactorClamshell
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 865 / Dimensity 1100
GPUAdreno 650
RAM8GB LPDDR4X
Active Cooling✅
Internal Storage128GB UFS 3.1
External Storage1x MicroSD Up To 2TB
Battery5,000mAh
Charging27W (5V/9V)
Vibration✅
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6
BluetoothBluetooth 5.1 (SD865) / Bluetooth 5.2 (D1100)
Audio Jack✅
Speakers2x Up-Firing
Ports1x USB-C (front), 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack (front), 1x MicroSD Card Slot (front)
Video Out✅
Controls / ButtonsHall Effect Joysticks, Hall Effect Triggers, D-Pad, ABXY, Start, Select, Home/Back, L1/R1, L2/R2, L3/R3, Volume, Power
ExtrasRGB Joysticks, 1080p Video Out via USB-C, Retroid Launcher, Lanyard Loop
Dimensions140.5 x 89.5 x 24.4mm
Weight306 Grams
ColorsBlack, GC, Ice Blue, 16Bit US
Operating SystemAndroid 13
Release2025-04
Retail Price$199.99 / $229.99

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