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 Launcher
- Apps and Utilities We Recommend
- Third-Party Launchers
- Games and Emulation
- Can You Run ROCKNIX or Batocera?
- Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Guides
- Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Specs
Where to Buy
Recommended Accessories
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
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Handheld Settings.
- Go through the following sections, making any changes that you want:
Add ROM Library for Each Console
- Highlight, but don’t select, the console.
- Push the X button for “Details”.
- Scroll to the right and select Directories.
- Select Add.
- Navigate to and select where your ROM files are stored for that specific console.
- Repeat the steps for any other consoles.
Platform (Console) Options
- Highlight, but don’t select, the console.
- Push the X button for “Details”.
- Tap the Edit button in the bottom right corner.
- 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.
- Set File Suffix
- Setup
Customize the Launcher
- From the main screen, highlight and select the button that looks like a T-shirt with a Star on the front.
- 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
- Thumbnail
- 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
- Thumbnail Style
- Theme
- Do you need a edge layer
- Theme color matching background image
- Is the background image blurred
- Background
- Game Grid
Download More Platforms
- From the Retroid Launcher main screen, highlight and select the Download button.
- Select the platforms that you want to add.
- Select the Download button.
General Settings
- Scan
- Scanning Mode
- Depth search or not
- Whether to use fast MD5
- Whether to scan subfolder
- Scanning Mode
- 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
- Core List
- Other
- Whether to turn on the operation feedback tone
Update Retroid Launcher
- Make sure your device is connected to the internet.
- Highlight and select the Pokeball-looking icon (second from the left.)
- Select Update.
- If an update is available, follow the on-screen steps to install it.
Apps and Utilities We Recommend
| Utility | Description | Download |
| Artemis | An open source client for Apollo/Sunshine. | GitHub |
| Chdman | A chdman port for Android. Heavily work-in-progress. | GitHub |
| Epic Games Store | Mobile marketplace where you can find, purchase, download and play new games and apps | Direct |
| es-de-android-custom-systems | This is a set of xml enabling custom systems like Switch, hacks of gb,gbc,gba,nes, snes and gen | GitHub |
| Key Mapper | An Android app to remap the buttons on your devices | GitHub |
| MiXplorer | Fast, smooth, beautiful, reliable and full-featured Android file manager with a simple and intuitive user interface. | GitHub |
| Moonlight | NVIDIA GameStream client for Android | GitHub |
| Obtainium | Get Android app updates straight from the source. | GitHub |
| RHCompletion | An Android app for RetroHandhelds GotX completion. | GitHub |
| Steam Link | Stream games from your computer. | Direct |
| Syncthing-Fork | A Syncthing Wrapper for Android. | GitHub |
| UniPatcher | An app for patching ROMs or game files. | GitHub |
Third-Party Launchers
| Launcher | Download |
| Beacon | Google Play |
| Console Launcher | GitHub |
| Daijisho | Google / GitHub |
| ES-DE | Patreon |
| Gamedeck | Google Play |
| Launchbox | Direct |
| RESET Collection | Google Play |
Games and Emulation
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.
Recommended Emulators
| Emulator | Console(s) | Download |
| RetroArch (Nightly) | Multi-system | Direct |
| Dolphin (Dev) | GameCube & Wii | Direct |
| Dolphin MMJR VBI | GameCube & Wii | GitHub |
| Azahar | Nintendo 3DS | GitHub |
| Borked3DS | Nintendo 3DS | GitHub |
| Citra MMJ | Nintendo 3DS | GitHub |
| DraStic | Nintendo DS & DSi | Archive.org |
| melonDS | Nintendo DS & DSi | GitHub |
| Mupen64Plus FZ | Nintendo 64 | Free / Pro |
| Citron | Nintendo Switch | Git |
| Sudachi | Nintendo Switch | GitHub |
| Skyline Edge | Nintendo Switch | Archive.org |
| Uzuy MMJR | Nintendo Switch | Archive.org |
| Yuzu | Nintendo Switch | Archive.org |
| PPSSPP | PSP | Free / Gold |
| DuckStation | PlayStation 1 | Google Play |
| NetherSX2 (3668) | PlayStation 2 | GitHub |
| RPCSX | PlayStation 3 | GitHub |
| Vita3K | PlayStation Vita | GitHub |
| Redream | Sega Dreamcast | Google Play |
| Yaba Sanshiro 2 | Sega Saturn | Free / Pro |
| Cemu | Wii U | GitHub |
| Pluvia | Windows | GitHub |
| ScummVM | Windows / DOS | Direct |
| Winlator | Windows | GitHub |
| Winlator Bionic | Windows | GitHub |
Can You Run ROCKNIX or Batocera?
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.
Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Guides
How to Update
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap System.
- Tap Retroid Pocket FOTA.
- To check for an update, tap the Check Version button.
- 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:
- Save the update ZIP file to a memorable location on your Pocket Flip 2.
- From the FOTA app, tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
- Tap Local update.
- Tap the Select Update Package button.
- Locate and select the necessary file.
- Follow the on-screen steps to finish the update installation.
How to Re-Flash Android
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.
Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Specs
| **** | Spec |
| Screen Size | 5.5″ |
| Aspect Ratio | 16×9 |
| Resolution | 1920 X 1080 |
| Screen Type | AMOLED |
| Form Factor | Clamshell |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 / Dimensity 1100 |
| GPU | Adreno 650 |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR4X |
| Active Cooling | ✅ |
| Internal Storage | 128GB UFS 3.1 |
| External Storage | 1x MicroSD Up To 2TB |
| Battery | 5,000mAh |
| Charging | 27W (5V/9V) |
| Vibration | ✅ |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 (SD865) / Bluetooth 5.2 (D1100) |
| Audio Jack | ✅ |
| Speakers | 2x Up-Firing |
| Ports | 1x USB-C (front), 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack (front), 1x MicroSD Card Slot (front) |
| Video Out | ✅ |
| Controls / Buttons | Hall Effect Joysticks, Hall Effect Triggers, D-Pad, ABXY, Start, Select, Home/Back, L1/R1, L2/R2, L3/R3, Volume, Power |
| Extras | RGB Joysticks, 1080p Video Out via USB-C, Retroid Launcher, Lanyard Loop |
| Dimensions | 140.5 x 89.5 x 24.4mm |
| Weight | 306 Grams |
| Colors | Black, GC, Ice Blue, 16Bit US |
| Operating System | Android 13 |
| Release | 2025-04 |
| Retail Price | $199.99 / $229.99 |
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