From 6ff2c35b2d3c7f2478005c8deeb32db29840702b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: David Hedlund Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2026 23:34:26 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 1/3] Update install-android.md Use local links for the images and restore my screenshot that I accidentally removed in https://github.com/libretro/docs/pull/1107/commits/7d68c63c59f447fbbe2ea841b8eeb00745937c3c --- docs/guides/install-android.md | 24 +++++++++++++----------- 1 file changed, 13 insertions(+), 11 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/guides/install-android.md b/docs/guides/install-android.md index 7f277ccff7..c1fb746455 100644 --- a/docs/guides/install-android.md +++ b/docs/guides/install-android.md @@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ ## Non-Google Play sources -For installations from outside Google Play, you may need to follow the [Allowing APK installations blocked by Google Play Protect](#allowing-apk-installations-blocked-by-google-play-protect) guide. +For installations from outside Google Play, you need to follow the [Allowing APK installations blocked by Google Play Protect](#allowing-apk-installations-blocked-by-google-play-protect) guide. ### Installation via Website ___ @@ -40,20 +40,22 @@ To install RetroArch from non-Google Play sources (F-Droid, retroarch.com, etc), ### Method 1: "Install anyway" in Google Play Protect -2
+![google-play-protect_-_install-anyway-1.png](../image/guides/google-play-protect_-_install-anyway-1.png) -1 + +![google-play-protect_-_install-anyway-2.png](../image/guides/google-play-protect_-_install-anyway-2.png) * When you select “Install anyway”, Google Play Protect will ask you to authenticate your identity. For security reasons, this step cannot be captured in a screenshot, which is why it's described here instead. If Play Protect still fails to install the app even after you’ve entered the correct password, you’ll need to disable Google Play Protect. For instructions, see [Method 2: Disable Google Play Protect](#method-2-disable-google-play-protect). ### Method 2: Disable Google Play Protect -If Google Play Protect still prevents the app from installing even after you entered the correct password in Method 1 above, which is problematic in older Android versions, you’ll need to disable Play Protect, as it is blocking APK installations. +If Google Play Protect still blocks the app installation even after you entered the correct password in Method 1 (a common issue on older Android versions), you'll need to temporarily disable Play Protect to proceed. + +Disable Google Play Protect: +* Open the Play Store app first +* Tap your profile icon +* Select Play Protect +* Tap the gear icon in settings +* Toggle off "Scan apps with Play Protect" -* Disable Google Play Protect: - - Open the Play Store app first. - - Tap your profile icon - - Select Play Protect - - Tap the gear icon in settings - - Toggle off "Scan apps with Play Protect" -* Install the apk +Once disabled, install the APK — Play Protect will no longer interfere with the process. From b97b6709f3a837ee2a379e27b4c313f02de927c8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: David Hedlund Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2026 23:35:23 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 2/3] Update install-android.md remove new line --- docs/guides/install-android.md | 1 - 1 file changed, 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/docs/guides/install-android.md b/docs/guides/install-android.md index c1fb746455..438dabceb4 100644 --- a/docs/guides/install-android.md +++ b/docs/guides/install-android.md @@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ To install RetroArch from non-Google Play sources (F-Droid, retroarch.com, etc), ![google-play-protect_-_install-anyway-1.png](../image/guides/google-play-protect_-_install-anyway-1.png) - ![google-play-protect_-_install-anyway-2.png](../image/guides/google-play-protect_-_install-anyway-2.png) * When you select “Install anyway”, Google Play Protect will ask you to authenticate your identity. For security reasons, this step cannot be captured in a screenshot, which is why it's described here instead. If Play Protect still fails to install the app even after you’ve entered the correct password, you’ll need to disable Google Play Protect. For instructions, see [Method 2: Disable Google Play Protect](#method-2-disable-google-play-protect). From 520fcc8695954cc84c0b73abc05541e950ba1eb6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: David Hedlund Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2026 03:46:14 +0100 Subject: [PATCH 3/3] Update install-android.md Distinguish F-Droid from Side-loading --- docs/guides/install-android.md | 17 +++++++++++------ 1 file changed, 11 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/guides/install-android.md b/docs/guides/install-android.md index 438dabceb4..d218668c38 100644 --- a/docs/guides/install-android.md +++ b/docs/guides/install-android.md @@ -2,18 +2,17 @@ ## Non-Google Play sources -For installations from outside Google Play, you need to follow the [Allowing APK installations blocked by Google Play Protect](#allowing-apk-installations-blocked-by-google-play-protect) guide. +### Installation via Side-loading +Side-loading means installing manually downloaded APK files on Android (outside official stores).
+You must follow the [installation notes](#installation-notes) for this process. -### Installation via Website +#### From RetroArch.com Downloads ___ 1. Visit the retroarch.com [Downloads page](https://www.retroarch.com/?page=platforms) and select **Download Stable** or **Download Nightly**. 2. Open the downloaded APK (via a file manager if your browser does not prompt you when the download is completed). 3. Select Install. -> * Android may tell you that `the app doesn’t have permission to install APKs`. Click the available `Settings` button in that prompt. -> * In the next menu, turn on the toggle allowing the app install APKs. -> * `Hit the back button` to return to your installation. -#### Other Versions via Buildbot +##### From Buildbot Archives ___ All [stable](https://buildbot.libretro.com/stable/{{ unit.stable }}/android/) and [nightly](https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/android/) bundles are available via BuildBot If you need a specific architecture or build for testing. Builds are named with an architecture suffix: `aarch64` is a 64-bit build, `ra32` is a 32-bit build, and no suffix is a universal build that opts for 64-bit if your system supports it. > 32-bit support on Android is slowly being phased out by the industry, but these builds remain available for older devices or specific use cases. @@ -34,6 +33,12 @@ A more detailed difference between the Play Store versions can be found in [this # Installation notes +## Side-loading + +* Android may tell you that `the app doesn’t have permission to install APKs`. Click the available `Settings` button in that prompt. +* In the next menu, turn on the toggle allowing the app install APKs. +* `Hit the back button` to return to your installation. + ## Allowing APK installations blocked by Google Play Protect To install RetroArch from non-Google Play sources (F-Droid, retroarch.com, etc), ensure Google Play Protect either approves it or disable the service entirely.