RetroArch can run on the usual platforms like Windows, macOS and Linux, but it stands alone in that it can support far more platforms beyond just that.
We support operating systems that not even Microsoft and Apple themselves support anymore, such as macOS on PowerPC Macs, and RetroArch being available on Windows OSes as far back as Windows 95.
On top of all that, RetroArch also runs on iOS and Android for tablets and phones, as well as on game consoles like PS2, PS3, PSP, PS Vita, Wii, Wii U, 2DS, 3DS, Switch, and more!
RetroArch is available on many popular store fronts for free, including Steam, Amazon App Store, Samsung Galaxy Store, Huawei App Gallery, Apple Store and Google Play!
The current stable version is: 1.22.1
We recommend the full-fat desktop version if you want all of RetroArch's capabilities plus a built-in updater.
Depending on your convenience though you could also grab a build from any of the App Stores we have published RetroArch on.
Be aware though that the capabilities of these versions may vary so that we can be in compliance with the policies of these app stores.
For instance, the Steam version requires us to host everything on their CDN and the cores we make available have to be provided on Steam themselves, so there is no daily automatic core updater available.
Not sure what version to get? Click on the 'Stable' button below for a stable build, or 'Nightly' for the latest daily release for your platform!
Download Nightly Download Nightly (32bit) Download Stable Download Stable (32bit)Detected OS: unknown
If you're on a modern Windows computer, get this version if you're unsure which version to go with
Installer (64bit)
Installer (32bit)
Download (64bit)
Download (32bit)
Installation video
Compilation instructions (MinGW-W64 MSYS2)
Download (UWP, 64bit)
UWP Certificate (UWP, 64bit)
Visual Studio Runtime Libraries (UWP)
Use this version only if you intend to use this on an old Windows PC running Windows XP or Vista. If you have a more modern PC, use the previous version on the left.
Installer (32bit) Installer (64bit) Download (32bit) Download (64bit) Compilation instructions (Visual Studio 2010)
Use this version only if you intend to use this on an old Windows PC running Windows 2000, Windows Millennium Edition or Windows 98 SE. You should not use this on modern Windows PCs otherwise.
Installer Download Installation video Installation instructions Compilation instructions (Visual Studio 2005)
Due to the nature of Linux, there is no catch-all version. So here are various options provided.
Installation instructions
Download (Snapcraft)
Download (Flatpak)
Download (AppImage)
Download (AppImage) [Qt version]
Installation video
Compilation instructions (Ubuntu)
There are various ways of running RetroArch on a Raspberry Pi. One of the direct ways we support it is through our sister project, Lakka. See the link below.
Download Lakka Installation video
NOTE: The Google Play Store version has not been updated in over a year. We recommend you download and use the APK on our site or get it from an alternative app store instead.
Google Play (Outdated)
Google Play (Plus) (Outdated)
F-Droid
Download
Download (64bit)
Download (32bit)
Installation video
Compilation instructions
The version from the Apple App Store is a reasonably good way to use RetroArch. The only thing it is lacking is JIT support.
Download (iOS 13 and later) [64bit]
Download (iOS 9 and later) [32bit]
Download (Apple TV)
Installation video
Installation instructions
Compilation instructions
Use this version if you are on a modern Mac. You should be running at least macOS 10.13 and/or later.
Download (Universal)
Installation video
Installation instructions
Compilation instructions
Use this version on an older Intel Mac that is running macOS version 10.12 or older. Do NOT use this on a modern Mac otherwise unless you have a specific reason to use it. Use the previous version instead.
Download (Intel)Note: OSX version for x86 32bit will return at a later point in time.
To use this on your Xbox, you must have Developer Mode enabled. It costs a one-time fee from Microsoft
Download Visual Studio Runtime Libraries (UWP) Installation videoNote: We do not have an official Retail version. Libretro/RetroArch has no involvement with any derivative Retail builds being distributed on the Microsoft Store.
Note: This is an unauthorized homebrew port to this EOL (End-of-Life) game console.
Download Download Data Installation instructions Installation video Installation video for Vita TV Compilation instructions
Note: This is an unauthorized homebrew port to this EOL (End-of-Life) game console.
Download Installation instructions Installation video Compilation instructions
Note: This is an unauthorized homebrew port to this EOL (End-of-Life) game console.
Download Installation video Compilation instructions
Coming soon. In the meantime, unofficial versions of RetroArch for PS3 are available elsewhere.
Coming soon. In the meantime, unofficial versions of RetroArch for PS4 are available elsewhere.
Note: This is an unauthorized homebrew port to this EOL (End-of-Life) game console.
Download Compilation instructions
Note: This is an unauthorized homebrew port to this EOL (End-of-Life) game console.
Download Installation video Compilation instructions
Note: This is an unauthorized homebrew port to this EOL (End-of-Life) game console.
Download
Note: This is an unauthorized homebrew port to this EOL (End-of-Life) game console.
Download (3dsx) Download (cia) Installation video Installation instructions Compilation instructions
The Steam version is different from other versions of RetroArch. There is no Core Updater provided, no thumbnail scraping, and you have to download a select number of cores from Steam itself. This is to be in compliance with Valve's storefront rules.
DownloadSteam Link is not automatically built, this is the best version that works for now.
Cores and RetroArch Installation video Installation instructions
This is a web based version of RetroArch. It is naturally far more limited in performance and capabilities than a full-fat version, but it is useful for specific usecases nonetheless if those versions are not an option for you.
Try it onlineStables might be months old. If you want an in-development version, we serve daily builds of RetroArch on our buildbot. We call these 'Nightly builds'. Click on the link down below to grab a nightly for your platform.
Nightly builds contain the latest commits available on GitHub, and the latest enhancements and features are added daily. This version may not be as stable as Stable version because it is built daily, but this does not mean that it is not stable. There are several files you can download in these folders. For a new installation you want RetroArch.7z or the setup package (RetroArch-20XX-XX-XX-setup.exe).
All the above trademarks are the property of their respective owners. RetroArch is not associated with or sponsored by any of them.
You can update the installation by downloading the latest 20XX-XX-XX-RetroArch.7z package and overwriting the executable. If you pick the installer package we recommend to use the default location, follow the installation steps and you should be good to go. You can update the installer version by downloading the latest version and re-running the installer.
