[Feature Request] Update the Google Play Store version of RetroArch and provide separate 32‑bit / 64‑bit builds
⭐ Summary
I love RetroArch and I really want to use it on my Android device, but I cannot install APKs due to restrictions (Family Link / policy).
Because of this, the Google Play Store version is the only way I can install RetroArch — and right now it does not work on modern Android versions.
On Android 12 and so on, the Play Store shows:
“This app is too old for your device.”
This makes RetroArch completely inaccessible for users like me, even though our devices fully support it.
🚨 Problem
The current Play Store build is:
- 32‑bit only (armeabi‑v7a)
- built with a low API level
- outdated and not compatible with Android 12 and further
- rejected by Google Play’s modern requirements
Because I cannot install APKs, I am forced to use other emulators even though RetroArch is the one I actually want.
💡 Proposed Solution
To fix this for all users, I propose splitting the Android builds:
✔️ RetroArch (normal) — 32‑bit
For older devices that still rely on 32‑bit support.
✔️ RetroArch Plus — 64‑bit
For 64-bit devices.
This follows Google Play’s requirements and ensures that everyone — old devices, new devices, restricted devices — can install RetroArch without needing APKs.
❤️ Why This Is Important
RetroArch is an amazing project, and I want to use it.
But because I cannot install APKs, I currently have no access to RetroArch at all.
I had to remove it from my device and switch to other emulators, even though RetroArch is far more powerful.
Many users (especially younger users, school devices, and restricted devices) rely entirely on the Play Store version.
Updating it would give thousands of people access to RetroArch again.
🙏 Thank You
Thank you for your time and for all the incredible work you do.
I hope this feature request helps make RetroArch accessible to everyone on Android.
— Sem
[Feature Request] Update the Google Play Store version of RetroArch and provide separate 32‑bit / 64‑bit builds
⭐ Summary
I love RetroArch and I really want to use it on my Android device, but I cannot install APKs due to restrictions (Family Link / policy).
Because of this, the Google Play Store version is the only way I can install RetroArch — and right now it does not work on modern Android versions.
On Android 12 and so on, the Play Store shows:
This makes RetroArch completely inaccessible for users like me, even though our devices fully support it.
🚨 Problem
The current Play Store build is:
Because I cannot install APKs, I am forced to use other emulators even though RetroArch is the one I actually want.
💡 Proposed Solution
To fix this for all users, I propose splitting the Android builds:
✔️ RetroArch (normal) — 32‑bit
For older devices that still rely on 32‑bit support.
✔️ RetroArch Plus — 64‑bit
For 64-bit devices.
This follows Google Play’s requirements and ensures that everyone — old devices, new devices, restricted devices — can install RetroArch without needing APKs.
❤️ Why This Is Important
RetroArch is an amazing project, and I want to use it.
But because I cannot install APKs, I currently have no access to RetroArch at all.
I had to remove it from my device and switch to other emulators, even though RetroArch is far more powerful.
Many users (especially younger users, school devices, and restricted devices) rely entirely on the Play Store version.
Updating it would give thousands of people access to RetroArch again.
🙏 Thank You
Thank you for your time and for all the incredible work you do.
I hope this feature request helps make RetroArch accessible to everyone on Android.
— Sem