Anbernic RG556 Setup Guide

Buy the Anbernic RG556 here: https://joeysrh.link/ANB_RG556

Recommended Accessories

Initial Setup Guide

  • Prepare SD Card (Android): You can prepare your SD card ahead of time. Follow the steps on this page, and that will get you all setup to get everything you need before getting your device.

Recommended Settings

  • Play Store (Android): Sign in to the Play Store and do any updates that are in the app.
  • FOTA Update: Use this app to update your device to the latest version from Anbernic.
  • Ambient Light: Swipe down from the top, swipe over and you should see a quick panel toggle called Ambient Light. That controls the LED lights. If you push and hold on the toggle, you’ll get options to adjust the lighting.

Recommended Emulators

RetroArch – PS1 & Under

For RetroArch, you want to use the Stable build, not the version off the Google Play Store. RetroArch will be your emulator of choice for everything under and including Sony PlayStation 1.

Click here for my RetroArch setup guide, which includes recommended cores and more.


M64Plus FZ Pro – Nintendo 64

Unfortunately for Android, a lot of games are broken on RetroArch for Nintendo 64. It’s a shame as that’s the only way you can enable Retro Achievements. There are a few games that work just fine, Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64 etc., but most games will have a lot of texture issues and more (Mario Golf, Pokemon Snap etc.)

You’ll want to use M64Plus FZ Pro off the Google Play Store, and the paid version over the free.

Click here for my M64Plus FZ setup guide


PPSSPP – Sony PlayStation Portable

For Sony PlayStation Portable emulation, the best emulator for Android is PPSSPP from the Google Play Store. The paid version is only required if you want to support the developer, otherwise there’s no difference.

Click here for my PPSSPP setup guide.


Dolphin – Nintendo GameCube & Wii

For Nintendo GameCube and Wii, the best emulator for Android is Dolphin and the Beta version from the Google Play Store. It’s very important that you enable/enroll in the Beta version on the Play Store page, as that will give you the most up to date version of the emulator, which matches the development version on their website.

Click here for my Dolphin setup guide.


NetherSX2 – Sony PlayStation 2 – Current

For Sony PlayStation 2 emulation, the current and best version is NetherSX2 – Current.

Click here for my NetherSX2 setup guide.


Lime3DS – Nintendo 3DS

For Nintendo 3DS emulation, the best and current version is Lime3DS.

Click here for my Lime3DS setup guide.


CEMU – Nintendo Wii U

For Nintendo Wii U emulation, the best and current version is CEMU.

Click here for my CEMU setup guide.


Pico-8

Click here for my Pico-8 on Android setup guide.

Recommended Frontends

Remap R button

Special thanks to hallstudios on Reddit for this!

  • As default, the R button in the bottom left opens Anbernic’s RGLauncher frontend, and if you’re using a different frontend, no one wants that.
  • Download & Install Root Uninstaller from here: https://root-uninstaller.en.malavida.com/android/ (be careful of ads, the download link is the big green one).
  • Open the app on your device, click Search top right and search for RGLauncher. Tap it and then select Disable.
  • Head to the Google Play Store, download and install Buttons Remapper: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.irishin.buttonsremapper
  • Open the app, go through the setup, make sure that you enable it as an accessibility app. Then, click the plus icon bottom right, change Key to F10, Action to whatever you want that button to do now, I personally mapped it to open my frontend ES-DE, then click OK.
  • Then, head to Android settings, Apps, See all apps, Buttons Remapper, Battery, set to Unrestricted.
  • And you’re done!

Teardown & Replacing the stock sticks

10 thoughts on “Anbernic RG556 Setup Guide”

  1. Please help!! I’m not very tech savvy, just got an rg556 and I can’t get any ps2 games that I’ve put on to work. I’ve downloaded the rom and moved it on to the PS2 folder that was already on the SD card that came with the console. The game then appears on the ambernic ps2 section but when I try to play it, the screen turns to the PS2 “please insert disc”. I’ve downloaded about 7 games and they all do it. Thanks Steve.

    Reply
  2. Hi, when I shut down or turn off Anbernic RG556, the LED lights around the joysticks come on. This drains the battery completely within 3 days of non-use. Is there any way to turn off the LED completely without it coming back on after shutdown?

    Reply
  3. Hi I followed all the instructions but ps1 controls don’t seem to work. The x button goes to retro arch and start button goes to dijisho. Hope you can help I’m so confused

    Reply
  4. Thanks for the guide!
    One question: Can I use the Ugreen or Anker 65W PD charger with a USB C-to-C to charge thd RG556?
    I am just asking because the manual states 5V 2A.

    Thanks!

    Reply

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