Find that the default firmware for your RG552 isn’t quite cutting it? Perhaps you might be interested in RG552 custom firmware. We at DroiX will be cataloguing all firmware that reaches our ears here in this handy guide!
What is custom firmware?
If you’re finding that the features and performance of a device’s default firmware aren’t quite up to scratch, there are usually one of two things you can do.
The first of these is giving up. Locking up the device or even sending it back to the seller.
Meanwhile, the second method, is installing different (i.e., custom) firmware on the device.
Custom firmware is essentially an alternative operating system developed by the community, for the community. Numerous talented developers, hobbyists, and more come together to produce a firmware distribution with any manner of tweaks, fixes, and optimizations.
In our opinion, „good” retro gaming handheld firmware conforms to the following properties:
- It is FREE.
- Paid firmware for emulation handhelds is at best, morally dubious. If features are ever withheld behind some kind of paywall, we’d advise steering clear.
- It’s open-source
- There are valid reasons to make sure that source code is kept away from the general public. However, if a firmware distribution is just a tweak of existing open-source software, we don’t believe that warrants hiding the source code, as it may hinder additional contribution to the project.
How do I install custom firmware on the RG552?
At the time of writing, there are only Linux-based custom firmware builds that run off of external microSD cards available. And the process for updating is the same as can be seen in our earlier RG552 firmware update guide.
If you dislike balenaEtcher, there are alternative tools you can use to flash the microSD card as well. Including Rufus and Win32 Disk Imager.
We highly advise that you attempt any firmware installs on a separate microSD card, instead of the stock one. Unless you absolutely know what you are doing.
The RG552 Firmware Problem
Compared to the RG351 family, the RG552 encounters a unique problem when it comes to emulation. Simply put, Android already has a bevvy of matured, optimized emulators available to download.
Therefore, at this early stage in the device’s lifecycle, it is unlikely that you will actually see any significant performance bumps for running a linux-based operating system over Android. In some cases, the more advanced platforms (N64, PSP, etc.) may actually see slight performance drops.
As the firmware is given time to mature and the developers find ways to optimize the emulators, this is sure to change in the future. But close to launch, we would personally wait a while before committing to any particular firmware just yet.
RG552 Custom Firmware To Keep an Eye On
As firmware is developed/updated for this device, we’ll come back to this article once in a while to add more information/update existing information.
Some of these firmware releases may currently be in BETA or even ALPHA status. Meaning that they are not stable. While there is always the risks that bugs may occur in any kind of software, the risks of critical bugs in non-stable releases are significantly higher. Use them at your own risk.
351ELEC
Type: External/Linux
If you’re familiar with the RG351 custom firmware scene, it is likely you are already familiar with 351ELEC.
351ELEC is custom firmware that focuses on making the user experience as feature-rich and streamlined as possible, without sacrificing ease of use or functionality. If this firmware follows the path of the 351s’ versions, you can expect a myriad of improvements such as pre-optimized games, additional features (such as PortMaster), performance enhancements, and more!
Currently, 351ELEC for the RG552 is in beta status, and can be downloaded from the 351ELEC github page.
More information on 351ELEC can be found on the team’s official website.
JELOS
Type: External/Linux
JELOS (Just Enough Linux Operating System) is a small custom firmware project from the original lead developer of 351ELEC, Fewtarius.
While initially a private project, interest from the wider community spurred them on to develop the firmware as a distribution rather than just keep it private.
Forked from 351ELEC, JelOS will contain a number of QoL changes such as automatic fan control, but will also be smaller in scope as far as features go (i.e., no online updating, some unnecessary emulators removed due to poor performance).
The latest versions of JELOS can be downloaded from the official JELOS website.
[2022/01/19 Update] Due to personal reasons, the developer of JELOS will no longer be openly publishing this firmware, and has taken their website offline as a part of this decision.
The last public release of JELOS can be found at this mirror: https://go.droix.co.uk/RG552-JELOS
[2022/02/17 Update] JELOS is back! This time, you can download the latest version of JELOS from the publicly hosted GitHub repository.
We’ve also provided a mirror of the February 15th 2022 build here: https://go.droix.co.uk/RG552-JELOS
Batocera
Type: External/Linux
The RG552, by default, comes with a custom build of Batocera that has been tweaked by ANBERNIC in order to run on the RG552. However, the Batocera team have also decided to develop their own version of the OS as well.
Batocera is a well-rounded linux-based RG552 custom firmware. It makes use of EmulationStation and RetroArch in tandem. Providing a straight-forward emulation experience. With extra features such as RetroAchievements and online play through RetroArch livening things up.
At the time of writing, it is still in ALPHA status. So expect bugs, glitches. The usual for an Alpha, really.
You can grab the latest version of Batocera from the official website. We’ve also uploaded a mirror of the 23rd of Janurary 2022 build here: https://go.droix.co.uk/batocera-rg552
AOSP
Type: Internal/Android
The Android Open source project is similar to LineageOS in that it is what LineageOS is based on. It is a stripped-down, barebones version of the Android operating system. Straight from the developers of Android themselves.
Because it’s stripped down, it’s much more lightweight than your average build and also lends itself to being much more customizable.
Improvements made in the AOSP distribution include controllable fans, controller tweaks that enable greater compatibility with games, built-in touchscreen-mapping, root access, and even light CPU overclocking. Plus, it runs off of a newer version of Android, making it compatible with many more applications.
Currently, a beta version of the AOSP is available to download for patrons of freelance developer BlackSeraph through their Patreon page. This is the only way to access it currently.
At the time of writing, this is perhaps our favourite RG552 custom firmware alongside 351ELEC. We’ll be making a slightly larger post looking at it in greater detail soon.
Deprecated
Rumours, hearsay, and dead projects. All of these will be placed under the deprecated section.
LineageOS
Type: ???/Android
LineageOS is a free, open-source distribution of the Android operating system that intends to „free” the system from the shackles of Google’s ecosystem. Including the removal of baked in Google Play Store and other proprietary Google applications.
Unlike the „proof-of-concept” 351Droid operating system from the RG351s, the increased performance of the RG552 should enable it to leverage the reduced overhead of LineageOS into faster all-around performance.
It is rumoured that independent developer BlackSeraph has plans to develop a port of LineageOS to the RG552 – as they have ported LineageOS to other recent handhelds as well, such as the GPD XP, and the PowKiddy X18S. At the moment, this is entirely hearsay, but we think they’re definitely worth keeping an eye on!
