Flashing and Installation Guide for ArkOS v2.0

Here is a step-by-step guide to setting up ArkOS on your R36S handheld device:

Step 1: Download ArkOS Image

1. Visit the ArkOS Wiki Page:
   • Go to the ArkOS wiki page to find the list of devices and download links. Link: ArkOS for R3XS
2. Locate and Download the Image:
   • Find the SD card image corresponding to your device (R36S). The file will be in .xz format.

Step 2: Extract Image File

1. Use a Decompression Tool:
   • Windows: Use 7Zip.
   • Mac: Use The Unarchiver.
2. Extract the .xz File:
   • Extract the downloaded .xz file to get an .img file. The extracted file should be around 8GB in size.

Step 3: Format MicroSD Card (Recommended)

1. Format Using sdcard.org Formatter:
   • Download and use the sdcard.org formatter tool to format your microSD card.

Step 4: Flash Image to MicroSD Card

1. Choose a Flashing Software Tool:

   • Windows: Use Rufus or Win32DiskImager.
   • Mac: Use ApplePiBaker.
   • Note: Balena Etcher is an alternative but might have issues.

2. Flash the .img File:

   • Use the chosen software to flash the .img file to the microSD card.
   • For dual-card setup, a 16GB card is recommended. For single-card setup, use a 128GB (or larger) card.

Step 5: Insert MicroSD Card

1. Eject and Insert:
   • Once flashing is complete, eject the microSD card from your computer.
   • Insert the card into the SD1/TF1 slot on your device.

Step 6: Initial Boot

1. Power On Your Device:
   • The device will automatically resize partitions during initialization.
   • The ArkOS logo should appear after initialization.

Step 7: Switch to SD2 (For Two-Card Setup)

1. Insert Second MicroSD Card:

   • For a two-card setup, insert a blank microSD card into the second slot.

2. Switch to SD2 for ROMs:

   • Navigate to Options > Advanced > Switch to SD2 for ROMs on the ArkOS interface.
   • This will populate both cards with the appropriate ROM folders. Both cards are needed for booting in this setup.

Additional Information for R33S, R35S, and R36S Handhelds

1. Community Maintained Image:

   • It’s recommended to install the Community Maintained Image for the R33S/R35S/R36S, which is pre-updated to the latest ArkOS.
   • Download link: ArkOS for R3XS

2. Alternative: RG351MP ArkOS Release:

   • Download the RG351MP install file and the corresponding dtb files.
   • Flash the image to your SD card as instructed above.
   • Open the “BOOT” partition on the card, and replace the existing files with the ones downloaded.
   • Insert the card into the device and perform the initial boot.

Optional: Using Storage of Both TF1 and TF2 Cards

1. Switch to SD2 for ROMs:
   • Go to Options > Advanced > Click Switch to SD2 for ROMs.
2. Read from SD1 and SD2 for ROMs:
   • Go to Options > Advanced > Click Read From SD1 and SD2 for ROMs.

By following these steps, you can successfully set up ArkOS on your R36S handheld device and utilize its full potential.