RetroCompass
RetroCompass

RG ARC-D — Custom firmware

Quick answer

Button combo

Flash ROCKNIX/KNULLI to microSDboot from SD1·(ARC-D) wipe Android partition first

Steps

  1. 1Decide: keep stock Android with a front-end (Daijisho/ES-DE), or run a Linux gaming OS like ROCKNIX or KNULLI.
  2. 2For ROCKNIX/KNULLI, download the latest RK3566 build and write it to a microSD with balenaEtcher or Raspberry Pi Imager.
  3. 3Insert the card in the SD1 slot and boot; on the ARC-D you must first wipe the internal Android partition so it boots from SD.
  4. 4To wipe: power off with no card, hold POWER + VOL DOWN for Android recovery, then follow the project's ADB partition-wipe steps from a PC.
  5. 5To go back, re-flash Anbernic's official Android image from a PC.
Last verified: 2026-06-20Source: anbernic.com

The RG ARC-D (RK3566) is one of the Anbernic Android units that genuinely supports community Linux gaming firmware: ROCKNIX and KNULLI both publish RK3566 builds you write to a microSD and boot from the SD1 slot. Unlike SD-only models, the ARC-D needs its internal Android partition wiped first (done from Android recovery via POWER + VOL DOWN and ADB on a PC) so it will boot from the card. If you would rather keep Android, just install Daijisho or ES-DE over the top with RetroArch. Everything is reversible by re-flashing Anbernic's official Android image. This is a DRAFT for human review.

FAQ

Can the RG ARC-D really run ROCKNIX?
Yes. ROCKNIX (and KNULLI) have RK3566 builds for the RG ARC-D; you flash to microSD and boot from SD1, after wiping the internal Android partition on the D model.
Will custom firmware brick it permanently?
No. It is reversible: you can re-flash Anbernic's official Android image from a PC to return completely to stock.

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