Frequently asked questions
Docker, systems, data, security, compatibility: the short answers. Another question? Ask the community.
What is ROMKADE Manager?
An app you run on your computer and use in your web browser. It connects over Wi-Fi to your retro handheld console (Anbernic, Miyoo, TrimUI…) to organize your games, add new ones, launch games, protect your saves and track your play time.
How do I install ROMKADE Manager?
With Docker, on macOS, Windows or Linux: install Docker, download the official compose.yaml file, then run “docker compose up -d”. The interface then opens at http://localhost:8765. The Installation page details each step for your system.
Is my console compatible?
You need a Linux console with an SSH server, or an Android console (Retroid, AYN…) with the Termux app. Anbernic consoles with Stock OS Mod and Miyoo Mini consoles on Onion OS are verified on a real console; Knulli, Batocera, ROCKNIX, muOS, ArkOS, spruce, MinUI and Android have an experimental profile. The Compatibility page lets you look up your console or your firmware.
Does it work on macOS, Windows and Linux?
Yes, with Docker: the same image runs on macOS (Docker Desktop), Windows (Docker Desktop with WSL 2) and Linux (Docker Engine), on Intel/AMD and ARM processors.
Do I need to take the microSD card out of the console?
No. Everything goes over Wi-Fi: syncing reads the card remotely, and adding games copies them straight into the right folder on the console.
Does ROMKADE Manager provide games?
No. ROMKADE does not publish, sell or distribute any game, ROM or BIOS. The app only manages files you already own and copy yourself.
Can I launch a game on the console from my computer?
Yes, depending on the firmware: on Anbernic with Stock OS Mod (including resuming from a save), on Onion OS and on Android (in RetroArch). On the other profiles, ROMKADE Manager can at least quit the running game. The Compatibility page shows what each firmware allows.
Are my saves protected?
Yes. You can copy all your saves to your computer in one click, and every restore starts with an automatic copy of the save being replaced: nothing is overwritten without your knowledge.
Do I need an AI or an API key?
No, it's optional. For game descriptions and the assistant, you can connect Claude, ChatGPT, Mistral or Gemini with your own API key, or a free local model with Ollama or LM Studio, without sending anything over the Internet.
Where is my data stored?
At home, on your computer: the catalog, the settings, the copies of your saves and the secrets (console password, API keys) stay in the Docker data volume. A free ROMKADE account is used to sign in; ROMKADE receives neither your games nor your saves. If you link your console to ChatGPT or Claude, ROMKADE Cloud receives the list of your games (names only): see the privacy policy.
Can syncing damage my microSD card?
No: syncing reads the card without writing anything to it. A missing file is only marked as such in the catalog, never deleted. The console is only changed by the actions you start (adding games, restoring or deleting a save, Bluetooth and controller settings).
Can I use it from a phone?
The interface adapts to phones. With Docker, for security, it is only open to the computer running it. Access from a phone, protected by a password, is available when installing from the source code on macOS.
Is the source code available?
Yes, the ROMKADE Manager code is public on GitHub (RomKade/romkade-manager). You can follow its progress there and report an issue.