ArkOS for K36 and Similar Clones

Project Continuation Update

As of September 1, 2025, we are excited to share that the ArkOS project has been picked up by dedicated community members, led by lcdyk0517, who are committed to continuing its development for clone devices. While the original ArkOS-K36 project is sunset and archived, this new initiative, hosted at ArkOS4Clone, ensures ongoing support and innovation for these devices. Stay tuned for further updates on the RetroHandhelds Discord for details on the continued development.

Important Announcement: Project Sunset Notice and Archival

As of August 25, 2025, we are announcing that the community-maintained ArkOS project for the K36, R36S Clones, R36Max, U8 Handheld, and RX6H will be sunset and archived. With the official and mod release of the K36 on the horizon, this project will no longer receive updates or active support. We want to thank the RetroHandhelds community, contributors, and users for their incredible support and collaboration in making ArkOS a viable solution for these devices.

What This Means for Users

• No Further Updates: The current releases (listed below) will be the final versions of ArkOS for these devices. No new features, bug fixes, or compatibility updates will be provided.
• Archive Status: This repository will be archived and maintained as a read-only resource for those who wish to continue using the existing firmware images or fork the project for their own purposes.
• Existing Downloads: The firmware images will remain available for download until further notice, but we encourage users to transition to the official K36 release or other supported firmware as they become available.
• Community Support: While the RetroHandhelds Discord will remain a valuable resource for general handheld emulation discussions, specific support for this project will no longer be provided. Users are welcome to share knowledge and assist each other informally.

Final Release Downloads

Below are the last available ArkOS 2.0 releases for supported devices:

• K36 and R36S Clones: Google Drive

  Mediafire

  MEGA (ArkOS 2.0, 08/11/2025)

• R36Max: Google Drive

  Mediafire

  MEGA (ArkOS 2.0, 08/11/2025)

• U8 Handheld: Google Drive

  Mediafire

  MEGA (ArkOS 2.0, 04/23/2025)

• RX6H: Google Drive

  Mediafire

  MEGA (ArkOS 2.0, 03/11/2025)

Community Maintained Image

If you’re having problems with these images, find us at the RetroHandhelds Discord for community assistance. Note that specific support for this project will be limited post-archival.

ArkOS Wiki

Flashing Guide

Transitioning to the Official K36 Release With the official K36 release and mod support approaching, we recommend users prepare to migrate to the new firmware for improved performance, features, and compatibility. Check the community channels like RetroHandhelds Discord for updates on the release.

Contributing and Forking

As stated in the original disclaimer, users are free to use the code in this repository as a basis for creating their own firmware images. We encourage the community to continue innovating and sharing their work, whether for K36 clones or other devices.

Alternative Firmware Options

For users looking for other firmware options compatible with these devices, consider exploring the following community-supported projects:

• Rocknix: A robust firmware solution for various handheld devices, offering a modern interface and broad compatibility. Rocknix GitHub

• UnofficialOS: Another community-driven firmware providing alternative features and support for retro handhelds. UnofficialOS GitHub

Thank You

We are immensely grateful to everyone who contributed to this project, from code contributions to bug reports and community support on Discord. Your efforts have helped countless users enjoy retro gaming on these budget handhelds. While this chapter is closing, we look forward to seeing how the community embraces the official K36 release and beyond.

Disclaimer

Support for this OS has been provided on a best-effort basis and is now discontinued. We make no guarantee on the support or capabilities of these images. Use at your own risk! We do not provide support or condone the use of preloaded images or ROM packs. These images are provided as-is, and we reserve the right to not support devices or features requested by users.

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