Recalbox normally updates itself — see the Update manager. This page details the manual method, useful in three cases:
You need exactly two files, with precise names:
recalbox-<arch>.img.xz;recalbox-<arch>.img.xz.sha1, which lets Recalbox verify the image is not corrupted.<arch> is your machine's internal name:
| Machine | <arch> |
Image file |
|---|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 5 | rpi5_64 |
recalbox-rpi5_64.img.xz |
| Raspberry Pi 4 / 400 | rpi4_64 |
recalbox-rpi4_64.img.xz |
| Raspberry Pi 3 | rpi3 |
recalbox-rpi3.img.xz |
| Raspberry Pi Zero 2 | rpizero2 |
recalbox-rpizero2.img.xz |
| PC (x86 64-bit) | x86_64 |
recalbox-x86_64.img.xz |
| Odroid Go Advance / Super | odroidgo2 |
recalbox-odroidgo2.img.xz |
| Anbernic RG353 | rg353x |
recalbox-rg353x.img.xz |
Both files must bear exactly these names (with your machine's arch): a renamed file or a missing
.sha1, and the update will be ignored or refused. When in doubt, your exact arch name is in the/recalbox/recalbox.archfile on your Recalbox.
On a computer, download the latest version's image for your machine and its .sha1 file from www.recalbox.com/download/stable/allimages/ (or use the files provided by the team if you were asked to test a specific image).
update/Both files must land in the update/ folder of your Recalbox's boot partition (the partition named RECALBOX). Two ways to do it:
RECALBOX (readable on Windows and macOS).recalbox-<arch>.img.xz and recalbox-<arch>.img.xz.sha1 into its update/ folder.mount -o remount,rw /boot
/boot/update/.Start (or restart) your Recalbox:
OFFLINE INSTALL screen, with a progress bar and the words PLEASE WAIT (allow 5 to 10 minutes).MAIN MENU → SYSTEM SETTINGS.Never power off your Recalbox during the installation. If an error screen appears and the machine boots back on the old version: the image was corrupted or incomplete, and the files were automatically cleaned up — re-download both files and start again.
recalbox.conf, SHARE partition) are untouched — this is an update, not a reinstallation.recalbox-user-config.txt, recalbox-boot.conf, CRT configuration) are kept.SHARE partition to temporarily decompress the image (a few GB): make room if it is filled to the brim.This method is exactly what the online update uses — only the file transport differs. See the full menu-side walkthrough in the Update manager.
Need help? Join the Recalbox Discord.