Since Recalbox 10, the GPi Case 2 (Compute Module 4) smartly manages its HDMI dock: the console keeps separate settings for handheld mode (built-in screen) and docked mode (TV), and the overlay issues on the small screen are fixed.
Modes cannot be switched on the fly: power the console off before putting it on the dock or taking it out.
At boot, Recalbox detects whether an HDMI screen is connected and applies the matching set of settings. Change a setting in EmulationStation: it is only remembered for the current mode — the theme picked while docked does not affect the handheld one.
Default values:
| Setting | Handheld mode (built-in screen) | Docked mode (HDMI) |
|---|---|---|
Theme (emulationstation.theme.folder) |
recalbox-goa2 |
recalbox-next |
| Theme carousel and transitions | current value | current value |
Audio output (audio.device) |
mono: (case speaker) |
HDMI stereo output |
Shaders and shader set (global.shaders / global.shaderset) |
disabled | disabled |
Keep shaders disabled in handheld mode: the small screen gains nothing from them and the CM4 appreciates the savings.
Both modes' settings are stored in /overlay/.configs/gpi2settings.conf — delete this file to get back to defaults (it is recreated on the next boot).
Overlays are now automatically disabled in 4:3: you can install them without breaking the handheld display — they will only apply in docked mode.
While docked, the case's built-in controls remain usable and the sound automatically switches to HDMI; in handheld mode it plays through the case speaker.
All this logic lives in the S15gpi2 boot script, installed automatically when the case is detected — see cases for detection.
A question about your GPi Case 2? Join the Recalbox Discord.