Version 2.0.0 Beta (Pre-Release)

[TriForceX]

This is the first public beta release for Miyoo CFW 2.0 which is aimed to experienced users or those who want to test the software before we make the final/stable release.

Due this is a Pre-Release you should keep in mind that there are things that are not finished or things that are still missing, roughly speaking we are only including for the moment the core firmware files, RetroArch and some standard apps and emulators with test roms.

We have to thank all the people and developers who have supported us, specially to who have made this possible to: @tiopex, @Apaczer, @nfriedly, @Rezzy-dev, @szymor, @gameblabla and everyone from the special thanks section.

---

Major Updates

There have been quite a few changes, updates and fixes, but in general terms they can be summarized as follows:

New TV-Out feature:
Connect to any TV via headphone jack using an A/V cable (usually included in the console).

New USB driver features:
Connect to PC easily via USB to transfer files, use it as external controller and access to terminal console.

New GMenu2X integration:
Reworked and updated main menu system and its features.

Safer File System:
Introduced a new file system BTRFS that allows unsafe shutdown to prevent data corruption.

Built-in RetroArch:
The popular multi-emulator is now included on the CFW with the latest mainline updates.

One for All:
One single CFW image/install file for all the supported consoles.

Fully working Source Code:
This means more frequently updates and patches.

---

Full Changelog

The next list is all the changes, updates and fixes registered on the custom firmware at this point.

• One single CFW image / install file for all the supported consoles
• Fully working and clean source code (this means more frecuently updates)
• Added TV out video support
• Added console support XYC Q8 / SUP M3
• Added support for L2 and R2 buttons on Powkiddy V90
• Added support for secondary button (plus sign) on Powkiddy Q20 and Q90
• Added new first initial boot setup
• Added console variant auto-detection on first boot setup
• Added auto-expand storage for main partition on first boot setup
• Added USB data transfer support from PC via MTD protocol
• Added USB serial console support
• Added SD card custom icons for PC drives
• Added current CFW build version on boot screen
• Added option to disable battery warning
• Added support for 1bit consoles from software (no hardware mods required)
• Added option to configure internal clock (useful for time-based games)
• Added option to configure tearing effect fix
• Added support for IPK packages via OPKG library
• Added screen recording in background via ffmpeg (WIP)
• Added audio recording in background via arecord (silent mode)
• Added auto-start feature on main menu system GMenu2X
• Added per-app input mapping customization on main menu system GMenu2X
• Added new file system BTRFS that allows unsafe shutdown to prevent data corruption
• Added Joy-Map app to emulate connected gamepad inputs to keyboard mapping
• Added USB-Host script to connect external devices (e.g joystick)
• Added USB-MTD script to activate mass-storage (transfer files via USB OTG)
• Added USB-Serial Console script to communicate with you device via serial TTY
• Added USB-HID app to transform your handheld into external gamepad for connected PC
• Added experimental musl build CFW version
• Updated kernel to version 5.15 with BTRFS and USB support
• Updated u-boot to version 2020.07 with USB support
• Updated buildroot to version 2022.02.9 with GCC 9.x
• Updated main configuration files options (CFG files)
• Updated custom bash scripts methods to launch custom stuff
• Updated video backend engine to display splash screen or console logs from uboot
• Updated the entire GMenu2X menu front-end (previously GMenuNX)
• Updated customizable boot splash screen (BMP format)
• Increased DRAM clock speed to 174Mhz
• Fixed screen-tearing issue, enabled through TE-fix setting in GMenu2X (only for ST7789S displays)
• Fixed text overflow on GMenu2X file explorer when screenshot preview is enabled
• Fixed many other small bugs thanks to the core updates (kernel, u-boot, buildroot, etc...)

---

Setup & Install

Requirements:

• Handheld console
  • BittBoy v1, v2, v2.5, v3, v3.5
  • Pocket Go
  • PowKiddy Q90, V90 or Q20 Mini
  • Sup M3 v1, v2 (With F1C100S or F1C500S CPU)
  • XYC Q8
• SD card (2GB minimum)
• PC (Windows, Linux or MacOS)

First setup on PC:

• Download one of the CFW builds from this release or latest one here
  • uClibc build is the current standard at the moment, it has more compatibility with most apps and stuff from CFW 1.3.3 version
  • musl build is an updated but experimental version which aims to improve performance and some other related correctness
• Download a flash tool to write/install the CFW image into your SD card
  • Popular apps such as BalenaEtcher or USBimager serves for this purpose
• Prepare your SD card
  • Initially you need to format your SD card (ideally to FAT32 with default allocation)
  • All partitions must be removed when formatting, you can use apps like SD Card Formatter
  • Is highly recommended to not use unbranded SD cards due it can be corrupted easily
• Flash/Write the CFW image (.img format) into your SD card using the downloaded flash tool

Setup and configuration on console:

• Insert your already prepared SD card into your console and turn it ON
  • Is recommended to have your console fully charged
• Once the first setup begins you will see the next steps (Press start to confirm your options)
  • Auto detect showing the detected hardware
  • Screen test
  • Device selection
  • Confirm device
  • License agreement
  • Auto-expand main partition (Optional)
• When you confirm the console will reboot and the gameboy-like boot animation appears, it means you are done!

---

Important Notes

For regular users:

• Check the version you are using at the bottom of boot screen with the format v2.0.0 CFW=XXXXXX (type) BETA
• To test all your console buttons use IOTester app from here
• You have to manually install the apps you want, for the moment just RetroArch and other few apps were added
• For recommended RetroArch setup read the guide on wiki
• We highly recommend to get the latest versions of apps from resources
• To connect your console to a PC you need to have the console turned ON and an USB charge & data cable
  • Once is connected a new drive named "Miyoo Handheld" will appear, it includes boot, main and rootfs partitions
  • If drive doesn't appear in your PC launch the USB MTD icon on console
  • If for you are not able to connect via USB read the notes "For other developers"
• If you still want to access SD card directly without console USB use this driver
• For unsafe shutdowns, it is necessary to wait at least 5 sec. before shutting down the console to save the in-game state, otherwise the saved state will be lost. (Is still recommended to use the in-game power off option)

For other developers:

• To enable console logs in uboot read here
• To develop apps, games, emulators, and more, you can use the next Docker images with configured toolchain:
  • toolchain-shared-uclibc
  • toolchain-shared-musl
  • toolchain-static-uclibc
  • toolchain-static-musl

Whats needed for the 2.0 public final release?

• Fully CFW testing and its main components on all consoles
• Main menu GMenu2X testing and all of its features
• Testing and update all apps, tools, emus and games
• Update Wiki guides (and website) for 2.0 version and beyond
• Collaboration and support from the community

---

This discussion was created from the release Version 2.0.0 Beta (Pre-Release).

[nfriedly]

This is amazing! Thank you everyone!

A couple of thoughts on the phrasing:

Allowed Unsafe Shutdown:
Introduced a new file system BTRFS that allows unsafe shutdown to prevent data corruption.

I recommend rephrasing this to something like:

Safer Filesystem:
Introduced a new file system BTRFS that reduces data corruption from unsafe shutdown.

I don't think we should recommend unsafe shutdown even with btrfs.

Oh, and

Mayor Updates

I assume you meant to say "major" :)

[TriForceX]

I might recommend rephrasing this, something like "better handling of unsafe shutdown to reduce occurrences file system corruption." I wouldn't recommend an unsafe shutdown even with btrfs.

We added the proper note regarding that "for regular users" at the bottom. is still safe if you wait 5 seconds to let the system save the in-game state. Anyways i updated the note for regular power-off option.

I assume you meant to say "major" :)

Yeah thats the problem with not being a native english speaker 😄 is fixed now!
Thanks for the comments!

[DaemonSlayerZero]

Amazing! ive tested it and it worked very well on my Q90.

FYI ijust posted 2 issues i encountered. #535 and #536

Many thanks for all developers!

[creeperlv]

Great! I have following daily builds on my V90 for months. It works well so far!
However, personally, I would like to see a native GME port be included. I only made retroFW port of GME compile and it can play mp3 files. But because I did not compile the music libraries needed, it cannot play other formats. Besides, I did not adjust key binding, the controls are awkward for me...
Thank you again for continuing developing the system! This project has inspired me to do more constrained programming!

[ash2822]

It works and it's awesome! Thank you! I really love the built-in RetroArch and the new USB tools :)

[ghzeni]

It seems USB MTD is not working on PocketGo V1 😞

[will-ks]

Hi @TriForceX, I just tried connecting my PocketGo to a Windows machine and can confirm it worked fine! So for me at least it looks like the issue was with macOS. Is macOS expected to work with the USB mounting functionality?

[TriForceX]

yea we are aware about that, for the moment you could try to access via https://github.com/ganeshrvel/openmtp or by enabling btrfs https://www.sobyte.net/post/2022-03/how-to-reading-btrfs-partition-files-under-macos/

[austrasien]

I have the same problem with a Powkiddy V90. I'm on macOS. I've tested it with 3 different cables with charge and transfer support. This does not work. The device don't appear, neither in Finder, Disk Utility or with the OpenMTP soft you linked above. Any idea @TriForceX ? Thank you for your help.
When selecting "USB MTD" in APPS, a dark terminal screen pop up then I'm redirected back to the APPS menu and nothing happens on my laptop side.

[ghzeni]

Ok so I re-did the process in order to document all my steps and it is now working flawlessly through Linux.

Some things worthy of mention:

• USB MTD does not "stop" Pocket Go's system, it simply tries to turn off and on something that should already be on. This was a bit confusing to me as I was waiting for it to go into a dedicated screen saying "transfering files" or something.
• I think this time it worked because I didn't resize the main partition through my computer (which used to be part of the process) and did it through pocket go itself.
• Tried a few cables and definitely the one that came pre-packaged with my device is not a data transfer cable.

These points aside, you guys are absolutely INCREDIBLE. Seriously, This is probably the easiest way to develop and play a pico8 game on the go now because it is just that easy to transfer stuff between PC and PocketGo. Amazing work, guys!!!!

[ploupipoulpi]

Hi, v90 on MacOS, same issue, I've tried confirmed data cables, different USB A/C configurations, nothing pops up on the computer.

[stranaha]

Thanks for this! I've been working with a merged image past few days and now I've reflashed with the official beta! The installation process goes smoothly on my V90, but I am having an issue with the MAIN storage partition post-install. It doesn't seem to be formatted as FAT32 after the expansion, thus I cannot access it on my computer (I can access the boot partition just fine). Maybe I'm dumb and missing something.

[TriForceX]

main partition is not accessible anymore directly from sd on windows pc due the driver changes, as we said in the release important notes and instructions you should connect now via usb cable from console to pc.

(if you want still access from sd we left a link for the required driver install)

[stranaha]

Thanks for the reply - USB method will definitely be easier. Appreciate the continued progress on the CFW!

[nfriedly]

A few thoughts after playing with it this morning:

• In the setup process, there's one screen where it tells you what console you selected, and then the next screen after asks you to confirm everything but it just says "Test Variant" or something like that. It'd be nice if these were combined into a single screen.
• I really like the list of cores; we should add icons for each one.
• Gambatte is labeled "Game Boy/GBC" but defaults to the gb folder. Perhaps we should just make two shortcuts for GB & GBC?
  • Or, perhaps we should make every shortcut in the Cores section named after the core, and just put the systems it plays in the description?
  • And/or we could also add a "Systems" or "Consoles" section with shortcuts named after the system rather than the core, and just choose one "blessed" core/emulator per system.
  • I did notice that it updates the shortcut to remember the last folder, that's a nice touch.
  • I still want to add the option of hiding emus/cores/etc that there aren't any ROMs for.
• We should create sub-folders under roms for all of the systems that we include, this would reduce the occurrences of people hitting Wrong name in file/folder creation in MAIN partition #536 (although we should still fix that)
• The USB storage mode shortcut is labeled "MTD", but I think it should be "MTP"
• MTP is kinda clunky compared to USB Mass Storage, but I get why we have to do it and don't really have a better solution.
• I agree that it'd be nice to default to the Cores folder rather than Apps.

[Lambku]

How do I use the tv-out function Im connecting to the tv and the image inst appering in none of the screens, Im using V90, no luck so far.

[TriForceX]

You should connect the console to TV through the A/V cable and then select the "TVOut On/Off" on the console first menu section.
Remember to turn it off before quit your TV and back to your console.

PS: If your TV is PAL and not NTSC you should change TVMODE from 0 to 1 in the options.cfg file on main partition

[Lambku]

Hy tnks for the reply, I was using the second skin and I couldnt see the option tv out, plus, when you create a foulder in the main>roms a lot of chinese characters apper, the games on retroarch doesnt run to me :(

[RUANRUI1995]

Thanks! Perhaps we can add some screenshots.

[Carlos1Costa]

Thank you very much for continuing to put effort into this project. I just tested here. Amazing how fast the Btrfs is, GMenu2x is no longer strugling to load my list of ROMs :)

Here some of the thoughts I wanna share with you guys:

• DEVICE: Powkiddy V90, image 7fc5140, uclibc, Gmenu2X GAMESHOW theme.
• Game Sound is terrible. Crackling and delaying on every game and in different consoles. I tried to reconfigure some parameters in RetroArch config menu but without success.
• Audio volume starts in 70%, but after change and restart the console, the volume returned back to 70%. And it only goes up to 90% (never hit 100).
• Not reporting the battery is fully charged on the icon, even after charging the device until the light goes out.
• The reset button is not working, for nothing. Looks like its not even mapped. START+SELECT is the only one way to return to libretro menu.
• When the device is hibernated, the only way to bring the OS back is to press the start button. But the start button is set to open the gmenu2x settings submenu. So the start button wakes up my device but immediately takes me somewhere else, not where I left before hibernate.
• The menu "apps=" is loading with entries of same appearance, you can't tell which app it is until you click to open. Only Commander, Terminal and Explorer are easly recognized because they get proper loading icons and names.
• in the "cores=" menu, Scummvm is asking to "add backdrop" image.
• in the "cores=" menu there are 2 entries for Super NES SNES9X4D.
• in the "cores=" menu there are several entries for the same RETROARCH Emulators screen, this is confuse.
• in the "settings=" menu there is an empty subsection.
• In the "emvs=" menu there are 2 submenus but they are not loading the icons/names properly, says RETROARCH Emulators screen. One submenu for the RetroArch favorites menu, another for the RetroArch last game played quick start. Please note that "favorites=" has the same functionality as one this submenus inside "emvs=".
• In the "emvs=" menu, in the RetroArch favorite menu, when I click on it loads the first game in my favorites list and there is not a option to page into my list of favorites.
• "games=" menu is completely empty.
• RetroArch needs a complete/separate post. But one thing that looks like good idea to say right now is a suggestion to turn on the option "Quit on Close Content" by default, this will avoid navigating into 2 submenus to close RetroArch, instead immediately returning back to Gmenu2X when the user just want to close the current ROM content.
• I need to say that I tried hard to corrupt the microsd FS without success. I turned of the console when hibernated, when looking into Gmenu2X, even when playing a game. The FS always boot correctly and without interruptions. Kudos for you guys, really huge improvement!

Best regards,
Carlos.

[nfriedly]

The reset button seems to work on my v90. There was one time where it didn't seem to wake up the screen, but I was also transferring over a ton of files at the same time, so it might have just been lagging. The next time I tried it, it woke up the screen after a brief pause (3-4 seconds).

It worked for me in game to bring up the retroarch menu each time I tried it.

[Carlos1Costa]

Don't know, may be different versions. Mine is a yellow version. The reset is completely useless here. To return to RetroArch menu I have to use SELECT+SART keys together (or R2 button).

Quick question, did you tested uclibc or musl version?

[nfriedly]

uclibc version.

[pulpoxd01739]

Ayuda, lo configuré con los colores invertidos y no se cómo cambiarlos

[TriForceX]

que consola?

[xlunarys]

I have the bittboy v1 with NXHope, how do I update to this version?, I insert the SD and the screen goes black ;( do I need to go back to stock or how can I install the update

[Baodejia]

Hello, Thanks guys for your work.
I just instaledl the custom firmware on Powkiddy Q90 and V90 run very well (SNES, GBA, and 32X) with standalone emulator between 912 and 936Mhz.
I add the emulators from Miyoo CFW 1.3.3 on 2.0, the emulators run but with Q90 you can't exit from game or go to menu (with (-) button), but with V90 you need to press R2 to exit game/ access menu (not ideal).
It seems with PS1 ISO or BIN games, some games run fines (25fps) but there is always micro stutter when playing (I reduce the cpu frequency but it is the same issue), it seems access time is not good as FAT partition (i don't have this problem with 1.3.3 CFW at 900Mhz)
Retroarch gaming work with light system but is not best for other. (sorry for my bad english)
Q90 is better for overclocking than V90. (Q90=936Mhz stable for emu, V90=864Mhz stable for emu)
Gmenu2X need to add 900Mhz, there is 864Mhz and 912Mhz, 900Mhz work with V90

[aksenav2]

Thank you for continuing to develop the firmware.
I have an XYC Q8 console.
The firmware installed correctly and without any problems.
The video driver, compared to the alpha version of the firmware, is much better - the display noise has disappeared.
But there is a huge and unpleasant drawback - tiering, gaps and not very pleasant to play games.
Also, the PC does not see the console if connected via cable, it is displayed as an unknown device. Only Linux can see a flash drive, but not everyone has such a system on their computer.

[Timman6866]

I was able to resolve this by not using RetroArch and installing gpSP directly.

[Timman6866]

===EDIT===

I resolved this by using the independent gpSP emulator. The bundled version as well as the latest version of RetroArch has terrible gpSP performance compared with the stand-alone emulator.

=========

Hey guys! Thanks for all the hard work. I love that there's a robust filesystem now. Feel much more confident my 9yo isn't going to corrupt his storage.

I do notice that on my PKv90s the 2.0 release is much slower at emulation. I've flashed the uClibc and musl images and the experience seems the same. It's very obvious on games with a clock timer (like Tony Hawn Pro Skater 2). I've tried launching through retroarch as well as the core directly. Tweaked lots of settings etc didn't seem to make a difference. Attempted on two v90s. Sock firmware and CFW 1.3.3 do not have the issue.

Please let me know if you need me to do any testing. Happy to help!

[kalleeh]

First of all, thanks for the awesome work on such old hardware.

I'm running into some issues with the BittBoy V2, flashed both uClibc and musl. Both boot fine but screen is flipped, and it says "Auto-detected V90/Q90/Q20/PocketGo ST7789S controller" but controls doesn't work at all on the "Test Video" screen that offers to flip the screen. Then just goes into a reboot and starts all over again.

Any ideas or anything I can test? Thanks!

[kalleeh]

For anyone wondering I fixed it by adding "bittboy2x_v2" in the console.cfg file on the MAIN partition.
Seems the autodetect isn't working properly for my device however.

[TriForceX]

Sorry for the late, yea he we had some reports about bittboy v2 not getting detected properly, this happen mostly because many bittboy v2 had mixed/hybrid hardware, or some parts from others consoles... but there are some ways to address that. (by console.cfg if you passed the first setup or by forcing it by custom bash scripts).

[RickGames]

I loved this update, but I had to go back to the previous one since transferring the files with the new system has become too long, I hope they correct it

[TriForceX]

You can still use SD card method to transfer files, you just need to install a driver for it in your PC (check the first 2.0 beta readme)

[aeiadreams]

Please add any music player and video player like the previous version or maybe add a better music player and video player thanks

[TriForceX]

yes, this is actually planed for futher releases

[aeiadreams]

please let end-users choose what apps and emulators they wanted to install make it like an installers like APK on android, i dont really know how to add emulators and apps here on 2.0.0 and your resources doesnt have tutorials on installing the files from there and make the apps read roms faster for example, if you have a thousands of roms it will take longer to read files, the only way i know to solve this i make a folder with sorting names from A to Z

please let make this happen on final release thank you very much

[TriForceX]

yea this is planned for futher updates, in the cfw the APK-like installer are called IPK and is currently supported on 2.0, but now we need to package all apps into IPK installer format, so please be patient, we still looking for the best way to distribute them, but it will happen for sure.

[aeiadreams]

in that case ik started to think that the official release will be in the next 1 to 2 years, but its fine .. im having difficulties on what folders and files should i copy on a app or emulator to transfer to 2.0

[aeiadreams]

I wanna share something. Since we dont need partition wizard to extend the main partitions. We dont really need PC to flash the image too. I use otg type c on my Android 13 device and I use apps. Etcher for flashing the 2.0 image and total commander to transfer files while powkiddy v90 is conneted to my phone (Not PC) its more faster transfer files than connecting it to pc

[aeiadreams]

Etcher App

• For flashing Miyoo 2.0 Image

Paragon NTFS/FAT App

• For mounting the drive (but you cannot mount btrfs file system)

Total Commander

• For transfering files, (You can browse folders on powkiddy V90 using android just go to total commander

[aeiadreams]

since not all of us has a computer running windows, I use android to flash miyoo 2.0 no need SDCard Formatter, and total commander for transfering files via cables

(No Need PC)

[TriForceX]

mm the only one i can find is EtchDroid, but nothing like "Etcher App" (or Balena Etcher related) 👀

[aeiadreams]

yes thats the app that im using to flash the latest 2.0 cfw

[aeiadreams]

[aeiadreams]

And also, I got Bluescreen on windows 11 after the Btrfs drivers installationas

[TriForceX]

Can you tell us when you got the bluescreen? also the error code of it?

[aeiadreams]

no error code just bluescreen then restart no error codes no icons no fonts it's nothing .. maybe yhe btrfs driver is not compatible on my laptop also, since we dot need to extend the partitions, i am planning to use my android phone to flash the image and copy roms to it. im still waiting for the final release, my powkiddy v90 is now useless im tired of flashing 1.3.3 all over and over again, its still corrupts even you shutdown the device on settings properly it still corrupts the system no matter how many time i change my sd card

[aeiadreams]

Do you have the estimate release date?

[aeiadreams]

i hope you release the final 2.0 as soon as possible because anbernic rg36xxsp is now available on the market. i will not give up on powkiddy v90 as soons you release the final official miyoo cfw 2.0.0

[TriForceX]

As we have said before there is no ETA and there will be no release dates... we are not in a hurry and we are not trying to compete with other consoles in the market, it is not our focus or goal... the few developers that contribute to this project have their own lives and free time is scarce in most of us, so things are done in the free time of each one of us. I hope you understand 😃

[aeiadreams]

also, add message on screen when to flip the shutdown on hardware

[TriForceX]

This already has been discussed here! #244

[sweed1986]

Hi i have bittboy v1 and it seems to work but it wont recognize the device properly and the controls are a mess,
cant change tabs and when pushing left it shows power off rather than going left.

[aeiadreams]

do you wanna try perform a new flash with miyoo 2.0?

[TriForceX]

You may have a console with mixed hardware from other console variants, i recommend you to try to set a different keyboard layout (buttons) by enabling MODULES_CUSTOM to 1 (editing options.cfg with a text editor) and then edit normalboot.custom.sh and add the next line: miyooctl -k 1 and start testing which one works from values 1 to 7. you have to restart the system once you edit the files.

[braddatz]

Does anyone else with joypad buttons errors? I have powkiddy v90 using the uClibc Image. The "Triangule" in configuration is "X" but when you resume the gameplay it changed to "Square", "Y", you look back at menu and everything is right, also select doesnt work.

[Sal1971]

excellent changes but it is also necessary to change the music and video players for better ones with more current video codecs such as h264 in the previous 1.3.3 system, only the mp4 videos with the mpge-4 codec look good but the files are heavy in video and audio, a player with an equalizer and a better audio controller for this system would be great. I hope they can incorporate new audio and video players.