Track play sessions on Android with retroshelf
Install the retroshelf Android app to automatically track every game you play on Retroid, AYN, Ayaneo, and other Android handhelds, and sync it to your collection.
What you need
Set up retroshelf
Install the retroshelf app, link it to your account, and start playing. The whole setup takes a few minutes.
Install the app
Install it one of two ways. Pick whichever you prefer.
Add to Obtainium. Obtainium installs the app from our GitHub releases and keeps it updated automatically. The best option if you want hands-off updates.
Or manually add to Obtainium
- 1Open Obtainium and tap Add App.
- 2Paste this into App source URL:
https://github.com/retroshelf-org/android - 3Tap Add. Obtainium installs from our GitHub releases and keeps it updated.
Download the APK. Grab the latest release and install it yourself. You'll need to repeat this when a new version ships.
Follow the on-screen setup
Open retroshelf and follow the setup it walks you through: granting the permissions it needs and linking your account. When prompted, go to retroshelf.org/link on your phone or computer and enter the code shown in the app.
Play games
That's it. Start playing and retroshelf tracks your sessions automatically, then syncs them to your collection. How it tracks depends on your launcher, explained below.
How tracking works
retroshelf tracks your play time in one of two ways, depending on how you launch your games. Both run automatically once the app is set up.
ES-DE launcher
If ES-DE is your launcher, you're done. retroshelf reads your ES-DE play history and syncs every session in the background. Nothing to configure, nothing to tap.
Emulator tracking
Using a different launcher, or no launcher at all? Turn on Emulator tracking and retroshelf detects every emulator session for you. The only thing you do is confirm which game you were playing when the app asks.
Either way, sessions you record offline are saved on the device and synced the next time you're online, so nothing is lost. And when you install through Obtainium, the app keeps itself up to date with each new release.
Tracking stopped?
If new sessions stopped showing up on your shelf, open retroshelf on the device. The home screen says OK when tracking works, and NEEDS ATTENTION with a list of what to fix when it doesn't. Each item has a button that opens the right Android setting. Come back to the app afterwards and the item turns green.
Finish setup
Tracking only starts once setup is done. If the app shows Finish setup, tap it and grant what's missing. App tracking needs Usage access (to see when a tracked app starts and stops) and Notifications (to ask which game you played). Android sometimes turns usage access off after an update, so check it first.
Battery optimization
Android's battery optimization can stop retroshelf from running in the background, so sessions are never checked or uploaded. Tap Fix next to Battery optimization, then set retroshelf to Unrestricted or Don't optimize. Some manufacturers add their own battery managers on top:
- Samsung: Settings › Battery › Background usage limits. Make sure retroshelf isn't under Sleeping apps or Deep sleeping apps.
- OnePlus: Settings › Battery › Battery optimization › retroshelf › Don't optimize. Also lock retroshelf in the recent apps list.
- Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO: Settings › Apps › retroshelf › Battery saver › No restrictions, and turn on Autostart.
Background restriction
If you restricted retroshelf's background activity, Android blocks the work it does while you play. Tap Fix next to Background activity and allow it.
Waiting for Wi-Fi
retroshelf uploads over Wi-Fi by default. On a phone hotspot or mobile data, sessions wait on the device, and the app shows Waiting for Wi-Fi with the number of sessions queued. Connect to Wi-Fi, or turn on Also upload on mobile data in the app's Settings. Nothing is lost while it waits.
Sessions that need a game
With App tracking, retroshelf asks which game you played before it uploads a session. Sessions you haven't matched yet stay on the device. Tap N sessions need games on the home screen and pick the games.
The link expired
If the home screen says NOT LINKED, the device was unlinked from your account (for example, revoked in Settings on retroshelf.org). Tap Link again and enter the new code at retroshelf.org/link. Sessions recorded in the meantime stay queued and upload once the device is linked.
Troubleshooting
The Obtainium button does nothing on desktop
That's expected. The link opens the Obtainium app, which only exists on Android. Open this page on your handheld or phone, or download the APK directly instead.
Set up in under 5 minutes
Install the app and link your Android device to start tracking.
Questions
Which Android devices does the retroshelf tracker work on?
Any device running Android 10 or later. That covers Android retro handhelds like the Retroid Pocket, AYN Odin, and Ayaneo Pocket, as well as regular Android phones and tablets.
Does the retroshelf app need root?
No. The tracker uses the standard Android usage-access permission to see which emulator is in the foreground. No root, no custom ROM.
What is Obtainium and why would I use it?
Obtainium is a free, open-source app installer that pulls updates straight from a GitHub project's releases. Add retroshelf once and Obtainium keeps it up to date automatically, with no store account and no manual re-downloads.
Does the app track play time in the background?
Yes. Once you grant usage access, retroshelf records a session whenever you play in a supported emulator and syncs it the next time you are online. You do not need to keep the app open.
How do I unlink or remove the app?
To unlink, open Settings on retroshelf and revoke the device. To remove the app, uninstall it from Android like any other app.