setup

How to Track Play Sessions on muOS with RetroShelf

Install the RetroShelf plugin on any muOS device (Anbernic RG35XX, RG34XX, TrimUI, and 10+ more) to automatically sync every play session to your collection.

4 min

What you need

muOS device with WiFiRetroShelf account

Install the plugin

1

Download the plugin

Download the latest .muxapp file for your muOS device.

2

Enable User Init

Go to Configuration › General Settings › Advanced Settings and enable User Init Scripts. This allows RetroShelf's boot script to retry any sessions that failed to sync while offline.

3

Copy to your SD card

Copy the .muxapp file into the ARCHIVE/ directory on your SD card.

SD:/ARCHIVE/retroshelf-muos-v*.muxapp
4

Install from Archive Manager

On your device, open Archive Manager and install the RetroShelf archive. This installs the app, sync hooks, and boot script.

5

Launch and link your device

Open RetroShelf from the Apps menu. Press A to start the linking flow. A 6-character code appears on screen.

On your phone or computer, go to retroshelf.org/link and enter the code. Your device confirms the link automatically and imports your existing play history.

6

Play games

That's it. Every game session syncs to RetroShelf in the background when you exit. No manual tracking, no extra steps.

How sync works

After every game

A hook runs automatically when you quit a game. It reads the session duration from muOS's built-in play tracker and sends it to RetroShelf.

On boot

A catch-up sync retries any sessions that failed, for example if WiFi was off when you last played.

First sync

When you first link your device, all existing play time is imported automatically. No separate step needed.

Offline resilient

If WiFi is unavailable, sessions are saved locally and synced on the next opportunity. Nothing is lost.

Compatible devices

The RetroShelf plugin works on any muOS device with WiFi. This includes all of the following:

Anbernic

TrimUI

Other

Don't see your device? If it runs muOS and has WiFi, the plugin should work. The steps are the same for all muOS devices.

Troubleshooting

Sessions not syncing after games

Verify that the sync hooks are installed. Relaunch RetroShelf from the Apps menu. The app re-installs hooks automatically on every launch.

Boot sync not working

Make sure User Init is enabled in muOS Advanced Settings. The boot script uses this to retry failed sessions and re-patch hooks on startup.

After a muOS update

Hooks self-heal on the next boot via the boot script. If any sessions were missed during the update, open RetroShelf and press A to trigger a manual sync.

Ready to start?

Set up in under 5 minutes

Download the plugin and link your muOS device.

FAQ

Does the RetroShelf plugin need WiFi to track play time?

WiFi is only needed for syncing. If WiFi is unavailable, sessions are stored on the device and synced automatically the next time WiFi connects. Nothing is lost.

What happens to my play sessions after a muOS update?

The plugin's boot script re-installs sync hooks automatically after a muOS update. If any sessions were missed, launch RetroShelf from the Apps menu to trigger a manual sync.

Does the plugin import my existing play history?

Yes. When you first link your device, all your existing play time tracked by muOS is imported automatically alongside new sessions. There's no separate import step.

How do I uninstall the RetroShelf plugin?

To unlink, go to Settings on retroshelf.org and revoke the device. To remove the plugin, delete the RetroShelf folder from your applications folder on the SD card.

Will the RetroShelf plugin slow down my device?

No. The sync runs in the background after you exit a game. It doesn't affect gameplay and finishes in a few seconds.

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