NetherSX2 Guide: PS2 Emulation on Android

With the removal of AetherSX2 from the Google Play Store, now is a great time to show you how to build and install NetherSX2, a superior community fork of this popular PS2 emulation project on Android. I'll also show you how to migrate your save data to NetherSX2 in case you are upgrading from the original.

Quick correction: the reason why my memcard import failed in this video was because you need to pick the main export folder, not the memcard folder itself. Thanks to the NetherSX2 dev for pointing it out! The manual copy/paste method shown in this video will still work, and also will be handy if you are importing memory cards from a different device. Other notes:

- Same goes when updating to a more recent version of NetherSX2: export all of your data, uninstall the old one (while choosing NOT to keep data files), then install the new NetherSX2. Once installed, you can import your exported data.

Ways to support this channel:

Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
01:24 the two NetherSX2 versions
02:49 building NetherSX2
06:02 NetherSX2 installation
07:52 quick configurations
09:00 upgrading from AetherSX2
13:38 frontend demonstration
14:39 summary and conclusion

Theme song written by Jim Gray of Our Ghosts:

^^ use code "RGC10" for 10% off your order

This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only.

#NetherSX2 #AetherSX2 #PS2 #PCSX2 #emulation

[RetroGameCorps]

Hey folks, quick correction: the reason why my memcard import failed in this video was because you need to pick the main export folder, not the memcard folder itself. Thanks to the NetherSX2 dev for pointing it out! The manual copy/paste method shown in this video will still work, and also will be handy if you are importing memory cards from a different device.

Other notes:
- If you previously had AetherSX2 installed and attempt to install NetherSX2 but get an error, it's likely because you have some remaining data files on your device from the previous installation. I recommend connecting your device to a PC using the method in this video and deleting the folder (grab anything you want to save first, like your saves/states). Now try installing and it should work.
- Same goes when updating to a more recent version of NetherSX2: export all of your data, uninstall the old one (while choosing NOT to keep data files), then install the new NetherSX2. Once installed, you can import your exported data.

I'll update with more notes as they come in, thanks!

[mattb]

Thank you for this video! I haven't set up my Retroid Pocket 4 Pro yet, but I heard about AetherSX2 being removed. I'm glad we can use Nether SX2, so appreciate the help of getting it up and running!

[Wika]

I received my Odin 2 Base today, and my only concern was how to install NetherSX2. So your video is timely, thank you!

[anglo-saxonconnor]

This emulator amazes me sometimes. Some triple A PS2 games such as silent hill 2 and ffx are able to run perfectly on even entry level phones with helio g80 processor.

[OceanTechh]

Thank you for doing this, it makes the community grow more, which is what we need more than ever.

[Nighteye]

Just bought a Retroid Pocket 4 Pro not here yet but so glad to see this I wanted it for PS2 mostly... lol ... Thanks so much.

[GameSlayer]

Mister game corps sir, thank you for all you do! Your guide on retroarch prepared me not only for retroarch. I feel comfortable with all of it, thanks to that one informative guide. You're the man!

[matt_HM]

Started setting up my Odin 2 last night with Emudeck but wasnt sure if i should trust its setup, so I am really happy about the timing of this video!

[DrSatan]

Did all of this already on my RP4. Great videos! Keep it up! I added a Syncthing for my memcards export to make it a little easier. Would have loved this video last week lol! Thanks for the great work!

[Heavyshadowsound]

Fist pumping in the air at "yeah, man I wanna do it"

Absolutely excited to check out NetherSX2, playing much more PS2 on my Retroid Pocket 4 Pro than I thought would. Truly one of my favorite systems to play on this device. Cannot thank you enough. Previously had Retroid Pocket 2 and then the Pocket 2+, it's my favorite device from them and very worth it.

[fuentesjuanjose]

Just got a red magic pro 9 with the shadow blade 2. And your video was just recommended to me. Thanks for the guide im ready to play some retro.

[kenwong]

Wow you talk fast. Again very detail and precise tutorial. Great work!

[loicuagio]

I like the way you share. You always include everything your viewers need. Contrary to a large number of YouTubers today, they always prioritize affiliate marketing ! Good Job Bro!

[azenyr]

The thing about the android data folder: you don't need a windows pc, any linux or mac also works for that. But the thing is: many recent android phones with Android 14 like Samsung have even tighter security and permissions over the data folder, so even on a computer this folder will either not appear or be completely empty. And you can't paste anything on it, since this folser is now read only. This is "why we cant have nice things" - malware on android abuses the data folder to scrape and inject data between other apps on your phone, so Google and Samsung are constantly trying to abandon the data folder idea altogether. In recent Android versions malware is getting more and more limited and now it basically cant comprmise any other app on your system, and that is a very good thing. Each app is more and more sandboxed and isolated from others with each release. This makes the system extremely secure, but the data and obb folders are going to disappear eventually. Apps and emulators themselves need to use the newer permissions system to avoid incompatibility. If NetherSX isn't updated, it will not be compatible or usable at all on future Android versions. And since AetherSX is dead, I don't see PS2 emulation on android lasting for much longer, unless we keep these retro devices around with older android versions or a new emulator appears (or development on AetherSX resumes).

As a fix for the new android hiding or protecting the data folder: there are a few file managers on the play store that use alternative ways to gain access to this data folder still. They use the new permissions system and ask the user for access to the folder. One of those is Solid Explorer (paid). The other one is Total Commander (free and very powerful, but a bit ugly). So you don't even need a PC for this.

[jakehbbs]

Sweet timing, my base Odin 2 is getting delivered today so this will be really helpful!

[KlaveR]

NetherSX 2 performance is insane. Now I can play PS 2 games with upscaling 300% higher than the latest Aethersx2 available on the Playstore. I use it on my Poco F5, be aware Poco internal installation security tends to disable the patch from the unipatcher, just disable the installtion security and you are good to go

Playing PS 2 games, with 2k res and higher is a dream come true for me. What a good time to be alive

[freddikins]

Clear, concise and easy to follow. Thanks!

[EpsilonChurchRVB]

Got my Odin 2 Pro a week ago and already got it all fully set up, but this is definitely appreciated for future reference. Setting it all up wasn't hard, but it did take a good few days to do so. Thank you for all your guides and suggestions!

[theshepard]

I ESPECIALLY like how you brought up all the different options to accomplish this. ❤

[exonzigma]

At first I was overwhelmed at the amount of the files, but it turns out to be very simple 😅 thanks for the guide!