Pantas LauncherAndroid guide.

From first setup to your first game. Follow each step with screenshots from the app.

Setup, Game Import, RetroArch, and Home Screen Widgets

This guide is for first-time Pantas Launcher users on Android. Follow the sections in order to scan and launch games with RetroArch and add frequently used games to a Home Screen widget.

01 Complete the initial setup and grant permissions

02 Place ROM files in the matching platform folders

03 Install RetroArch and download a game core

04 Select a core in Pantas Launcher and launch a game

05 Add a Home Screen widget for quick game access

Example This guide uses the GBA game NeonPhantomDaybreak and the mGBA core as examples. Other game platforms require their matching folders and cores.

ROM file note This guide does not provide game files. Only use ROM backups that you legally own.

Initial Setup

When you open the app for the first time, follow the prompts to choose storage locations for app data and game files, then grant the required permissions.

Choose Storage Locations

STEP 1 Open Pantas Launcher and select Start Setup in the bottom-right corner.

STEP 2 Select Start Configuration to open the storage permission settings.

STEP 3 On the system settings page, turn on Allow permission for Pantas.

STEP 4 Return to the setup guide, select Choose Folder, and choose a location for app data.

STEP 5 Select the destination folder, then tap Use This Folder.

STEP 6 Select Choose Folder and choose a storage location for ROM files.

STEP 7 Select the destination folder, then tap Use This Folder.

STEP 8 Select Create Now. The app creates subfolders in the ROM folder for supported game platforms.

STEP 9 After the folders are created, select OK to finish setup.

STEP 10 Wait for the app to load game resources.

Grant the Required Permissions

STEP 11 When prompted for microphone access, select While using the app.

STEP 12 On the Appear on top screen, turn on Pantas.

STEP 13 Return to Pantas Launcher and confirm that the Game Library displays correctly.

Add ROM Files

Pantas Launcher can scan a game only after its ROM file is placed in the matching platform folder.

STEP 1 Open the roms folder selected during setup. A newly created folder is usually located in the storage root.

STEP 2 Open the folder for the game's platform. This example uses GBA, so open the gba folder.

STEP 3 Move or copy the ROM file into this folder.

STEP 4 Return to Pantas Launcher and select Scan Games in the bottom-right corner.

STEP 5 After the scan finishes, open the matching platform and confirm that the game appears in the list.

If a Game Does Not Appear

If the game still does not appear after scanning, open the platform settings. Under Games settings, confirm that the game path points to the platform folder containing the ROM file.

In this example, the GBA game path is /storage/emulated/0/roms/gba. After confirming the path, return to the game list and scan again.

Install and Configure RetroArch

Pantas Launcher organizes and displays your games. On Android, it uses RetroArch and a matching core to run them.

Install the App and Grant Permissions

Download URLhttps://www.retroarch.com/?page=platforms

STEP 1 Open the RetroArch website and select Download Stable for Android.

STEP 2 After installation, open RetroArch and select OK when prompted to open the file access permission settings.

STEP 3 On the system settings page, turn on Allow permission for RetroArch.

STEP 4 Open RetroArch again and wait for automatic configuration to finish.

Download a Game Core

STEP 5 Select Load Core from the RetroArch Main Menu.

STEP 6 Select Download a Core.

STEP 7 Find the core for your game platform. In this example, select Nintendo Game Boy Advance mGBA.

STEP 8 Select the core name and wait for the download to finish.

Select a Core and Launch a Game

After RetroArch and the core are ready, return to Pantas Launcher and assign the core to the game platform.

STEP 1 Open the GBA platform, then open Emulator settings.

STEP 2 On the Core select page, choose the downloaded mGBA core.

STEP 3 Return to the game list and select a game to launch it.

If a Game Does Not Launch

If the screen turns black after launch, confirm that RetroArch has downloaded a core for the game platform and that the same core is selected in Pantas Launcher. If the game still does not launch, try another core for the same platform.

Add a Home Screen Widget

Add frequently used games to the Android Home screen so you can launch them directly from the widget.

STEP 1 Select a game in the game list, then select Add to widget at the bottom of the screen.

STEP 2 Choose a widget size: Small 2 x 2, Medium 4 x 2, or Large 4 x 4.

If the First Add Attempt Fails

If Pantas reports that the game could not be added, the Home screen probably does not have a Pantas widget yet. Add the widget from the system Home screen, then return to the app and try again.

STEP 3 Touch and hold an empty area of the Home screen to open the widget picker. Find Pantas, choose a size, and place the widget on the Home screen.