Help

Getting the most out of SofaBox on Windows and Android.

Windows setup

1. Run the installer (or the portable version). SofaBox opens in full screen — press F11 to switch between full screen and a window.
2. Press + to add games: import your Steam or Epic library, add any PC program, or add a web page.
3. Xbox controllers: the Guide button brings you back to SofaBox from any game. To stop Windows from also opening Game Bar, go to Settings → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar and turn off "Open Xbox Game Bar using this button on a controller".
4. PlayStation and other controllers: turn on Back + Start = Home in SofaBox's settings, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Home.
5. Want SofaBox ready whenever you pick up a controller? Turn on Start with Windows. SofaBox waits in the tray and jumps to full screen when a controller connects.

Android setup

SofaBox works right after installing. These optional steps make it feel like a console:

1. Allow restricted settings (needed for apps installed outside Google Play): Settings → Apps → SofaBox → ⋮ → Allow restricted settings.
2. Turn on the Home button service: Settings → Accessibility → Installed apps → SofaBox Home button. This lets your controller's Home button (or Select + Start) bring you back to SofaBox, opens SofaBox when you plug into a TV or DeX, makes DeX windows full screen, powers button mapping and mouse mode, and closes the old game when you switch.
3. Battery: Settings → Apps → SofaBox → Battery → Unrestricted. On Samsung, also add SofaBox to Never sleeping apps.
4. Optional: make SofaBox your Home app so the phone's Home button always goes to SofaBox.

Emulators

1. Install the emulator you want (RetroArch, Dolphin, NetherSX2, DuckStation, PPSSPP, Eden …) and make sure it runs a game on its own.
2. In SofaBox: + → Manage emulators → Add emulator and pick the preset. On Windows, point it to the emulator's .exe.
3. + → Scan a ROM folder and choose the folder with your games. Each game gets a tile.

Tips

• RetroArch on Android needs All files access (in RetroArch's app settings) and the right core downloaded in RetroArch first.
• Name ROMs like Super Mario World (USA).sfc to get cover art automatically.
• If an emulator has no preset, choose Custom. On Windows you can add a post-launch macro that presses keys (for example 3000 {F11} for full screen).

Artwork

Steam games and many emulator games get artwork automatically. For everything else (Switch, Epic, Android …):

1. Sign in at steamgriddb.com (free), then open Preferences → API and generate a key.
2. Paste it in SofaBox: Settings → Artwork, then press Find missing artwork now.

You can also set any image yourself: press X on a game → Change cover art.

TV & Samsung DeX

• TV (HDMI / USB-C): plug your phone in and SofaBox moves to the TV, scaled to fit. Your phone's resolution is never changed. Adjust TV interface size and TV safe area in settings.
• Samsung DeX: SofaBox and your games open full screen on the DeX desktop, and SofaBox can open automatically when DeX starts (both need the Home button service).

Controls

• A / ✕ — play or resume · B / ○ — back
• X / □ — game options (edit, cover art, favorite, quit) · Y / △ — add games
• LB / RB — switch tabs · Start — settings · Select — search
• Home / Guide — back to SofaBox from any game
• Android: hold Home / Guide for 3 seconds for mouse mode — the left stick moves a pointer and A clicks, so you can use any app with your controller. Hold again to switch back.
• Android: change what buttons do, everywhere including inside games, in Settings → Controller (for example Share → Screenshot).
• Keyboard: arrows or WASD, Enter, Esc. Mouse: click, scroll the wheel or drag the tiles; right-click a tile for options.

Still stuck?

Email support@otbvision.com with your device, what you tried and a screenshot if you can.