Syncthing on Retro Handhelds! Save Sync Guide

I pay for microsoft 365 everything is in "documents", which is on one drive. As long as I sync my device that I was playing on that happened to not be connected while out and about prior to starting the same game on a different device I'll be fine.

As soon as I saw Golden Sun being played I smashed the like button!

Why don't just drag and drop files via ftp?

This is a great tutorial, thank you. I installed it on my Miyoo Mini Plus running OnionOS. The files sync fine between the handheld and Retroarch on my PC. However the state files don't work. I have been trying with some GB games running on Gambatte (ie. Tetris). The state file carries across to the other device, I can see that in the state slot, even the thumbnail is correct. However when I load the state file, I get no errors but it doesn't load to where I was in the game. Just loads to the main menu of the game. Odly the same behaviour happens if I save a state on the PC, and then load it on the MMP. No errors, thumbnail looks correct, but when loaded I don't get the state I was in.
I've given up for now, hopefully someone has an idea?

Good news for RPG fans… though i wish would be simpler…

Different topic but can you use a Dynamic DNS to syncthing? seems like it should be doable? I realize that would change the security aspect but still.

Super helpful. I'll watch again this weekend when I set it up!

I wish there was an easier way just to take your safe files from your SD card and put them in a folder ore something

Is there a similar way to do this with a cfw Nintendo switch?

Is this available for PS Vita?

Use "Sort by Content Directory" if you use different cores on different devices. Also, you can use symlinks for Ryujinx and Dolphin for Android, or any emulator that doesn't let you change save state location

Got this working on iOS with a paid app called mobius sync.

Very good guide, and useful video! I'm trying with an 35xxsp with muos, my smartphone as host, and here comes the tricky part, an anbernic rg505 with gammaOs. With this I'm having problems, because I downloaded syncthing fork from internet, not the play store that doesn't support it, and set it up correctly. Meaning they connect and see each other but the rg505, due to gammaOs, cannot write in the system. It has permissions problems. Did you try, or do you know how to solve it?

Wait a minute, is cloud saving possible on retroarch???? I want to see that !

Is there any way to get it working onionOS?

Edit: there is a way!!! Check out the written guide.

Will this work in ArkOS?

I'm facing some time of problem: I configured my 4 consoles (Miyoo Mini Plus, RGB30, Retroid Pocket 3+ and Miyoo A30) and all of them sync well (just a little problem with RGB30: I cannot make it auto start, I've to launch syncthing after connecting to rgb30 throug ssh), BUT they're always in syncing mode: it's like if the syncing of one invalidates all other syncing, forcing them to sync files again and again and again in an infinite loop…

Does anyone have some suggestion?

Yoo. So I got the Odin 2 pro and was following ur tutorial.. but I got curious and clicked the Odin launcher😩 now I can’t get back to the one you recommended.. any idea how to switch back?

Always have Syncthing server 24/7 if using many devices

I love this is a thing, and that you've made such a good video explaining it all. I doubt I'll need it as I don't really switch devices with retro games, but save syncing in general is awesome.

please help me i used to have LCD steam deck before selling it i store some of my games on external HDD and 512 micro sd

now after buying oled steam deck i want to transfere my games back to intrenal SSD but most of the games have these errors :-

failed to transfere – file is locked
failed to transfere – game is busy
failed to transfere – file is already exsisted

soultions i tried :-
clear steam app cache on desktop mode

run install files intigrity

update the games

they didnt work and i dont wanna format my device it took me time to set it up with decky loader and such …

i would be thankfull for any fix ?

Just some questions
1) Is it possible to sync saves/states to remote drive, like an ftp or gdrive/dropbox/etc? It would be a middle way between local host syncing and direct console syncing, and it would works even if you're out of home or with the pc shutten down. Interesting to use the phone as host.
2) When you use RP4,are you using Is ES-DE? Which theme?
3) Is it possible to enable content directory sorting too? I prefer /states/platform/core structure (or /states/core/platform, I don't remember the correct one)
4) Are RetroArch saves/states core dependent? Because if they're not, you can sort saves/states based on content directory (i.e. "nes", "snes", "gb", etc…) and solve the problem about different cores on different consoles.

Edit 4: saves should't be core depent, but states are.

Will this also work for IOS?

I would like to see a review for devices only with linux os

I am pretty new to Syncthing. I now have three handhelds that I use it with. I use my Android phone as my main hub that all of the devices sync with. Seems to be working great so far. My phone is also syncing my saves folder to my Drive account effectively giving me cloud saves. I use the same autosync app to sync several other Android devices to the folder on Drive.

This video is awesome. I have my games synced now, android, miyoo, windows, steam deck. I also added my iPad to the mix. Shortcuts on the iPad is the way to get the saves from the RetroArch location to your choice of sync program. I used iCloud. I’m really going to enjoy my games now. I’m feeling like a kid who got a Christmas present 😂

Thanks for this, Russ. Recently took on this challenge about a week ago and it took till yesterday to get it all working without “Out of Sync” errors randomly showing up. I used a Synology NAS for main client as it’s always on and lower power usage than my desktop PC. If anyone wants to know how to do that reply and I’ll share some links I used!

Also, I recommend changing “Full Rescan Interval (s)” (edit folder -> advanced) to something like 15 instead of the default 3600 on any MuOS systems. I think there is still an issue with that OS recognizing when changes are made because my RG35XX systems were never syncing on their own which created a bit of a mess. All fixed now that syncthing forces a refresh frequently.

One day il own at least one of these handhelds

Man you are awesome

Hi Russ! I’ve been following DNA Mobile Gaming and this guy has developed a second screen for mobile gaming devices and it’s really cool. You should definitely check it out and possibly do a review on it and let us know what your thoughts are on it. Much appreciated!

Definitely saving this video to use later when I finally get a device.

I guide for syncing saves through cloud would be awesome. I searched over the Internet about it, and the vast amount of solutions and methods it's overwhelming. I couldn't find a "simple easy to follow" guide

@RetroArch is so feature Rich I am surprised that it doesn't have its own Cloud syncing software.

Are you listening RETROARCH DEVELOPERS?

Could it be combined with multiplayer and/or online mode?

Pretty sweeeet

You do not need a host system, or to be on the same network. You can use the matchmaking system without using a relay, and get full-speed still.

Build folder relationships between your target sync devices, rather than using one as a hub.

Oh Russ do yourself a big favor and color correct your GBA games!! IMO makes a World of difference. GBA looks way to saturated without it. Core options/ Color correction / Gameboy advance. Great video Btw

Hey Russ, which other German cities will you visit apart from the Berlin outskirts??? Cheers

I had syncthing set up had my RG35xxH, my PC and my phone, but after 1 or 2 syncs I'd keep getting out of sync errors.

After watching your video though, I think I found my problem. Instead of just adding the folders on the host device and ONLY syncing those, I would do the "add folder" step on EACH device. That would explain why I had so many syncing errors.

Looking forward to trying this again after work! Thanks for the video!

Edit to add: It definitely worked! Got it all set up on my lunch break! Thanks again for the vid, Russ!

41 minutes??

Amazing! I got sync thing set up on a retroid pocket and a windows pc and its wonderful