KNULLI CFW is Now Available for RG40xx Handhelds: Here’s how to install.

You were told you need to update your RG40xx to KNULLI and you have no idea why. First off whoever said that is looking out for you and secondly some of the benefits are listed at the end of this article if you want to read ahead. It’s not hard to be enthusiastic around the Community Built KNULLI CFW which will provide everything from themes to optimised emulators for your Gaming Handheld. 

There are 2 different ways to install KULLI to your Anbernic handheld. The reason for this is because Anbernic doesn’t share their kernel or u-boot source code. The methods we are going to address here is direct installation to the SD card without extracting the u-boot from your H700 SOC. Don’t worry it’s easier than it sounds and is pretty straight forward. We are going to go through the steps broken down with the best likelihood for success. 

If you don’t already have either of these handhelds you can pick them up directly from Anbernic here:

Purchase RG40xxV https://anbernic.com/products/rg-40xxv?sca_ref=4513977.ow5bzTUDba&sca_source=YTC

Purchase RG40xxH https://anbernic.com/products/rg40xx-h?sca_ref=4513977.ow5bzTUDba&sca_source=YTC

Things you will need:

• SD Card (I recommend 2 New Name Branded Micro SD cards. 1 16gb’ish for the OS and other larger for games)
• You will also need the following tools downloaded
  • 7zip Download: https://www.7-zip.org/download.html
  • Rufus Download: https://rufus.ie/en/
  • GUIFormat (windows): http://ridgecrop.co.uk/index.htm?guiformat.htm
• Computer
• Patients 

1. After you are prepared with everything you need go to https://github.com/knulli-cfw/distribution/releases/ and click the download link for the Anbernic RG40xx. This includes a single build for both the RG40xxV and RG40xxH. Download the zip file. 
2. Format the smaller SD card using GUIFormat (yes it formats to FAT32 and KNULLI uses Linux format but this works)
3. Using 7Zip unpack the firmware file you downloaded
4. Write the image you downloaded to the SD Card
   1. Using Rufus locate where you unpacked the 7zip file and select the decompressed image
   2. Select the correct drive letter your Micro SD card is using 
   3. Click start and grab yourself a snack your half way done
5. Once write is complete to SD card place it into the Int/TF1 SD hole on your handheld and boot the device
   1. An install process will begin could take some time
6. Once installation is complete format your second SD card with GUIFormat
7. Turn off handheld and then insert the second SD card into ext/TF2
8. Power on your handheld now running KNULLI and click start
   1. Select “System Settings”
   2. Scroll down to and select Storage Device
   3. Select your SD card from the options 
   4. You will get a notice that you must reboot for selection to take effect 
   5. Restart your handheld
      1. Start
      2. Quit
      3. Restart System
9. Once system boots up power down and remove secondary SD card
10. Place card in computer you should now see your game folders
11. Place ROMs on the appropriate folders
    1. If you want to use ROMs on the card that came with handheld also place original SD card into computer
    2. Drag ROMs from old SD card to new SD folders created by handheld
12. You will also need the BIOs files from your original SD card which can be transferred the same way as your ROM files 
13. If you have save files don’t forget to transfer those over as well
14. Remove SD card from computer and place into handheld 
15. Power on and enjoy

There is a lot you can do with KNULLI which I will include in a future guide as most aren’t device specific (unless you are using a clamshell like the RG35xxSP). Below you will find a short list of improvements to the firmware through KNULLI. 

Improvements:

• Themes
• Portmaster
• Overlays
• ScummVM
• Pico-8
• Updated shutdown/sleep settings
• Updated Emulators 
• OTA Updates
• Emulation of Additional Systems
• Better HDMI Support 
• Optimized system for better emulation 
• New network tools for joint play
• Syncthing (remote backup tools)
• Screenscraper (download boxart)
• Additional Retroarch access 
• Etc…

I hope you enjoy your “New” new handheld. If you ever want to go back simply place your original SD card into your device and power on. 

GameOn

CellPhish

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