XenDroid Setup Guide

Learn how to set up XenDroid, configure custom Vulkan drivers, map physical controllers, and manage DLC & title updates on Android.

What is XenDroid & Device Requirements

XenDroid is an Android port and fork rebased on Xenia Edge with a native Kotlin backend. Aimed at accuracy and ongoing compatibility updates, it enables users to play Microsoft Xbox 360 titles directly on powerful smartphones and handheld consoles.

Because Xbox 360 emulation demands substantial processing power, performance relies heavily on your device hardware and GPU drivers.

Recommended Device Specifications:

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 8 Gen 3, or 8 Elite recommended).
GPU: Adreno 740 or higher (required for custom Turnip driver support).
Operating System & Memory: Android 11 or higher with at least 8GB of RAM.
Storage: Fast internal storage or a high-speed microSD card formatted for Android.

Game Formats & Directory Setup

Before launching XenDroid, prepare your legally owned Xbox 360 game dumps on your device's internal storage or SD card. We recommend creating a dedicated folder such as ROMs/xbox360 to keep your game library organized.

Supported Game File Formats:

Uncompressed ISO image files (.iso).
ZAR compressed archive files (.zar).
Extracted Xbox 360 executables (.xex).
Games on Demand container folder chains (GOD / Content directory structure).
Note: Archived formats like .zip or .7z must be uncompressed before XenDroid can detect them.

Installing XenDroid & Initial Configuration

Follow these quick steps to install the emulator and scan your game library:

Step-by-Step Installation

Download the latest .apk release directly from the official XenDroid GitHub Releases.
Install the APK on your Android device and open the app.
When prompted, grant All Files Access permission so XenDroid can scan your game files.
Tap Set game folder on the main screen, navigate to your ROMs/xbox360 directory, and select Use this folder.
Your installed titles will automatically populate on the main game dashboard.

Graphics Settings & Custom Vulkan Drivers

For Qualcomm Snapdragon devices, using custom open-source Vulkan drivers (Turnip drivers) is critical to bypass stock driver bottlenecks, dramatically improving FPS and fixing visual glitches in demanding games.

Configuring Custom Drivers

Download matching Adreno/Turnip GPU driver ZIP files (e.g., Turnip Gen8 series) from Adreno Tools Drivers.
In XenDroid, tap the Settings icon at the top right, then select Vulkan.
Scroll down to Custom Vulkan Driver, tap it, navigate to your downloaded driver ZIP file, and select it.
Return to Settings and select Display. Enable Show debug overlay to monitor real-time framerates and memory usage during gameplay.

Controller Mapping & On-Screen Controls

XenDroid supports built-in touch screen controls as well as physical Bluetooth, USB, and Android handheld gamepads (such as AYN Odin or Retroid Pocket controllers).

Mapping Physical Controls

On the main menu, tap the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
Select Key mapping from the menu.
If any buttons or D-pad directions are unmapped, select the input prompt on screen and press the corresponding button on your physical gamepad.

Per-Game Settings, Patches & DLC Management

XenDroid allows you to customize settings on a per-game basis, apply community title patches, and manage extra content packages.

Game Options & Tweaks

Per-Game Settings: Press and hold any game icon on the main menu to open its dedicated options menu. Adjustments made here apply only to that specific title.
Game Patches: Inside per-game settings, tap Game patches to view available title patches (e.g., 60 FPS unlocks, disabling Depth of Field, or resolution scale overrides).
Manage Content (DLCs & Updates): Tap Manage content, then tap the + icon at the top right. Browse to your DLC or Title Update files to install them directly to XenDroid's virtual hard drive.