Getting Started

Cocoon is an Android home screen for browsing and launching games. Install your emulators separately and supply your own game files.

Before You Start

You will need:

• Cocoon from Downloads
• At least one emulator or game app
• Your ROMs, grouped into platform folders such as gba or ps2
• A folder where Cocoon can store artwork and themes, plus backups and other data

See Compatibility for supported folder names and Emulator Setup for recommended players.

Set Up Cocoon

On first launch, Cocoon walks you through the main choices:

1. Choose your language.
2. Choose Cocoon or another app as the default Home app.
3. Allow Usage Access if you want playtime and game sessions. Now Playing and Discord activity also need it.
4. Pick a stable folder for Cocoon’s data.
5. Choose a theme and accent color. Then pick a library style.
6. Connect any optional services you use.
7. Select your ROM folder and scan your games.

On a dual-screen device, setup also asks which screen should be the main display.

Library Style

Choose Smart Folders to group games by platform automatically. Simple Mode places every game directly on Home. Changing this later under Settings → System & Advance → Smart Folders Mode resets the Home layout.

Optional Services

• SteamGridDB and ScreenScraper provide artwork and game information.
• RetroAchievements adds achievement progress for supported retro games.
• Steam adds achievements and friends. It also adds chat.
• Discord can show what you are playing.

You can connect these later from Settings → Integrations.

Add Your Games

Choose the folder that contains your platform folders. For example:

Games/
├── gba/
│   └── Metroid Fusion.gba
├── n64/
│   └── F-Zero X.z64
└── ps2/
    └── Katamari Damacy.iso

Cocoon uses each folder name to identify the platform. You can add or change folders later under Settings → Library & Data → Platforms.

After the scan, you can download artwork and descriptions. See Scraping.

Basic Controls

Action	Controller	Touch
Move	D-pad or left stick	Swipe or tap
Open or launch	A	Tap
Open item menu	Y	Long press
Favorite a game	RB	Use the item menu
Open Start menu	Start/Menu	Tap the Start control
Zoom the grid	Configured zoom controls	Pinch

Use the Start menu to add items or edit the grid. Settings also opens from here.

Next Steps

• Home Screen & Grid
• Settings Guide
• Controller Setup
• Game Info & Editing
• Backup & Restore