Popular Games People Set Up With My Boy!
Each title below links to a setup or troubleshooting guide on this site — not a ROM download. You'll need your own legally-obtained game file to play.
Is My Boy! Safe & Legal to Use?
A common question from new users — here's the honest breakdown of what's legal, what isn't, and how to stay safe when downloading emulator files.
The Emulator Itself
My Boy! is emulator software — it's just a program that mimics GBA hardware. Emulators themselves are generally legal, and My Boy! is available directly on the Google Play Store.
- Always download the official app from Google Play when possible
- If using a third-party APK, scan it with VirusTotal first
- Enable "Install unknown apps" only for the source you trust
ROMs Are a Different Story
Game ROMs are copyrighted material. Downloading ROMs for games you don't legally own can infringe copyright, regardless of the emulator you use.
- We don't host, link to, or distribute ROM files on this site
- Dumping ROMs from cartridges you personally own is the safest route
- Check your local copyright law, as rules vary by country
Top Features
Unlimited Save States
Save and load your progress at any point — no more relying on in-game checkpoints.
Fast Forward
Speed through grinding, cutscenes, or backtracking without wasting time.
Controller Support
Pair a Bluetooth or USB gamepad for a more authentic, comfortable feel.
Link Play (Multiplayer)
Connect with friends locally to play link-cable-enabled titles together.
Custom Shaders & Filters
Apply visual filters to recreate that authentic handheld screen look.
Cheat Code Support
Load GameShark and Action Replay codes for classic cheat functionality.
Free vs Pro Version
My Boy! Free
- Core GBA emulation
- 1 save state slot
- Basic controls
- Contains ads
My Boy! Pro
- No ads
- Unlimited save state slots
- Cloud save sync
- Priority updates
| Feature | Free | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Save States | 1 slot | Unlimited |
| Ads | Yes | None |
| Cloud Sync | No | Yes |
| Cheat Codes | Yes | Yes |
| Link Play | Yes | Yes |
My Boy! Emulator Guides
View All Guides →
Setup
How to Transfer GBA Saves Between Android Devices (My Boy! Guide)
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Setup
How to Use Fast Forward in My Boy Without Audio Glitches
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Setup
How to Save and Load States in My Boy GBA Emulator (Complete Guide)
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First-Time Setup Checklist
Run through this before your first play session to avoid the most common early problems.
BIOS file (optional): My Boy! can run without a BIOS file, but adding one can improve compatibility with a few tricky titles.
Storage permission: Grant file access so the app can find your ROM files and save data.
Controls layout: Set your preferred on-screen button layout or pair a controller before starting.
Fast-forward speed: Set your preferred multiplier (2x–4x) in Settings ahead of time.
Performance Optimization
View Performance Tips →Low-End Phone Specific Tips for Better GBA Emulation Performance
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Speed
How to Make Games Run Faster on Low End Mobile Devices
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Speed
How to Resolve Audio Buffer and Lag Issues for GBA Emulation
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How to Install My Boy APK
New to My Boy!? Here's the full install process from start to finish. Screenshots below will be swapped in shortly — steps are accurate as written.
Download the APK File
Get My Boy! from the Google Play Store, or download the APK from a trusted source if the Play Store version isn't available in your region.
Allow Unknown Sources
If installing outside the Play Store, go to Settings → Security (or Apps) and enable "Install unknown apps" for your browser or file manager.
Install the App
Open the downloaded APK file and tap Install. Wait for the process to finish, then open My Boy! from your app drawer.
Load Your ROM & Play
Point My Boy! to your legally-owned ROM file, adjust controls or shaders in Settings, and start playing.
Restoring Save Data After Reinstall
Switched phones or reinstalled the app? Here's how to get your save files back.
Locate Your Old Save Files
Find the My Boy! save folder on your old device or backup — usually inside internal storage under the app's data directory.
Copy Files to the New Device
Transfer the save files via cable, cloud storage, or a file-transfer app to the same folder path on your new phone.
Reload the ROM
Open My Boy!, load the matching ROM, and your progress should resume from the restored save file.
Retro Game Guides & Tutorials
View Game Tutorials →
Retro Game
Super Punch Out Emulator Guide for Android
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Retro Game
How to Play Mike Tyson Punch Out on NES Emulator
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Retro Game
How to Play Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga on Android Emulator
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Compatible Games by Genre
Browse setup and troubleshooting guides organized by the type of game you're playing.
Platformer 4 Guides
Racing 2 Guides
Fighting 2 Guides
Link Play / Multiplayer Games
Titles that support GBA link-cable multiplayer, emulated through My Boy!'s Link Play feature.
My Boy! vs Other GBA Emulators
How My Boy! stacks up against the other popular GBA emulator options for Android.
| Emulator | Save States | Link Play | Cheat Codes | Ads (Free Version) | Ease of Setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| My Boy! | Unlimited | Yes | Yes | Minimal | Very Easy |
| John GBA | Yes | Yes | Yes | Moderate | Easy |
| RetroArch (mGBA core) | Unlimited | Limited | Yes | None | Advanced |
| VBA (Visual Boy Advance) | Yes | No | Basic | Heavy | Moderate |
Download Sources
Where to get My Boy!, and what to expect from each source.
| Source | Version | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Play Store | Latest (auto-updates) | ~15 MB | Recommended — safest, auto-updates |
| Official Developer Site | Latest | ~15 MB | Good alternative if Play Store unavailable in your region |
| Third-Party Mirror | Varies | Varies | Scan with VirusTotal before installing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is My Boy! free to use?
Do I need to download ROMs separately?
Is My Boy! safe to install?
Why is my game lagging or running slow?
Does My Boy! support multiplayer or link play?
Do I need a BIOS file?
Get Help & Support
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Comments | Ask a question on the relevant guide — we reply to most within a day |
| Contact Form | Use our Contact page for anything not covered in a guide |
| Community | Link your Discord/Reddit/forum here once available |
