OnionOS
OnionOS is a free, open-source operating-system overhaul for Miyoo Mini and Miyoo Mini+ handhelds.
What OnionOS is
OnionOS is a free, open-source operating-system overhaul for Miyoo Mini and Miyoo Mini+ handhelds. It runs from an SD card and includes RetroArch with dedicated drivers, custom overlays and filters, plus optimized emulators. GameSwitcher shows recently played games with screenshots of where you stopped, while Search finds titles by keyword. Game List Options can select cores, fetch cover images, launch Netplay and filter lists. Package Manager installs or removes emulators and apps. Activity Tracker records playtime and displays the total in the top bar. Themes, system settings, network services and button shortcuts are configurable. Miyoo Mini Plus adds over-the-air updates, time synchronization, cover scraping and network services such as SMB, HTTP, SSH, FTP, Telnet, hotspot and VNC. Netplay supports online or local sessions, including Easy Netplay between two Mini Plus devices.
Good
- Free and open source
- RetroArch and optimized emulators included
- Search and cover-image tools
- Playtime tracking in top bar
- Netplay supports online or local sessions
Watch out
- Runs only on Miyoo Mini devices
- Game image scraper is Mini Plus only
- Wi-Fi special-character issue has no fix
- Some ports require licensed game files
Who it suits
It suits Miyoo Mini or Mini+ owners wanting an open-source handheld interface with emulators, library tools and customization. Mini Plus owners can use additional network, scraping and multiplayer features.
Verdict
OnionOS combines emulation, game-library management and system customization for Miyoo handhelds. Mini Plus users get the broadest connected and multiplayer feature set, while installation requires suitable firmware and an SD card.
The facts
Each one read from OnionOS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Activity tracking
- The Activity Tracker records game playtimes, displays total playtime in the top bar, and lets users share playtime screenshots.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Connected features
- On Miyoo Mini Plus, Onion supports OTA updates, date and time synchronization, game-cover scraping, and network services including SMB, HTTP, SSH, FTP, Telnet, hotspot, and VNC.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Tweaks lets users adjust system settings, enable network services, and configure button shortcuts; themes can change backgrounds, categories, icons, music, and fonts.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Emulation
- Onion includes RetroArch with dedicated drivers, custom overlays and filters, plus standalone PCSX and ScummVM emulators.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Game collection tools
- Its Search app finds games by keyword, and its Game List Options menu can select cores, fetch cover images, launch Netplay, and filter lists.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Game library
- Search finds games by keyword, and Activity Tracker records playtime and displays total playtime in the top bar.checked 3 Oct 2026
- GameSwitcher
- GameSwitcher lets users browse recently played games and resume them from a screenshot of where they left off.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Game switching
- GameSwitcher lets users browse recently played games and resume them with screenshots showing where they left off.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Onion is installed and kept on an SD card; the maker says Windows users can use Onion Desktop Tools to prepare the card and install or update Onion.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Installation support
- Windows users can use Onion Desktop Tools to format an SD card and download, install, update, and configure Onion.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Known limitation
- The FAQ says a MainUI issue can prevent Wi-Fi networks with special characters from connecting, and reports no fix because MainUI is closed source.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Multiplayer
- Netplay supports online or local network sessions; Easy Netplay on two Miyoo Mini Plus devices needs no prior Wi-Fi setup, and Pokémon trading is available for GB/GBC.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Network features
- On Miyoo Mini Plus, Onion offers Netplay, over-the-air updates, time synchronization, cover scraping, and network services including SMB, HTTP, SSH, and FTP.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The built-in game image scraper is available on Miyoo Mini Plus only, according to the FAQ.checked 2 Oct 2026
- Package Manager
- The Package Manager app installs and uninstalls emulators and apps.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Ports
- The Ports Collection page describes 61 game ports; some require users to provide licensed game files.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Product
- Onion is an operating system overhaul for the Miyoo Mini and Miyoo Mini+.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to GitHub Discussions, Discord, Reddit, and Facebook for community support.checked 3 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Device requirements
- The installation guide requires at least firmware 20220419 on Miyoo Mini and 20230505 on Miyoo Mini+; Onion runs from the SD card as a frontend to the device firmware.checked 3 Oct 2026
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