---
title: Install retroarch on Debian using the Snap Store | Snapcraft
description: Get the latest version of retroarch for on Debian - RetroArch is the
  official reference frontend for the libretro API.
url: https://snapcraft.io/install/retroarch/debian
---

[Canonical Snapcraft](https://snapcraft.io/)

# Install retroarch on **Debian**

# retroarch

[hunterk (libretro)](https://snapcraft.io/publisher/libretro "View all snaps from hunterk (libretro)")

* [hunterk (libretro)](https://snapcraft.io/publisher/libretro "View all snaps from hunterk (libretro)")
* [Entertainment](https://snapcraft.io/search?categories=entertainment)
* [Games](https://snapcraft.io/search?categories=games)

[Install](https://snapcraft.io/install/retroarch/debian#install)

[

](https://res.cloudinary.com/canonical/image/fetch/f_webm/https://dashboard.snapcraft.io/site_media/appmedia/2018/08/updater-1.gif)

[

](https://res.cloudinary.com/canonical/image/fetch/f_webm/https://dashboard.snapcraft.io/site_media/appmedia/2018/08/ezgif-4-ebd88e452e.gif)

[

](https://res.cloudinary.com/canonical/image/fetch/f_webm/https://dashboard.snapcraft.io/site_media/appmedia/2018/08/ezgif-4-scrubbed.gif)

#### RetroArch is the official reference frontend for the libretro API.

The official reference frontend for the libretro API.

RetroArch provides a variety of advanced user-facing features and powerful configuration capabilities to programs that target the libretro API. While a majority of these programs are emulators for retro gaming consoles, various gaming engines and other multimedia applications are also represented. The programs, known as "cores", can be downloaded and updated directly from RetroArch's built-in Online Updater.

RetroArch defaults to a gamepad-friendly 10-foot/leanback interface that is perfect for use with living-room and home theater PCs, but there is also a more traditional keyboard-and-mouse interface available by pressing F5.

RetroArch is written in portable C and licensed GPLv3.

### Package name

* retroarch

---

### License

* GPL-3.0+

---

### Last updated

* 17 November 2025 - latest/stable
* 22 October 2026 - latest/edge

---

### Websites

* [www.retroarch.com](https://www.retroarch.com "https://www.retroarch.com")

---

### Contact

* [forums.libretro.com](https://forums.libretro.com/ "https://forums.libretro.com/")

---

##### Report a Snap Store violation

* [Report this Snap](https://snapcraft.io/install/retroarch/debian#report-snap-modal)

---

## Enable snaps on Debian and install retroarch

Snaps are applications packaged with all their dependencies to run on all popular Linux distributions from a single build. They update automatically and roll back gracefully.

Snaps are discoverable and installable from the [Snap Store](https://snapcraft.io/store), an app store with an audience of millions.

### Enable snapd

On Debian 9 (Stretch) and newer, snap can be installed directly from the command line:

```
sudo apt update
sudo apt install snapd
```

After this, install the snapd snap in order to get the latest snapd:

```
sudo snap install snapd
```

### Install retroarch

To install retroarch, simply use the following command:

```
sudo snap install retroarch
```

### Other popular snaps…

[See more...](https://snapcraft.io/search?categories=featured)

[See more in Featured](https://snapcraft.io/search?categories=featured)

### More things to do…

#### [Get the snap store](https://snapcraft.io/snap-store)

Browse and find snaps from the convenience of your desktop using the snap store snap.

#### [Learn more about snaps](https://snapcraft.io/docs)

Interested to find out more about snaps? Want to publish your own application? Visit [snapcraft.io](https://snapcraft.io/) now.

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