ARMSX3 adds a frontend shortcut handoff
ARMSX3 version 1.0.2 adds support for a specific Android frontend workflow. A .ps3 shortcut can now start an installed PKG game when a frontend passes that shortcut file directly to ARMSX3.
The release notes name iiSU! as an example of a frontend that hands over the file itself. The update is therefore aimed at frontends that use this file-based handoff; it may not apply to frontends that launch software through a different method.
What changes for users
The new behavior connects a frontend shortcut with a PKG game that is already installed. The frontend passes the .ps3 file to ARMSX3, which can then use it to start the associated game.
Version 1.0.2 does not announce PKG installation features, broader game compatibility, performance changes or other emulator updates. Its documented change is limited to starting installed PKG games through supported frontend handoffs.
An Android emulator based on RPCS3
ARMSX3 is an Android project based on RPCS3, the PlayStation 3 emulator. Its README says it uses the latest upstream RPCS3 code, including recent ARM64 improvements. In practical terms, ARMSX3 runs on Android as the host platform while emulating PlayStation 3 software.
Running the emulator requires PlayStation 3 firmware, which is not included with the project. The release notes also do not provide game files or firmware. The new shortcut behavior applies to PKG games that are already installed.
APK variants in version 1.0.2
The release includes four APK files for ARM64 Android devices. Three use the armv8.2 target with SDK 30, SDK 33 or SDK 35, while the legacy package uses armv8.1 with SDK 30.
The files are named ARMSX3-1.0.2-a11-armv8.2-sdk30.apk, ARMSX3-1.0.2-a13-armv8.2-sdk33.apk, ARMSX3-1.0.2-a15-armv8.2-sdk35.apk and ARMSX3-1.0.2-legacy-armv8.1-sdk30.apk. The release is a regular 1.0.2 build rather than a rolling development build, and the exact package choice depends on the Android device and target supported by the user’s setup.
Source-build and licensing details
For developers compiling ARMSX3, the README documents support for Android arm64-v8a and armv8.2. It lists the Android SDK with NDK r27 or newer, CMake 3.30 or newer and JDK 17 as build requirements. Android Studio includes these tools. These requirements apply to building from source, not to using a published APK.
ARMSX3 is licensed under GPL-2.0-only, like RPCS3, although the README says some files may have different licenses. The project also notes that the proprietary Discord Social SDK is not redistributed. A source build can omit that feature when the SDK is unavailable.
