u/bigsleepi

So first I need to confirm: there is not hotkey set up that is tying START to open Duckstation menu, and there is no where to reprogram open Duckstation menu to a different button because of it.

So is this really the only way to fix this or is AI having me on:

1. Export the Settings file:
   • Open the standalone DuckStation app.
   • Tap the hamburger menu (three lines) in the top-left corner and go to App Settings.
   • Scroll down to the bottom of the list and look for Transfer Data (or Backup/Export Settings).
   • Tap Export Data. Save this backup file somewhere easy to find, like your main Downloads folder.
2. Edit the file:
   • Open your normal Android Files/File Manager app and go to your Downloads folder.
   • Look for the DuckStation backup file you just made (it will be a .zip or a raw file). If it's a .zip, click it to extract it.
   • Open the settings.ini text file using any basic text editor app on your Retroid.
   • Use the find/search function to search for OpenPauseMenu.
   • You will see the line hijacking your control pad: OpenPauseMenu = Controller1/ButtonStart.
   • Change that line to exactly this: OpenPauseMenu = (Delete everything after the equals sign so it is completely blank).
   • Save the text file and close it.
3. Import it back into DuckStation:
   • Go back into the DuckStation app.
   • Go to App Settings -> Transfer Data (at the bottom).
   • Tap Import Data. Select the newly edited text file from your Downloads folder.

 

Once the import completes, DuckStation will instantly drop its hold on the physical Start button. When you load up Metal Gear Solid or Resident Evil, your physical Start button will pause the game internally just like a real PS1 controller, while your hardware back arrow button retains full control of the emulator menu.