NieR Automata Android project gets easier setup in v0.2.0

November 10, 2026

NieR Automata has an experimental Android project from developer Brandon04Gonzalez, and its latest release removes quite a lot of hurdles. Version 0.2.0 can prepare the game directly on your Android device, replacing the Windows preparation process required by the first public preview.

The project runs the Nintendo Switch release, NieR Automata The End of YoRHa Edition, with update 1.0.3. According to the dev, it reaches the prologue and supports gameplay, although testing has covered only a small number of devices. This is still an early release, with plenty left to establish about performance and compatibility.

Native code, with some help

The port uses native code execution, or NCE. Both the Switch and compatible Android devices use ARM64 processors, allowing the original game’s CPU instructions to run directly on the phone. The loader patches system calls and instructions that cannot work unchanged on Android.

Around that code, the project reimplements the Switch services the game expects, including audio, input and video functionality. Calls are handled through Vulkan, while shaders are translated using technology from Ryujinx.

That makes this a dedicated compatibility runtime running the Switch game, not really a conventional Android rebuild from NieR’s original source code. Native CPU execution does’t guarantee better performance than a Switch emulator, but it is promising.

Preparation

The biggest change Version 0.2.0 brings is the way the game files are prepared. Select your base game dump, update and keys inside the Android app, and it will apply the update, check the executable and extract and translates 1,219 shaders. Once preparation finishes, you can launch the game.

You need your own US Switch copy in XCI or NSP format, the 1.0.3 update in NSP format and your own keys. No game assets, keys or firmware are included in the APK.

The prepared game occupies roughly 12–13 GB, with additional temporary space required during preparation, alongside the original files. After preparation, you can remove the original base game and update files.

Limited testing

Requirements are Android 10 or newer, an ARM64 device and Vulkan 1.1, with 8 GB of RAM recommended.

Available settings include resolutions from 360p to 1080p, 30 or 60 fps targets, shadows, texture detail and experimental bloom. Controls support an editable touch layout and Nintendo or Xbox gamepad mappings. There are also language options, save import and export, mod support and custom Turnip driver loading for compatible hardware.

The project credits BelmanteGu and Projeto Belmante’s SwitchGamesRecomp runtime, also used by the developer’s Persona 5 Royal Android project, alongside Ryujinx and Ryubing for shader translation. Its documentation also discloses substantial AI assistance, directed and tested by a human.

The APK is free, donations are optional, and the project is unofficial, with no affiliation to Square Enix, PlatinumGames, Virtuos or Nintendo.