Enjoy PS2 classics on your Android phone using AetherSX2
Where can I download AetherSX2 games?
If you are a fan of PlayStation 2 (PS2) games and want to play them on your Android device, you might have heard of AetherSX2, the best PS2 emulator for Android. But how can you download and play PS2 games on Android using AetherSX2? And what are the best games for AetherSX2? In this article, we will answer these questions and give you some tips to optimize AetherSX2 performance.
What is AetherSX2?
AetherSX2 is a PS2 emulator for Android that allows you to play PS2 games on your smartphone or tablet. It is based on PCSX2, a popular and well-established emulator on PC, and uses its code with permission from the developers. AetherSX2 was released in December 2021 as an open beta on the Google Play Store, and it is free to download and use.
where can i download aethersx2 games
A brief history of AetherSX2
AetherSX2 is the brainchild of one person, a developer who goes by the handle Tahlreth. He used the PCSX2 emulator as the basis for his Android-based emulator, as it makes sense to take advantage of the work that has gone into this program. He got the green light to use the PCSX2 code from the developers themselves, as it is licensed under the LGPL license. This is unlike the DamonPS2 emulator, which stole the code and did not follow the requisite license.
The emulator was initially released in December 2021 via the Google Play Store as an open beta. You can also sideload the APK via the AetherSX2 website. However, you should steer clear of any other websites claiming to offer the APK, as they might be fake or malicious.
In March 2023, a major turn of events happened when the app was reportedly updated with ads. You can still find the older, ad-free versions of the app via the fan-run Discord server and this archived link. Otherwise, if you dont mind the ads, you can download the app via the Play Store using this button:
AetherSX2 features and requirements
AetherSX2 has a lot of great features that make it stand out from other PS2 emulators on Android. Some of these features are:
Internal resolution scaling, which allows you to increase or decrease the graphics quality of the games.
Save states, which let you save and load your progress at any point in the game.
Multiple control schemes, which let you customize the layout and size of the virtual buttons on your screen.
Vulkan and OpenGL graphics renderers, which let you choose between different graphics APIs depending on your device performance.
Hot-swapping between Vulkan and OpenGL renderers, which let you switch between them without restarting the app.
Texture preloading, which improves the loading times and reduces stuttering in some games.
Hardware readbacks, which enable some graphical effects that are otherwise missing in some games.
Threaded presentation and debug GPU device, which are advanced options that can improve the performance and stability of the emulator.
Of course, to run AetherSX2 and play PS2 games on your Android device, you will need some minimum requirements. These are:
An Android device running Android 7.0 or higher.
A Snapdragon 835 or equivalent processor or higher.
At least 4 GB of RAM.
At least 16 GB of storage space for the emulator, BIOS file, and game ISOs.
Keep in mind that these are just the minimum requirements, and some games may require higher specifications to run smoothly. Also, not all games are compatible with AetherSX2, and some may have glitches or crashes. You can check the compatibility list on the official website or the Discord server to see which games work well and which ones don't.
How to download and play PS2 games on Android using AetherSX2
Now that you know what AetherSX2 is and what it can do, you might be wondering how to download and play PS2 games on Android using this emulator. Well, it's not too complicated, but you will need a few things before you can start playing. Here are the steps you need to follow:
Step 1: Download and install AetherSX2 from the Google Play Store or the official website
The first step is to download and install AetherSX2 on your Android device. You can do this by either going to the Google Play Store and searching for AetherSX2 or by visiting the official website and downloading the APK file. If you choose the latter option, you will need to enable unknown sources in your device settings to install the app. Once you have installed the app, you can open it and grant it the necessary permissions.
How to play PS2 games on Android with AetherSX2
AetherSX2 emulator for Android: requirements, tips, and best games
AetherSX2 vs other PS2 emulators for Android: which one is better?
AetherSX2 settings: how to optimize performance and graphics
AetherSX2 compatibility list: which PS2 games work on Android
AetherSX2 download: where to get the latest version of the emulator
AetherSX2 BIOS: how to install and configure the PS2 BIOS file
AetherSX2 controller: how to use a gamepad or keyboard with the emulator
AetherSX2 cheats: how to enable and use cheat codes in PS2 games
AetherSX2 save states: how to save and load your progress in PS2 games
AetherSX2 resolution scaling: how to improve the quality of PS2 games on Android
AetherSX2 Vulkan vs OpenGL: which renderer is faster and more stable
AetherSX2 sound issues: how to fix audio glitches and lag in PS2 games
AetherSX2 multiplayer: how to play PS2 games online or locally with friends
AetherSX2 ROMs: where to find and download PS2 games legally
AetherSX2 review: is it worth downloading and using the emulator
AetherSX2 tutorial: how to set up and use the emulator step by step
AetherSX2 FAQ: answers to common questions and problems about the emulator
AetherSX2 support: how to contact the developers and get help with the emulator
AetherSX2 alternatives: other ways to play PS2 games on Android devices
AetherSX2 update: what's new and improved in the latest version of the emulator
AetherSX2 bugs: how to report and fix errors and crashes in the emulator
AetherSX2 donation: how to support the development of the emulator
AetherSX2 forum: where to join the community and discuss the emulator
AetherSX2 wiki: where to find more information and resources about the emulator
AetherSX2 best settings for [game name]: how to configure the emulator for specific PS2 games
AetherSX2 gameplay videos: where to watch and share your PS2 gaming experience on Android
AetherSX2 screenshots: how to capture and share your PS2 gaming moments on Android
AetherSX2 mods: how to install and use custom mods for PS2 games on Android
AetherSX2 speed hacks: how to boost the performance of PS2 games on Android
How to play [game name] on Android with AetherSX2: guides for popular PS2 games on the emulator
How to transfer PS2 saves from PC to Android with AetherSX2: instructions for moving your game data between devices
How to stream PS2 games from Android to TV with AetherSX2: tips for playing your games on a bigger screen
How to run PS2 games from SD card with AetherSX2: advice for saving storage space on your device
How to compress PS2 games for Android with AetherSX
Step 2: Obtain a PS2 BIOS file and copy it to your device's storage
The next step is to obtain a PS2 BIOS file, which is a file that contains the firmware of the PS2 console. This file is required for AetherSX2 to run PS2 games, as it emulates the PS2 hardware. However, this file is not included in the app, as it is copyrighted by Sony and distributing it is illegal. Therefore, you will need to dump your own BIOS file from your own PS2 console using a tool like PS2dumper.
Alternatively, you can search for a PS2 BIOS file online, but this is not recommended as it may be illegal in your country and may contain viruses or malware. If you decide to do this, do it at your own risk and make sure you scan the file with an antivirus before using it.
Once you have obtained a PS2 BIOS file, you will need to copy it to your device's storage. You can use any file manager app to do this, such as Solid Explorer or ES File Explorer. You will need to create a folder named "AetherSX2" in your device's internal storage or SD card, and then create another folder named "bios" inside it. Then, copy the BIOS file (which should have a .bin extension) into the bios folder. The final path should look something like this:
/storage/emulated/0/AetherSX2/bios/SCPH-10000.bin
Note that the name of the BIOS file may vary depending on the region of your PS2 console. For example, SCPH-10000 is for Japan, SCPH-30004R is for Europe, SCPH-39001 is for North America, etc.
Step 3: Download PS2 game ISOs from reputable sources
The third step is to download PS2 game ISOs from reputable sources. These are files that contain the data of PS2 game discs, which AetherSX2 can read and play. However, just like with the BIOS file, these files are also copyrighted by their respective publishers and developers, and downloading them may be illegal in your country unless you own the original discs.
Therefore, the best way to obtain PS2 game ISOs is to rip them from your own PS2 game discs using a tool like ImgBurn. This way, you can ensure that you have legal backups of your own games that you can play on your Android device. However, this process may take some time and effort, and you will need a PC with a DVD drive and a USB cable to connect your PS2 console to your PC.
Alternatively, you can also download PS2 game ISOs from online sources, but again, this is