Mobile Guide (Android)

Since v2.0.0, XB Homebrew Vault ships as a portrait-first Android app alongside the desktop app. It reuses the same service layer and ViewModels as the desktop build behind a new phone-form-factor view layer — so Browse, Installed, Tools, Settings, logs, jobs and notifications all work from your phone.

  • Architecture: Android 6.0+ (API 23)
  • CPU: ARM64 (android-arm64 build)
  • Orientation: portrait, fullscreen, edge-to-edge on supported devices
  • Shortcut: Latest APK

Installing the APK

  1. Download XBVault-{version}-android-arm64.apk from the releases page.
  2. Open the download and allow “Install unknown apps” for your browser (or file manager) when prompted.
  3. Complete device verification / Play Protect warning — the APK is code-signed with the project’s release keystore, not the Play Store.
  4. Launch XB Homebrew Vault.

Sideloading via ADB also works: adb install XBVault-{version}-android-arm64.apk. On emulators always adb uninstall io.github.marcelofrau.xbvault first — incremental (FastDev) installs corrupt bundled assemblies.

First run

  1. A splash screen shows for a few seconds while the app composes its services.
  2. If no connection is configured, the setup wizard opens — enter your console’s Dev Mode address (IP or hostname) and credentials.
  3. The main shell opens with the bottom tab bar: Browse · Installed · Tools · Settings.

Connecting

  • Open Settings → Connection (or the connect screen from the shell).
  • Enter the address + credentials manually, or scan the QR code that the desktop app can share from its Connection screen (QR Connect).
  • The same credentials are used automatically by browse, install, file explorer and tools.

The Xbox Dev Mode portal runs on port 11443 over HTTPS. Your phone and console must be on the same network.

Tabs

Tab What you can do
Browse Emulation Revival catalog with category filters — tap an item for the detail view (about, downloads, compatibility), then Install / Update
Installed Every package on the console — launch, suspend, uninstall, and see update status (adaptive badges)
Tools Mobile-form tools — process list, network/system info, screenshot, crash dumps, performance chart, update check, autostart toggle
Settings Connection, credentials, app-update scanning, log level, theme, About

Sideloading

Beyond catalog installs, the sideload wizard installs arbitrary .appx / .msix / .zip packages:

  1. Open the sideload wizard (Tools or the install flow).
  2. Pick a source:
    • Local file — Android file picker (SAF). Selecting any file works even if your file manager hides the app’s files.
    • URL — direct link, or indirect share links from GoFile, Google Drive, or OneDrive (resolved automatically).
  3. Review dependencies, then install — the job appears in Jobs with live progress, and you can Abort it.

Logs, Jobs & Notifications

  • Logs — the app’s activity log with copy and Save Log (exports the log to storage / share, including QR and GoFile upload).
  • Jobs — background activity: catalog refresh, downloads, installs, updates, screenshots. Shows progress and lets you retry or abort.
  • Notifications — surface updates from jobs and background tasks (e.g. an app update is available), with in-app history.

Using the app

  • Back button — closes overlay views (dialogs, wizards) first, then steps back through tab history, and exits when you’re on Browse (the base tab).
  • Safe areas — on Android 15+ the app is edge-to-edge and draws its own margins from the system insets; on older versions the system bars stay outside the app surface and margins are zeroed automatically.
  • Desktop users: the mobile app shares its data model with the desktop build — what you install from either is the same Xbox-facing state.

See also

← User Manual · Android Architecture →