Citron NEO

Citron NEO — Nintendo Switch Emulator

Download & install guide

Direct downloads for Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android — choose your platform below. Then extract, run, and set up keys & firmware. Troubleshoot if something fails.

First time? Prefer a tagged release. For the newest build per OS, use CI nightlies.

Nightly 0237a9b88Tagged 2026-04-17

Choose your platform

Tap a system — the page scrolls to downloads and install steps for that OS.

Download by system

Windows

For you: you run Windows on a typical PC or handheld. Nightly builds ship as x64 .zip (MSVC and/or Clang). Tagged releases often use an msvc.zip archive.

Direct download

Each link points at the same file as in GitHub Assets for that build — your browser downloads the package directly.

Tagged release (2026-04-17)

Windows x64 (.zip, MSVC)

Looking for a different format? (Assets list)

On CI releases, open Continuous Build (Windows…) → Assets. On emulator releases, pick the Windows msvc.zip when listed.

All CI buildsAll emulator releases

Install (short)

  1. Extract the .zip to a folder (short path, e.g. C:\Tools\Citron).
  2. In that folder, create an empty directory named user (portable profile). This gives a clean first-run wizard and avoids mixing with an old Citron install — skip only if you intend to share an existing profile.
  3. Run the .exe inside the folder (often Citron.exe; use the real filename from the archive).
  4. If SmartScreen blocks: More info → Run anyway (only for files you downloaded from github.com/citron-neo).
  5. If Windows reports missing MSVC runtime, install the latest Visual C++ redistributable (x64) from Microsoft.
  6. Complete keys, firmware, and game library — see first-time setup.

Full steps for Windows →

Linux

For you: you run Linux on a desktop, laptop, or handheld (e.g. Steam Deck). Match the build to your CPU: most PCs and Deck are x86_64; use aarch64 only on 64-bit ARM. CI publishes AppImage and .tar.zst bundles.

Direct download

Each link points at the same file as in GitHub Assets for that build — your browser downloads the package directly.

Looking for a different format? (Assets list)

Open CI → Linux nightly or a tagged emulator release. Filenames include x86_64, x86_64_v3, or aarch64. Steam Deck: x86_64, not ARM64. Steam Deck notes.

All CI buildsAll emulator releases

Install (short)

  1. Download the Linux asset for your CPU from Assets (.AppImage and/or .tar.zst).
  2. AppImage: chmod +x or use file properties → allow executing. Archive: extract with file manager or tar.
  3. Run the AppImage or the binary from the extracted folder.
  4. After it opens: keys, firmware, and game folders — see first-time setup.

Full steps for Linux →

macOS

For you: you use macOS. CI nightlies ship a .dmg; tagged emulator releases may do the same. Always use GitHub Assets.

Direct download

Each link points at the same file as in GitHub Assets for that build — your browser downloads the package directly.

CI nightly (0237a9b88)

macOS (.dmg)

Tagged release (2026-04-17)

macOS (.dmg)

Looking for a different format? (Assets list)

Use CI → macOS nightly or emulator releases → Assets → .dmg when available.

All CI buildsAll emulator releases

Install (short)

  1. Open the .dmg and drag Citron into Applications (or run from the mounted volume).
  2. If macOS blocks launch: System Settings → Privacy & Security, or right-click → Open the first time.
  3. First launch: keys, firmware, and game directories — follow first-time setup.

Full steps for macOS →

Android

For you: you run Android on a phone or tablet with a supported SoC. CI may publish a mainline APK and a Snapdragon 8 Elite variant — pick the one that matches your device and the release notes.

Direct download

Each link points at the same file as in GitHub Assets for that build — your browser downloads the package directly.

Looking for a different format? (Assets list)

Get .apk files from CI → Android nightly or from a tagged emulator release. Allow installation from your source (browser / Files) when Android prompts.

All CI buildsAll emulator releases

Install (short)

  1. Download the APK for your device from GitHub Assets.
  2. Open the file and approve install from this source if asked.
  3. Launch Citron and complete storage / permission prompts as the app requests.
  4. Keys, firmware, and library paths: see first-time setup where applicable.

Full steps for Android →

Platform · On GitHub Assets, match your OS and CPU. Open Install for step-by-step help.

All releases

Emulator releases are dated tags with changelogs — best default for a first install. CI publishes frequent per-platform nightlies. Always use Assets and match OS + CPU.

Emulator — tagged releasesCI — all builds

Quick answers

Is this the same as old Citron?
Citron NEO is a community fork under the citron-neo org — not a corporate “official successor.” Downloads should come only from their GitHub repos.
Which package should I download first?
Prefer a tagged emulator release for stability. Use CI nightlies when you want the latest build for your OS.
Why create a user folder on Windows?
An empty user folder next to the exe keeps all data portable and triggers a clean setup wizard; it avoids accidentally reusing an old Citron profile. Details: First-time setup.
Is Citron NEO open source?
Source and builds are hosted on GitHub (emulator). Prefer release assets published there.

Minimum

  • 8 GiB RAM or more recommended for many titles.
  • GPU / API: Citron focuses on Vulkan; use current drivers. See project release notes for platform specifics.
  • Nightlies change often; stick to tagged emulator releases if you want fewer surprises.