Download Citron Emulator
The Citron emulator is a completely free, open-source Nintendo Switch emulator. It’s compatible with Windows, Linux, and Android. Below, you’ll find the download links for all platforms.
Download Citron Emulator Latest Canary Refresh Version 0.5
Citron Canary Refresh Version 0.5 Notes
Release Overview
Citron Canary Refresh Version 0.5 introduces significant enhancements to core functionality, service implementations, and platform-specific optimizations. This update focuses on improved stability, enhanced network features, and better Android compatibility.
Major Features
Graphics and Rendering
- Vulkan Improvements
- Implemented native MSAA resolve in texture cache
- Added Samsung driver workarounds
- Added 4KB memory alignment for AMD and Qualcomm drivers
- Improved texture format conversion handling
Service Implementation Updates
- Home Menu Support
- Added Home Menu launch functionality
- Implemented CreateManagedDisplaySeparableLayer
- Enhanced display and layer management
- Improved VI service validation
Memory Management
- Enhanced Security
- Added license verification for Android app
- Improved memory mapping safety and debugging
- Enhanced host memory validation
- Better error handling for memory access violations
User Interface
- Performance Monitoring
- Added RAM usage overlay
- Improved thermal display
- Updated Citron logo in About dialog
- Removed firmware decryption warning dialog
Technical Improvements
NVDRV Service
- Implemented NVGPU_GPU_IOCTL_NUM_VSMS
- Added GetTpcMasks2 support
- Improved memory mapping validation
- Enhanced error notifier handling
Audio System
- Cleaned up audio controller implementation
- Implemented Unknown5000 command
- Added debug commands
- Improved audio service stability
Network Features
- Improved network interface handling
- Enhanced address resolution
- Added NOMEM errno handling
- Implemented additional friend service functions
Compatibility and Performance
Platform-Specific Builds
- Android:
- Disabled RAM Overlay by default (Bugged)
- Preliminary Fix For 0.0 FPS bug
- Build System:
- Updated to Qt 6.8.2
- Updated fmt and SDL2
- Improved dependency management
- Enhanced build configuration
Service Improvements
- Implemented Nintendo Account integration
- Added proper permission validation
- Enhanced settings handling
- Improved service manager implementation
Installation Notes
- Clean build recommended when updating from previous versions
- Android users should verify device compatibility
- Updated build requirements for all platforms
- New dependency versions required
Known Issues
- Some GPU functions remain in development
- GPU Regressions still persist in some titles
- Network features are in early implementation stage
- Platform-specific rendering issues may occur
- Memory access violations in specific scenarios
Contributors
- Zephyron: Core improvements, graphics optimization, service implementations
- vampiric_x: Network functionality, Qt integration
- Daskalos: Experimental Frame Generation & Stabilization
Future Plans
- Further optimization of GPU implementations
- Enhanced network and multiplayer features
- Continued Android platform improvements
- Additional service implementations
Citron Canary Refresh Version 0.4 Notes
Release Overview
Citron Canary Refresh Version 0.4 brings significant improvements to graphics rendering, service implementations, memory handling, and user interface. This update focuses on enhanced game compatibility, particularly for titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD + More
Major Features
Graphics and Rendering
- Buffer Cache Optimization
- Simplified storage buffer binding logic
- Improved rendering for underground/depth areas in TOTK
- Enhanced memory layout handling and address translation
Service Implementation Updates
- Visual Interface (VI) Service
- Implemented missing IApplicationDisplayService functions
- Added proper permission handling for different session types
- Improved display and layer management
Memory Management
- Enhanced Error Handling
- Improved null pointer and unmapped memory handling
- Better error messages for memory access violations
- Graceful handling of invalid memory operations
User Interface
- Modern Dark Theme
- Redesigned loading screen with gradient animation
- Updated typography using Segoe UI
- Modernized menu, toolbar, and dock widget appearances
Technical Improvements
NVDRV Service
- Implemented proper GPU function stubs
- Relaxed GPU validation for better compatibility
- Improved error notifier handling
- Added transfer memory handling
Shader Compilation
- Implemented EmitInvocationInfo across all backends
- Added proper invocation info handling for tessellation and fragment stages
- Improved shader extension compatibility
Network Features
- Added QT Network package support
- Implemented IP input field for multiplayer room creation
Compatibility and Performance
Game-Specific Improvements
- Fixed rendering issues in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Improved handling of underground/depth areas
- Better compatibility with games using complex GPU operations
Platform-Specific Builds
- Android: app-mainline-release_optimised.apk
- Includes frame generation & stabilisation for supported devices
- Linux:
- Native build (Citron-Linux-Canary-Refresh_0.4_native.tar.gz)
- Compatibility build (Citron-Linux-Canary-Refresh_0.4_compatibility.tar.gz)
- Compiled with -march=core2 -mtune=generic for wider compatibility
Installation Notes
- Clean build recommended when updating from previous versions
- For Linux users, choose between native or compatibility build based on CPU support
- Android users should check device compatibility for frame generation features
Known Issues
- Some GPU functions remain stubbed
- Memory access violations may still occur in edge cases
- Network features are in early implementation stage
Contributors
- Zephyron: Core improvements, graphics optimization, service implementations
- vampiric_x: Network functionality, Qt integration
- Daskalos: Experimental Frame Generation & Stabilization
Future Plans
- Further optimization of GPU service implementations
- Continued improvement of memory management
- Enhanced network and multiplayer features
- Additional UI refinements