How to Make RetroArch Start in Fullscreen on macOS

This article provides a step-by-step guide to configuring RetroArch so that it automatically launches in fullscreen mode on macOS. You will learn how to adjust the video settings within the interface and, most importantly, how to save these changes to the main configuration file to ensure the setting persists every time you open the application.

Adjusting Video Settings

To begin, launch the RetroArch application on your Mac. Once the main menu loads, navigate to the Settings option from the left-hand sidebar. Scroll down until you locate the Video section and select it. Inside the Video menu, look for the setting labeled Windowed Mode. By default, this is usually enabled. Toggle this setting to Off. Disabling Windowed Mode instructs the emulator to utilize the entire display resolution rather than opening in a resizable window.

Saving the Configuration

Changing the toggle alone will only affect the current session. To make RetroArch start in fullscreen mode permanently, you must save the configuration. Return to the main menu by pressing the Escape key or using your controller to backtrack. Scroll down to the Configuration option in the main menu. Select Save Current Configuration. This action writes your current video preferences, including the fullscreen setting, to the retroarch.cfg file stored on your macOS system.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

If you need to toggle fullscreen mode quickly during gameplay without navigating menus, you can use a keyboard shortcut. Press the Command and F keys simultaneously to switch between windowed and fullscreen modes instantly. However, relying on this shortcut does not automatically save the preference for future launches unless you follow the configuration saving steps outlined above. Once you have saved the configuration and restarted RetroArch, the application should now open directly in fullscreen mode.