diff --git a/.github/workflows/generate-release.yml b/.github/workflows/generate-release.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6ea2b611f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/generate-release.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+name: generate-release
+on:
+  workflow_dispatch:
+jobs:
+  build-android:
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
+    steps:
+    - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      with:
+        submodules: true
+    - name: Install dependencies
+      run: sudo apt-get install -y ninja-build
+    - name: Build SoH
+      run: |
+        ./gradlew assembleDebug -P elfBuildType=RelWithDebInfo
+        mv app/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk soh.apk
+    - name: Create release
+      uses: svenstaro/upload-release-action@v2
+      with:
+        repo_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+        tag: ${{ github.ref }}
+        file: soh.apk
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 2dc11ba80..11977d54f 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -32,3 +32,6 @@ google-services.json
 
 # Android Profiling
 *.hprof
+
+# vscode
+.vscode
diff --git a/.gitmodules b/.gitmodules
index 6fbcd88a8..ca98791d6 100644
--- a/.gitmodules
+++ b/.gitmodules
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 [submodule "app/jni/src/libultraship"]
 	path = app/jni/src/libultraship
-	url = https://github.com/Waterdish/libultraship.git
+	url = https://github.com/robertkirkman/libultraship.git
diff --git a/app/build.gradle b/app/build.gradle
index feadf82a9..01784ad98 100644
--- a/app/build.gradle
+++ b/app/build.gradle
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-def buildAsLibrary = project.hasProperty('BUILD_AS_LIBRARY');
+def buildAsLibrary = project.hasProperty('BUILD_AS_LIBRARY')
 def buildAsApplication = !buildAsLibrary
 if (buildAsApplication) {
     apply plugin: 'com.android.application'
@@ -8,25 +8,21 @@ else {
 }
 
 android {
-    ndkPath "/home/waterdish/Android/Sdk/ndk/26.0.10792818"  // Point to your own NDK
-    compileSdkVersion 31
+    ndkVersion '27.2.12479018'
+    compileSdkVersion 34
     defaultConfig {
         if (buildAsApplication) {
             applicationId "com.dishii.soh"
         }
-        minSdkVersion 18
-        targetSdkVersion 31
+        minSdkVersion 21
+        //noinspection OldTargetApi
+        targetSdkVersion 34
         versionCode 6
         versionName "1.3.0"
         externalNativeBuild {
-            //ndkBuild {
-            //    arguments "APP_PLATFORM=android-23"
-            //    abiFilters 'armeabi-v7a', 'arm64-v8a', 'x86', 'x86_64'
-            //}
             cmake {
-                 arguments "-DANDROID_APP_PLATFORM=android-23", "-DANDROID_STL=c++_static", "-DHAVE_LD_VERSION_SCRIPT=OFF",'-DUSE_OPENGLES=ON'
+                 arguments "-DANDROID_APPNAME=${applicationId}", "-DANDROID_APP_PLATFORM=android-21", "-DANDROID_STL=c++_static", "-DHAVE_LD_VERSION_SCRIPT=OFF", "-DUSE_OPENGLES=ON", "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=$elfBuildType"
                  abiFilters 'armeabi-v7a', 'arm64-v8a', 'x86', 'x86_64'
-                 //abiFilters 'arm64-v8a'
             }
         }
     }
@@ -36,7 +32,14 @@ android {
             proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
         }
     }
-    applicationVariants.all { variant ->
+    buildFeatures {
+        buildConfig = true
+    }
+    namespace 'com.dishii.soh'
+    lint {
+        abortOnError false
+    }
+    applicationVariants.configureEach { variant ->
         tasks["merge${variant.name.capitalize()}Assets"]
             .dependsOn("externalNativeBuild${variant.name.capitalize()}")
     }
@@ -45,27 +48,21 @@ android {
             jniLibs.srcDir 'libs'
         }
         externalNativeBuild {
-            //ndkBuild {
-            //    path 'jni/Android.mk'
-            //}
             cmake {
                  path 'jni/CMakeLists.txt'
-                 version "3.25.1"
+                 version "3.31.5"
             }
         }
        
     }
-    lintOptions {
-        abortOnError false
-    }
-    
+
     if (buildAsLibrary) {
         libraryVariants.all { variant ->
             variant.outputs.each { output ->
                 def outputFile = output.outputFile
                 if (outputFile != null && outputFile.name.endsWith(".aar")) {
-                    def fileName = "org.libsdl.app.aar";
-                    output.outputFile = new File(outputFile.parent, fileName);
+                    def fileName = "com.dishii.soh.aar"
+                    output.outputFile = new File(outputFile.parent, fileName)
                 }
             }
         }
@@ -74,13 +71,13 @@ android {
 
 dependencies {
     implementation fileTree(include: ['*.jar'], dir: 'libs')
-    implementation 'androidx.core:core:1.7.0' // Use the latest version
-    implementation 'androidx.constraintlayout:constraintlayout:2.1.4'
+    implementation 'androidx.core:core:1.13.1'
+    implementation 'androidx.constraintlayout:constraintlayout:2.2.0'
 }
 
-task wrapper(type: Wrapper) {
-    gradleVersion = '7.3'
+tasks.register('wrapper', Wrapper) {
+    gradleVersion = '8.10.2'
 }
 
-task prepareKotlinBuildScriptModel {
+tasks.register('prepareKotlinBuildScriptModel') {
 }
diff --git a/app/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.jar b/app/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.jar
deleted file mode 100644
index 7454180f2..000000000
Binary files a/app/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.jar and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/app/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties b/app/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties
deleted file mode 100644
index e750102e0..000000000
--- a/app/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-distributionBase=GRADLE_USER_HOME
-distributionPath=wrapper/dists
-distributionUrl=https\://services.gradle.org/distributions/gradle-7.3-bin.zip
-zipStoreBase=GRADLE_USER_HOME
-zipStorePath=wrapper/dists
diff --git a/app/jni/src/libultraship b/app/jni/src/libultraship
index 03e683e1d..94f648a98 160000
--- a/app/jni/src/libultraship
+++ b/app/jni/src/libultraship
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Subproject commit 03e683e1d1be96ed714f0459f603e40ea1e82444
+Subproject commit 94f648a98eefd65d3d4617a30ebc761cb80fe0e0
diff --git a/app/jni/src/soh/soh/Extractor/Extract.cpp b/app/jni/src/soh/soh/Extractor/Extract.cpp
index db5258076..31410461d 100644
--- a/app/jni/src/soh/soh/Extractor/Extract.cpp
+++ b/app/jni/src/soh/soh/Extractor/Extract.cpp
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ enum class ButtonId : int {
 };
 
 #ifdef __ANDROID__
-const char* javaRomPath = NULL;
+static char javaRomPath[4096] = { 0 };
 bool fileDialogOpen = false;
 
 //function to be called from C
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ void openFilePickerFromC(JNIEnv* env, jobject javaObject) {
 // Define the native method to handle the selected file path
 extern "C" void JNICALL Java_com_dishii_soh_MainActivity_nativeHandleSelectedFile(JNIEnv* env, jobject obj, jstring filePath) {
     const char* filePathStr = env->GetStringUTFChars(filePath, 0);
-    javaRomPath = strdup(filePathStr); // save filepath to string
+    snprintf(javaRomPath, sizeof(javaRomPath), "%s", filePathStr);
     fileDialogOpen = false;
     env->ReleaseStringUTFChars(filePath, filePathStr);
 }
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ void Extractor::GetRoms(std::vector<std::string>& roms) {
     // if (h != nullptr) {
     //    CloseHandle(h);
     //}
-#elif unix && !defined(__ANDROID__)
+#elif unix
     // Open the directory of the app.
     DIR* d = opendir(mSearchPath.c_str());
     struct dirent* dir;
@@ -272,33 +272,6 @@ void Extractor::GetRoms(std::vector<std::string>& roms) {
         }
     }
     closedir(d);
-#elif defined(__ANDROID__)
-    const char* androidAssetPath = SDL_AndroidGetExternalStoragePath();
-    if (androidAssetPath == NULL) {
-        printf("Error accessing Android assets directory: %s\n", SDL_GetError());
-        return;
-    }
-
-    // Use androidAssetPath for file operations
-    // Example: List files in the directory
-    DIR* dir;
-    struct dirent* entry;
-
-    if ((dir = opendir(androidAssetPath)) != NULL) {
-        while ((entry = readdir(dir)) != NULL) {
-            if (entry->d_type == DT_REG) {
-                char* filename = entry->d_name;
-                // Check file extension and process accordingly
-                if (strstr(filename, ".n64") || strstr(filename, ".z64") || strstr(filename, ".v64")) {
-                    std::string fullPath = std::string(androidAssetPath) + "/" + filename;
-                    roms.push_back(fullPath);
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        closedir(dir);
-    } else {
-        printf("Error opening directory: %s\n", androidAssetPath);
-    }
 #else
     for (const auto& file : std::filesystem::directory_iterator(mSearchPath)) {
         if (file.is_directory())
@@ -358,29 +331,18 @@ bool Extractor::GetRomPathFromBox() {
         //Do nothing until a file is chosen
         SDL_Delay(250);
     }
-    SDL_Log("%s",javaRomPath);
-    selection.push_back(javaRomPath);
-
-    if (selection.empty()) {
-        return false;
-    }
-
-    mCurrentRomPath = selection[0];
-
-    if (javaRomPath) {
-        free((void*)javaRomPath);
-        javaRomPath = NULL;
-    }
+    SDL_Log("javaRomPath: %s", javaRomPath);
 
+    selection.push_back(javaRomPath);
 #else
     auto selection = pfd::open_file("Select a file", mSearchPath, { "N64 Roms", "*.z64 *.n64 *.v64" }).result();
+#endif
 
     if (selection.empty()) {
         return false;
     }
 
     mCurrentRomPath = selection[0];
-#endif
     mCurRomSize = GetCurRomSize();
     return true;
 }
diff --git a/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml b/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
index 2a9ad2c0c..e88f14e60 100644
--- a/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/AndroidManifest.xml
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
      com.gamemaker.game
 -->
 <manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
-    package="com.dishii.soh"
     android:versionCode="6"
     android:versionName="1.3.0"
     android:installLocation="auto">
@@ -54,8 +53,8 @@
     <!-- Allow access to the vibrator -->
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.VIBRATE" />
 
-    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
     <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
+    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
 
     <!-- if you want to capture audio, uncomment this. -->
     <!-- <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO" /> -->
@@ -73,7 +72,8 @@
         android:allowBackup="true"
         android:theme="@android:style/Theme.NoTitleBar.Fullscreen"
         android:hardwareAccelerated="true"
-        android:appCategory="game" >
+        android:appCategory="game"
+        android:requestLegacyExternalStorage="true">
 
 
         <!-- Example of setting SDL hints from AndroidManifest.xml:
@@ -84,7 +84,6 @@
 
      
         <activity android:name="MainActivity"
-            android:label="@string/app_name"
             android:alwaysRetainTaskState="true"
             android:launchMode="singleInstance"
             android:configChanges="layoutDirection|locale|orientation|uiMode|screenLayout|screenSize|smallestScreenSize|keyboard|keyboardHidden|navigation"
diff --git a/app/src/main/assets/mods/custom_otr_files_go_here.txt b/app/src/main/assets/mods/custom_otr_files_go_here.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e69de29bb
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/dishii/soh/AssetCopyUtil.java b/app/src/main/java/com/dishii/soh/AssetCopyUtil.java
index 3422782b8..6f2432c3a 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/dishii/soh/AssetCopyUtil.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/dishii/soh/AssetCopyUtil.java
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 import android.content.Context;
 import android.content.res.AssetManager;
+import android.util.Log;
+
 import java.io.File;
 import java.io.FileOutputStream;
 import java.io.IOException;
@@ -9,53 +11,70 @@
 import java.io.OutputStream;
 
 public class AssetCopyUtil {
+    // based on https://stackoverflow.com/a/8366081/11708026
+    // This is desirable because it bulk copies all assets indiscriminately, simplifying the code in MainActivity
+    // the side effect is that, some people will see strange, unidentifiable files appearing in their destination folder.
+    // those extra files do not come from the app itself. They originate from something inside the Android ROM
+    // of the device they are using, and can be observed to vary between different models of devices.
+    public static void copyAssetsToExternal(Context context, String externalFolderPath) {
+        externalFolderPath = externalFolderPath + "/";
+        copyFileOrDir(context, "", externalFolderPath); // copy all files in assets folder to the destination
+    }
 
-    public static void copyAssetsToExternal(Context context, String assetsFolderPath, String externalFolderPath) throws IOException {
+    private static void copyFileOrDir(Context context, String srcpath, String destpath) {
         AssetManager assetManager = context.getAssets();
-        String[] assetFiles = assetManager.list(assetsFolderPath);
-
-        for (String assetFile : assetFiles) {
-            String assetPath = assetsFolderPath + File.separator + assetFile;
-            String externalPath = externalFolderPath + File.separator + assetFile;
-
-            if (assetManager.list(assetPath).length > 0) {
-                // It's a directory
-                // Check if the directory exists in the external storage
-                File externalDir = new File(externalPath);
-                if (!externalDir.exists()) {
-                    externalDir.mkdirs(); // Create the directory if it doesn't exist
-                }
-
-                // Recursively copy contents of the directory
-                copyAssetsToExternal(context, assetPath, externalPath);
+        String assets[] = null;
+        String tag = "AssetCopyUtil";
+        try {
+            Log.i(tag, "copyFileOrDir() " + srcpath);
+            assets = assetManager.list(srcpath);
+            if (assets.length == 0) {
+                copyFile(context, srcpath, destpath);
             } else {
-                // It's a file
-                File externalFile = new File(externalPath);
-                if (!externalFile.exists()) {
-                    // Check if the file exists in the external storage
-                    InputStream in = null;
-                    OutputStream out = null;
-
-                    try {
-                        in = assetManager.open(assetPath);
-                        out = new FileOutputStream(externalPath);
-
-                        byte[] buffer = new byte[1024];
-                        int read;
-                        while ((read = in.read(buffer)) != -1) {
-                            out.write(buffer, 0, read);
-                        }
-
-                    } finally {
-                        if (in != null) {
-                            in.close();
-                        }
-                        if (out != null) {
-                            out.close();
-                        }
-                    }
+                String fullPath = destpath + srcpath;
+                Log.i(tag, "path=" + fullPath);
+                File dir = new File(fullPath);
+                if (!dir.exists())
+                    if (!dir.mkdirs())
+                        Log.i(tag, "could not create dir " + fullPath);
+                for (int i = 0; i < assets.length; ++i) {
+                    String p;
+                    if (srcpath.isEmpty())
+                        p = "";
+                    else
+                        p = srcpath + "/";
+                    copyFileOrDir(context,p + assets[i], destpath);
                 }
             }
+        } catch (IOException ex) {
+            Log.e(tag, "I/O Exception", ex);
+        }
+    }
+
+    private static void copyFile(Context context, String filename, String destpath) {
+        AssetManager assetManager = context.getAssets();
+        InputStream in = null;
+        OutputStream out = null;
+        String newFileName = null;
+        String tag = "AssetCopyUtil";
+        try {
+            Log.i(tag, "copyFile() " + filename);
+            in = assetManager.open(filename);
+            newFileName = destpath + filename;
+            out = new FileOutputStream(newFileName);
+            byte[] buffer = new byte[1024];
+            int read;
+            while ((read = in.read(buffer)) != -1) {
+                out.write(buffer, 0, read);
+            }
+            in.close();
+            in = null;
+            out.flush();
+            out.close();
+            out = null;
+        } catch (Exception e) {
+            Log.e(tag, "Exception in copyFile() of " + newFileName);
+            Log.e(tag, "Exception in copyFile() " + e.toString());
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/com/dishii/soh/MainActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/com/dishii/soh/MainActivity.java
index 046c80c74..15ab09acc 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/com/dishii/soh/MainActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/com/dishii/soh/MainActivity.java
@@ -6,18 +6,11 @@
 import android.content.Intent;
 import android.content.SharedPreferences;
 import android.net.Uri;
+import android.os.Build;
 import android.os.Bundle;
 import android.os.Environment;
-import android.provider.Settings;
-import java.io.File;
-import java.io.IOException;
-import java.io.InputStream;
-import java.io.OutputStream;
-import java.io.FileOutputStream;
-import android.Manifest;
 import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
-import androidx.core.app.ActivityCompat;
-import androidx.core.content.ContextCompat;
+import android.provider.Settings;
 import android.view.ViewGroup;
 import android.widget.Button;
 import android.widget.FrameLayout;
@@ -25,29 +18,49 @@
 import android.view.MotionEvent;
 import android.view.View;
 import android.widget.ImageView;
-import android.util.Log;
+
+import java.io.File;
+import java.io.FileOutputStream;
+import java.io.IOException;
+import java.io.InputStream;
+import java.io.OutputStream;
 
 //This class is the main SDLActivity and just sets up a bunch of default files
-public class MainActivity extends SDLActivity{
+public class MainActivity extends SDLActivity {
 
-    private static final int STORAGE_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE = 1;
+    private static final int FILE_HANDLER_REQUEST_CODE = 0;
+    private static final int SPECIAL_STORAGE_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE = 1;
 
     SharedPreferences preferences;
 
+    private boolean hasSpecialExternalStoragePermission = false;
+
+    private boolean permissionPopupIsOpen = false;
+
+    // this is a case where I feel like it is actually clearer to have a double negative boolean,
+    // than to have one named "permissionPopupChargeIsAvailable = true", but you can let me know
+    // if you would prefer to reorganize this.
+    private boolean permissionPopupWasDeclined = false;
+
+    private boolean hasInstalledExternalAssetFiles = false;
+
+    @Override
+    protected String[] getLibraries() {
+        return new String[] {
+            "SDL2",
+            "soh"
+        };
+    }
+
     @Override
     protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
         super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
 
-        preferences = getSharedPreferences("com.dishii.soh.prefs",Context.MODE_PRIVATE);
+        preferences = getSharedPreferences("com.dishii.soh.prefs", Context.MODE_PRIVATE);
+
+        doVersionCheck();
 
         setupControllerOverlay();
-        // Check if storage permissions are granted
-        if (hasStoragePermission()) {
-            doVersionCheck();
-            setupFiles();
-        } else {
-            requestStoragePermission();
-        }
         attachController();
     }
 
@@ -56,99 +69,108 @@ private void doVersionCheck(){
         int storedVersion = preferences.getInt("appVersion", 1);
 
         if (currentVersion > storedVersion) {
-            deleteOutdatedAssets();
+            // I tend to just copy all assets on every app launch, overwriting the old ones,
+            // so that I don't have to change appVersion every time I need to make sure that the newest assets
+            // are guaranteed to always be present. Also, when /storage/emulated/0/com.dishii.soh is used, the assets
+            // could be from a whole different version of the app and that wouldn't be detected (at least by this
+            // particular SharedPreferences), so my way always overwrites those.
+            // My way is also very slow to load at every startup, which is ok for
+            // apps that have only a few external assets, but for apps like this one that have
+            // a lot of external assets, the slowness is pretty severe. Let me know if that is not desirable
+            // and you would prefer it to work differently.
+            //deleteOutdatedAssets();
             preferences.edit().putInt("appVersion", currentVersion).apply();
         }
     }
 
-    private void deleteOutdatedAssets(){
-        File externalSohFile = new File(getExternalFilesDir(null), "soh.otr");
-        externalSohFile.delete();
-        File externalOotFile = new File(getExternalFilesDir(null), "oot.otr");
-        externalOotFile.delete();
-        File externalOotMqFile = new File(getExternalFilesDir(null), "oot-mq.otr");
-        externalOotMqFile.delete();
-        File externalAssetsFolder = new File(getExternalFilesDir(null), "assets");
-        deleteRecursive(externalAssetsFolder);
+    // called from native code through JNI where necessary
+    public String getExternalAssetsPath() {
+        // the original location, /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.dishii.soh/files,
+        // can be the fallback if the user denies the permission
+        String externalAssetsPath = getExternalFilesDir(null).getAbsolutePath();
 
-    }
+        if (!permissionPopupWasDeclined) {
+            requestSpecialExternalStoragePermission();
+        }
 
-    private void deleteRecursive(File fileOrDirectory) {
-        if (fileOrDirectory.isDirectory()) {
-            for (File child : fileOrDirectory.listFiles()) {
-                deleteRecursive(child);
+        while(permissionPopupIsOpen) {
+            // Do nothing until a permission is chosen
+            try {
+                Thread.sleep(250);
+            } catch (InterruptedException e) {
+                // do nothing
             }
         }
-        fileOrDirectory.delete();
-    }
 
+        if (hasSpecialExternalStoragePermission) {
+            // /storage/emulated/0/com.dishii.soh, also mounted at /sdcard/com.dishii.soh
+            externalAssetsPath = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory().getAbsolutePath() + "/" + getApplicationContext().getPackageName();
+        }
 
+        if (!hasInstalledExternalAssetFiles) {
+            setupFiles(externalAssetsPath);
+        }
 
-    // Check if storage permission is granted
-    private boolean hasStoragePermission() {
-        return ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE)
-                == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED &&
-                ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE)
-                        == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED;
+        return externalAssetsPath;
     }
 
-    // Request storage permission
-    private void requestStoragePermission() {
-        ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this,
-                new String[]{Manifest.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE,
-                        Manifest.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE},
-                STORAGE_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE);
+    // Request the special external storage permission
+    private void requestSpecialExternalStoragePermission() {
+        // Android 5 or older
+        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT <= Build.VERSION_CODES.LOLLIPOP_MR1) {
+            hasSpecialExternalStoragePermission = true;
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Android 10 or older
+        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT <= Build.VERSION_CODES.Q) {
+            if (checkSelfPermission("android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE") == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
+                hasSpecialExternalStoragePermission = true;
+                return;
+            }
+
+            requestPermissions(new String[]{"android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"}, SPECIAL_STORAGE_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE);
+            permissionPopupIsOpen = true;
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // Android 11 or newer
+        if (Environment.isExternalStorageManager()) {
+            hasSpecialExternalStoragePermission = true;
+            return;
+        }
+
+        try {
+            Intent intent = new Intent(Settings.ACTION_MANAGE_APP_ALL_FILES_ACCESS_PERMISSION);
+            intent.addCategory("android.intent.category.DEFAULT");
+            intent.setData(Uri.parse(String.format("package:%s", getApplicationContext().getPackageName())));
+            startActivityForResult(intent, SPECIAL_STORAGE_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE);
+        } catch (Exception e) {
+            Intent intent = new Intent();
+            intent.setAction(Settings.ACTION_MANAGE_ALL_FILES_ACCESS_PERMISSION);
+            startActivityForResult(intent, SPECIAL_STORAGE_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE);
+        }
+
+        permissionPopupIsOpen = true;
     }
 
     // Handle permission request result
     @Override
     public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, String[] permissions, int[] grantResults) {
         super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
-        if (requestCode == STORAGE_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE) {
+        if (requestCode == SPECIAL_STORAGE_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE) {
             if (grantResults.length > 0 && grantResults[0] == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
-                setupFiles();
+                hasSpecialExternalStoragePermission = true;
             } else {
-                // Permission denied, handle accordingly (e.g., show a message)
+                permissionPopupWasDeclined = true;
             }
+            permissionPopupIsOpen = false;
         }
     }
 
-    private void setupFiles(){
-        //Copy assets folder for rom extraction
-        File externalAssetsDir = new File(getExternalFilesDir(null), "assets");
-        if (!externalAssetsDir.exists()) {
-            try {
-                externalAssetsDir.mkdirs();
-                AssetCopyUtil.copyAssetsToExternal(this, "assets", externalAssetsDir.getAbsolutePath());
-            } catch (IOException e) {
-                e.printStackTrace();
-            }
-        }
-
-        //Create empty mods folder
-        File externalModsDir = new File(getExternalFilesDir(null), "mods");
-        externalModsDir.mkdirs();
-
-        //Copy soh.otr
-        File externalSohOtrFile = new File(getExternalFilesDir(null), "soh.otr");
-        if (!externalSohOtrFile.exists()) {
-            try {
-                InputStream in = getAssets().open("soh.otr");
-                OutputStream out = new FileOutputStream(externalSohOtrFile);
-
-                byte[] buffer = new byte[1024];
-                int read;
-                while ((read = in.read(buffer)) != -1) {
-                    out.write(buffer, 0, read);
-                }
-
-                in.close();
-                out.close();
-            } catch (IOException e) {
-                e.printStackTrace();
-            }
-        }
-
+    private void setupFiles(String externalAssetsPath) {
+        AssetCopyUtil.copyAssetsToExternal(this, externalAssetsPath);
+        hasInstalledExternalAssetFiles = true;
     }
 
     private native void nativeHandleSelectedFile(String filePath);
@@ -156,10 +178,11 @@ private void setupFiles(){
     @Override
     protected void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
         super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data);
-        if (requestCode == 0 && resultCode == RESULT_OK) {
+
+        if (requestCode == FILE_HANDLER_REQUEST_CODE && resultCode == RESULT_OK) {
             Uri selectedFileUri = data.getData();
             String fileName = "ZELOOTD.z64";
-            File destinationDirectory = getExternalFilesDir(null); // The second argument can specify a subdirectory, or you can pass null to use the root directory.
+            String destinationDirectory = getExternalAssetsPath();
             File destinationFile = new File(destinationDirectory, fileName);
 
             if (destinationDirectory != null) {
@@ -181,8 +204,20 @@ protected void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
             }
             nativeHandleSelectedFile(destinationFile.getPath());
         }
+
+        if (requestCode == SPECIAL_STORAGE_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE) {
+            if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.R /* Android 11 or newer */) {
+                if (Environment.isExternalStorageManager()) {
+                    hasSpecialExternalStoragePermission = true;
+                } else {
+                    permissionPopupWasDeclined = true;
+                }
+            }
+            permissionPopupIsOpen = false;
+        }
     }
 
+    // called from native code through JNI where necessary
     public void openFilePicker() {
         // Create an Intent to open the file picker dialog
         Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT);
@@ -192,14 +227,6 @@ public void openFilePicker() {
         startActivityForResult(intent, 0);
     }
 
-    // Check if external storage is available and writable
-    private boolean isExternalStorageWritable() {
-        String state = Environment.getExternalStorageState();
-        return Environment.MEDIA_MOUNTED.equals(state);
-    }
-
-
-
     public native void attachController();
     public native void detachController();
     // Native method for setting button state
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/HIDDeviceManager.java b/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/HIDDeviceManager.java
index 83f295d56..21a1c1d18 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/HIDDeviceManager.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/HIDDeviceManager.java
@@ -273,9 +273,11 @@ private boolean isXboxOneController(UsbDevice usbDevice, UsbInterface usbInterfa
         final int XB1_IFACE_SUBCLASS = 71;
         final int XB1_IFACE_PROTOCOL = 208;
         final int[] SUPPORTED_VENDORS = {
+            0x03f0, // HP
             0x044f, // Thrustmaster
             0x045e, // Microsoft
             0x0738, // Mad Catz
+            0x0b05, // ASUS
             0x0e6f, // PDP
             0x0f0d, // Hori
             0x10f5, // Turtle Beach
@@ -284,7 +286,7 @@ private boolean isXboxOneController(UsbDevice usbDevice, UsbInterface usbInterfa
             0x24c6, // PowerA
             0x2dc8, // 8BitDo
             0x2e24, // Hyperkin
-            //0x3537, // Gamesir
+            0x3537, // GameSir
         };
 
         if (usbInterface.getId() == 0 &&
@@ -358,6 +360,12 @@ private void connectHIDDeviceUSB(UsbDevice usbDevice) {
     private void initializeBluetooth() {
         Log.d(TAG, "Initializing Bluetooth");
 
+        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 31 /* Android 12  */ &&
+            mContext.getPackageManager().checkPermission(android.Manifest.permission.BLUETOOTH_CONNECT, mContext.getPackageName()) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
+            Log.d(TAG, "Couldn't initialize Bluetooth, missing android.permission.BLUETOOTH_CONNECT");
+            return;
+        }
+
         if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT <= 30 /* Android 11.0 (R) */ &&
             mContext.getPackageManager().checkPermission(android.Manifest.permission.BLUETOOTH, mContext.getPackageName()) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
             Log.d(TAG, "Couldn't initialize Bluetooth, missing android.permission.BLUETOOTH");
@@ -583,7 +591,13 @@ public boolean openDevice(int deviceID) {
                 } else {
                     flags = 0;
                 }
-                mUsbManager.requestPermission(usbDevice, PendingIntent.getBroadcast(mContext, 0, new Intent(HIDDeviceManager.ACTION_USB_PERMISSION), flags));
+                if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 33 /* Android 14.0 (U) */) {
+                   Intent intent = new Intent(HIDDeviceManager.ACTION_USB_PERMISSION);
+                   intent.setPackage(mContext.getPackageName());
+                   mUsbManager.requestPermission(usbDevice, PendingIntent.getBroadcast(mContext, 0, intent, flags));
+               } else {
+                   mUsbManager.requestPermission(usbDevice, PendingIntent.getBroadcast(mContext, 0, new Intent(HIDDeviceManager.ACTION_USB_PERMISSION), flags));
+               }
             } catch (Exception e) {
                 Log.v(TAG, "Couldn't request permission for USB device " + usbDevice);
                 HIDDeviceOpenResult(deviceID, false);
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/SDL.java b/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/SDL.java
index 44c21c1c7..139be9d15 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/SDL.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/SDL.java
@@ -38,6 +38,10 @@ public static Context getContext() {
     }
 
     public static void loadLibrary(String libraryName) throws UnsatisfiedLinkError, SecurityException, NullPointerException {
+        loadLibrary(libraryName, mContext);
+    }
+
+    public static void loadLibrary(String libraryName, Context context) throws UnsatisfiedLinkError, SecurityException, NullPointerException {
 
         if (libraryName == null) {
             throw new NullPointerException("No library name provided.");
@@ -53,10 +57,10 @@ public static void loadLibrary(String libraryName) throws UnsatisfiedLinkError,
             // To use ReLinker, just add it as a dependency.  For more information, see 
             // https://github.com/KeepSafe/ReLinker for ReLinker's repository.
             //
-            Class<?> relinkClass = mContext.getClassLoader().loadClass("com.getkeepsafe.relinker.ReLinker");
-            Class<?> relinkListenerClass = mContext.getClassLoader().loadClass("com.getkeepsafe.relinker.ReLinker$LoadListener");
-            Class<?> contextClass = mContext.getClassLoader().loadClass("android.content.Context");
-            Class<?> stringClass = mContext.getClassLoader().loadClass("java.lang.String");
+            Class<?> relinkClass = context.getClassLoader().loadClass("com.getkeepsafe.relinker.ReLinker");
+            Class<?> relinkListenerClass = context.getClassLoader().loadClass("com.getkeepsafe.relinker.ReLinker$LoadListener");
+            Class<?> contextClass = context.getClassLoader().loadClass("android.content.Context");
+            Class<?> stringClass = context.getClassLoader().loadClass("java.lang.String");
 
             // Get a 'force' instance of the ReLinker, so we can ensure libraries are reinstalled if 
             // they've changed during updates.
@@ -66,7 +70,7 @@ public static void loadLibrary(String libraryName) throws UnsatisfiedLinkError,
 
             // Actually load the library!
             Method loadMethod = relinkInstanceClass.getDeclaredMethod("loadLibrary", contextClass, stringClass, stringClass, relinkListenerClass);
-            loadMethod.invoke(relinkInstance, mContext, libraryName, null, null);
+            loadMethod.invoke(relinkInstance, context, libraryName, null, null);
         }
         catch (final Throwable e) {
             // Fall back
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/SDLActivity.java b/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/SDLActivity.java
index b5a6c095c..27ecad87d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/SDLActivity.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/SDLActivity.java
@@ -60,8 +60,8 @@
 public class SDLActivity extends Activity implements View.OnSystemUiVisibilityChangeListener {
     private static final String TAG = "SDL";
     private static final int SDL_MAJOR_VERSION = 2;
-    private static final int SDL_MINOR_VERSION = 28;
-    private static final int SDL_MICRO_VERSION = 1;
+    private static final int SDL_MINOR_VERSION = 32;
+    private static final int SDL_MICRO_VERSION = 0;
 /*
     // Display InputType.SOURCE/CLASS of events and devices
     //
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ public static void debugSource(int sources, String prefix) {
                 | InputDevice.SOURCE_CLASS_POSITION
                 | InputDevice.SOURCE_CLASS_TRACKBALL);
 
-        if (s2 != 0) cls += "Some_Unkown";
+        if (s2 != 0) cls += "Some_Unknown";
 
         s2 = s_copy & InputDevice.SOURCE_ANY; // keep source only, no class;
 
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ public static void debugSource(int sources, String prefix) {
         if (s == FLAG_TAINTED) src += " FLAG_TAINTED";
         s2 &= ~FLAG_TAINTED;
 
-        if (s2 != 0) src += " Some_Unkown";
+        if (s2 != 0) src += " Some_Unknown";
 
         Log.v(TAG, prefix + "int=" + s_copy + " CLASS={" + cls + " } source(s):" + src);
     }
@@ -274,14 +274,14 @@ protected String[] getLibraries() {
             // "SDL2_mixer",
             // "SDL2_net",
             // "SDL2_ttf",
-                "soh"
+            "main"
         };
     }
 
     // Load the .so
     public void loadLibraries() {
        for (String lib : getLibraries()) {
-          SDL.loadLibrary(lib);
+          SDL.loadLibrary(lib, this);
        }
     }
 
@@ -790,6 +790,9 @@ public void handleMessage(Message msg) {
                                 window.clearFlags(WindowManager.LayoutParams.FLAG_FULLSCREEN);
                                 SDLActivity.mFullscreenModeActive = false;
                             }
+                            if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 28 /* Android 9 (Pie) */) {
+                                window.getAttributes().layoutInDisplayCutoutMode = WindowManager.LayoutParams.LAYOUT_IN_DISPLAY_CUTOUT_MODE_SHORT_EDGES;
+                            }
                         }
                     } else {
                         Log.e(TAG, "error handling message, getContext() returned no Activity");
@@ -995,8 +998,8 @@ public void setOrientationBis(int w, int h, boolean resizable, String hint)
         /* No valid hint, nothing is explicitly allowed */
         if (!is_portrait_allowed && !is_landscape_allowed) {
             if (resizable) {
-                /* All orientations are allowed */
-                req = ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_FULL_SENSOR;
+                /* All orientations are allowed, respecting user orientation lock setting */
+                req = ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_FULL_USER;
             } else {
                 /* Fixed window and nothing specified. Get orientation from w/h of created window */
                 req = (w > h ? ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_SENSOR_LANDSCAPE : ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_SENSOR_PORTRAIT);
@@ -1005,8 +1008,8 @@ public void setOrientationBis(int w, int h, boolean resizable, String hint)
             /* At least one orientation is allowed */
             if (resizable) {
                 if (is_portrait_allowed && is_landscape_allowed) {
-                    /* hint allows both landscape and portrait, promote to full sensor */
-                    req = ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_FULL_SENSOR;
+                    /* hint allows both landscape and portrait, promote to full user */
+                    req = ActivityInfo.SCREEN_ORIENTATION_FULL_USER;
                 } else {
                     /* Use the only one allowed "orientation" */
                     req = (is_landscape_allowed ? orientation_landscape : orientation_portrait);
@@ -1345,23 +1348,6 @@ public static boolean handleKeyEvent(View v, int keyCode, KeyEvent event, InputC
             }
         }
 
-        if ((source & InputDevice.SOURCE_KEYBOARD) == InputDevice.SOURCE_KEYBOARD) {
-            if (event.getAction() == KeyEvent.ACTION_DOWN) {
-                if (isTextInputEvent(event)) {
-                    if (ic != null) {
-                        ic.commitText(String.valueOf((char) event.getUnicodeChar()), 1);
-                    } else {
-                        SDLInputConnection.nativeCommitText(String.valueOf((char) event.getUnicodeChar()), 1);
-                    }
-                }
-                onNativeKeyDown(keyCode);
-                return true;
-            } else if (event.getAction() == KeyEvent.ACTION_UP) {
-                onNativeKeyUp(keyCode);
-                return true;
-            }
-        }
-
         if ((source & InputDevice.SOURCE_MOUSE) == InputDevice.SOURCE_MOUSE) {
             // on some devices key events are sent for mouse BUTTON_BACK/FORWARD presses
             // they are ignored here because sending them as mouse input to SDL is messy
@@ -1376,6 +1362,21 @@ public static boolean handleKeyEvent(View v, int keyCode, KeyEvent event, InputC
             }
         }
 
+        if (event.getAction() == KeyEvent.ACTION_DOWN) {
+            if (isTextInputEvent(event)) {
+                if (ic != null) {
+                    ic.commitText(String.valueOf((char) event.getUnicodeChar()), 1);
+                } else {
+                    SDLInputConnection.nativeCommitText(String.valueOf((char) event.getUnicodeChar()), 1);
+                }
+            }
+            onNativeKeyDown(keyCode);
+            return true;
+        } else if (event.getAction() == KeyEvent.ACTION_UP) {
+            onNativeKeyUp(keyCode);
+            return true;
+        }
+
         return false;
     }
 
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/SDLControllerManager.java b/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/SDLControllerManager.java
index d6913f157..9d8b20b7b 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/SDLControllerManager.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/libsdl/app/SDLControllerManager.java
@@ -546,13 +546,15 @@ public void pollHapticDevices() {
             if (haptic == null) {
                 InputDevice device = InputDevice.getDevice(deviceIds[i]);
                 Vibrator vib = device.getVibrator();
-                if (vib.hasVibrator()) {
-                    haptic = new SDLHaptic();
-                    haptic.device_id = deviceIds[i];
-                    haptic.name = device.getName();
-                    haptic.vib = vib;
-                    mHaptics.add(haptic);
-                    SDLControllerManager.nativeAddHaptic(haptic.device_id, haptic.name);
+                if (vib != null) {
+                    if (vib.hasVibrator()) {
+                        haptic = new SDLHaptic();
+                        haptic.device_id = deviceIds[i];
+                        haptic.name = device.getName();
+                        haptic.vib = vib;
+                        mHaptics.add(haptic);
+                        SDLControllerManager.nativeAddHaptic(haptic.device_id, haptic.name);
+                    }
                 }
             }
         }
diff --git a/build.gradle b/build.gradle
index 6f629c8aa..7979d9b51 100644
--- a/build.gradle
+++ b/build.gradle
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ buildscript {
         google()
     }
     dependencies {
-        classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:7.0.3'
+        classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:8.8.0'
 
         // NOTE: Do not place your application dependencies here; they belong
         // in the individual module build.gradle files
diff --git a/gradle.properties b/gradle.properties
index 48e100c5f..5805894a2 100644
--- a/gradle.properties
+++ b/gradle.properties
@@ -18,3 +18,9 @@ org.gradle.jvmargs=-Xmx1536m
 # org.gradle.parallel=true
 
 android.useAndroidX=true
+android.nonTransitiveRClass=false
+android.nonFinalResIds=false
+
+# set to Release or RelWithDebInfo to avoid assertion failure on title screen
+# with the "Art Plus Link" player model
+elfBuildType=Debug
diff --git a/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties b/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties
index ada5af48a..11b88e4a8 100644
--- a/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties
+++ b/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-#Thu Nov 11 18:20:34 PST 2021
+#Wed Feb 12 06:17:56 CST 2025
 distributionBase=GRADLE_USER_HOME
-distributionUrl=https\://services.gradle.org/distributions/gradle-7.3-bin.zip
 distributionPath=wrapper/dists
-zipStorePath=wrapper/dists
+distributionUrl=https\://services.gradle.org/distributions/gradle-8.10.2-bin.zip
 zipStoreBase=GRADLE_USER_HOME
+zipStorePath=wrapper/dists