"Failed to write BIOS image" in AetherSX2 typically indicates a permission conflict where the app cannot save its internal BIOS configuration to its own protected directory
The "AetherSX2 failed to write bios image" error is a frustrating roadblock, but it is almost always solvable. In 90% of cases, the issue is either a zipped BIOS file, a missing storage permission, or a corrupted BIOS dump. aethersx2 failed to write bios image
Work through these solutions in order. The first one might solve the issue immediately. "Failed to write BIOS image" in AetherSX2 typically
Unlike a PC, where file access is relatively open, Android has a strict permission structure known as "Scoped Storage." Introduced in Android 11, Scoped Storage restricts what apps can see and do with files outside of their own directories. This is a security feature designed to protect user privacy, but it often causes headaches for emulators that need to read and write system files. The first one might solve the issue immediately
Perhaps the most common hurdle new users encounter is the dreaded notification:
If granting permissions didn't solve the issue, you are likely fighting against Android's Scoped Storage system. Sometimes, the emulator fails to copy the file programmatically. In this case, we can bypass the app's internal copy process by manually placing the file where the app expects to find it.
Long-press the AetherSX2 icon, select App Info , go to Permissions , and ensure Files and Media (or Storage) is set to "Allow management of all files".