Winlator Frost (often styled as Winlator@Frost) is a community mod of Winlator that adds extra performance tuning, drivers, and tools on top of the official emulator. It is designed for users who want more control, better presets, and a “batteries included” experience for running Windows games on Android.
This guide explains what Winlator Frost is, where to download it safely, which versions are available, and how to install and configure it step by step.
What Is Winlator Frost?
Winlator Frost is a custom build of Winlator aimed at users who:
- Want extra graphics driver options (Turnip, VirGL, Vortek, multiple DXVK versions).
- Need ready‑to‑use tools and presets in the start menu (wrappers, DXVK fixes, CD tools, file managers).
- Prefer a pre‑tuned environment with updated Box64, DXVK, and additional environment variable presets.
Key characteristics:
- Built on top of official Winlator (for example, 9.x, 10.x).
- Uses native GlibC in recent versions (not legacy musl).
- Available both as normal and Proot builds for users who cannot or do not want to use certain system features.
Because it adds many extra components, Frost is better suited to intermediate and advanced users who are comfortable testing and tweaking settings.
Main Features
Recent Winlator Frost releases include:
- Multiple graphics backends and drivers
- DX wrappers and tools built in
- Updated Box64 and configs
- Quality‑of‑life improvements
Winlator Frost Versions (GitHub Releases)
All official Frost releases are listed on the maintainer’s GitHub page. Below is a concise table of notable Frost versions, including the latest v10.1 builds.
| Version (tag/label) | Developer (GitHub) | Type / notes | Releases (download) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winlator@Frost 10.1 V3 (Latest) | MrPhryaNikFrosty | Latest Frost as of October 2025; improves FPS counter, fixes component downloads, updates theme, and includes bug fixes/performance improvements. | https://github.com/MrPhryaNikFrosty/Winlator-Frost/releases (select Winlator@Frost 10.1 V3) |
| Winlator@Frost 10.1 V2 | MrPhryaNikFrosty | Intermediate 10.1 build with further bug fixes and adjustments after V1; details in release notes. | Same Releases page, tag Winlator@Frost 10.1 V2. |
| Winlator@Frost 10.1 V1 | MrPhryaNikFrosty | First 10.1 series release; adds updated Box64, DXVK tweaks, UI/theme changes, and performance optimizations. | Same Releases page, tag Winlator@Frost 10.1 V1. |
| Hotfix Winlator@Frost 10.0Final V4.1 | MrPhryaNikFrosty | Hotfix build for 10.0 Final series, improving localization (for example, Thai), fixing fonts and various bugs. | Same Releases page, tag 10.0Final V4.1. |
| Winlator@Frost 10.0Final V4 / V3 / V2 | MrPhryaNikFrosty | 10.0 Final series with DXVK 2.x support, Turnip updates, new wrappers, and restructured RootFS. | Same Releases page, tags 10.0Final V4, 10.0Final V3, 10.0Final V2. |
| Winlator@Frost 10.0b2 V1 | MrPhryaNikFrosty | Beta build in the 10.0 line; adds wrappers, CD tools, DXVK fixes, and new drivers in the prefix. | Same Releases page, tag 10.0b2 V1. |
| Winlator@Frost 9.0 V4 / V3 (Proot) | MrPhryaNikFrosty | Frost based on Winlator 9.0 with Proot; rebuilt APK and RootFS; adds new languages and improves Proot experience. | Same Releases page, tags 9.0 V4 (Proot) and 9.0 V3 Stable (Proot). |
| Winlator@Frost 7.1 and 7.0 series (legacy) | MrPhryaNikFrosty | Older Frost series (7.0/7.1) still referenced by some guides and tools hubs; kept mainly for legacy devices. | Same Releases page, tags for 7.x (scroll down). |
Safe Download Sources
Gl i bC Frost builds are distributed as APKs on the maintainer’s GitHub.
Safe download rules:
- Use the official Releases page only: https://github.com/MrPhryaNikFrosty/Winlator-Frost/releases.
- Avoid APK re‑uploads on random sites or short‑link mirrors not controlled by the developer; some malware analysis sites show re‑packaged Frost builds circulating.
- Always check the version tag and date; prefer the latest stable release (for example, Winlator@Frost 10.1 V3 at the time of writing).
- On winlator.dev, link to the relevant GitHub release rather than hosting or modifying the APK.
How to Install Winlator Frost on Android
1. Prepare Your Device
- Android 9.0 or newer is recommended for recent Frost and Winlator 10.x builds.
- Ensure you have enough space (at least several GB free) for games and containers.
Enable APK installation:
- Open Settings → Security / Privacy → Install unknown apps.
- Allow installation from your browser or file manager.
2. Download Winlator Frost
- Visit the official Releases page:
https://github.com/MrPhryaNikFrosty/Winlator-Frost/releases. - Download the APK for the Frost version you want (for example, Winlator@Frost 10.1 V3).
If you already have an older Frost version:
- You may need to uninstall the old APK or read the release notes to see if installing over is supported.
3. Install the APK
- Open your downloads folder and tap the Frost APK.
- Tap Install and wait until it completes.
- Launch Winlator Frost and grant required permissions.
- Wait while initial system files are installed; this happens only on first run.
Basic Setup: Creating a Container in Frost
Once Frost is installed, the container flow is similar to official Winlator but with extra options.
1. Create a New Container
- Tap the + icon in Frost’s main screen.
- Give the container a clear name (for example, “Frost‑RPG”, “Frost‑GTA”, etc.).
2. Choose Resolution
- Start with 800×600 or 960×544 for heavier games.
- You can switch to higher resolutions (for example, 1280×720) on powerful devices.
3. Select Graphics Driver
Different GPUs require different choices:
- Adreno (Snapdragon) – Use Turnip or Turnip‑based drivers shipped in Frost; later Frost versions include updated Turnip builds in the prefix.
- Mali / MediaTek / Exynos – Use VirGL or Vortek where available; these options are mentioned in Frost’s release notes and GPU guides.
- Others (Kirin/Unisoc) – VirGL fallback is usually recommended; performance varies.
Exact driver names and combinations can change between Frost versions, so always read the release notes of the version you are using.
4. Select DX Wrapper
Within the container settings (or via built‑in tools):
- DXVK – best for many DirectX 9–11 games; multiple versions may be included.
- WineD3D – useful for compatibility if DXVK fails.
- Special wrappers – Frost adds wrappers like d3d8to9, dgVoodoo, and dxwrapper for older DirectX games.
Start with the recommended default for your GPU, then test alternatives if a game misbehaves.
5. Box64 and Advanced Settings
In Container Settings → Advanced:
- Choose the Box64 preset: default, compatibility, or performance, depending on your device and game type.
- Some Frost versions update Box64 to match Bruno’s latest releases and include tuned presets for heavy games.
- Check environment variables (for example, for VirGL:
MESA_GL_VERSION_OVERRIDEvalues recommended in the Frost README).
Performance Tips for Winlator Frost
Frost gives more knobs to tweak, but a few core tips apply:
- Use performance presets for Box64 on high‑end devices if games are stable.
- Watch your resolution and graphics settings; 800×600 or 960×544 is often enough on mobile screens.
- For VirGL on new Winlator versions, set or adjust
MESA_GL_VERSION_OVERRIDEas recommended in Frost’s README (for example, 2.1 or 3.1COMPAT–3.3COMPAT depending on Winlator version). - Turn on an FPS overlay (Frost includes an FPS counter; some builds also allow MangoHud setup).
Troubleshooting in Frost
The Frost README and discussions provide a lot of practical advice.
Common tips:
- Performance issues – Try a different Box64 preset, lower resolution, or different driver (Turnip vs VirGL vs Zink/Vortek).
- Older games not starting – Add
MESA_EXTENSION_MAX_YEAR=2003for older titles, and adjust or restore it for newer Unity/Unreal games (for example, 2025). - VirGL issues – Adjust
MESA_GL_VERSION_OVERRIDEas per the Frost README (2.1, 3.1COMPAT, etc.). - Crashes in specific versions – Check the Discussions and latest release notes; hotfixes like 10.0 Final V4.1 exist for exactly this reason.
Winlator Frost is powerful but complex: it is best for users who are comfortable experimenting with drivers, DXVK versions, environment variables, and Box64 presets. With careful setup and reading of the release notes, Frost can significantly improve compatibility and performance for many Windows games on Android—especially on capable Snapdragon devices and even some Mali/Exynos hardware using VirGL or Vortek.