What are you playing on?
Picks in blue change to match. Saved on this device only.
The short version
Quiver Launcher is one app to find, install, update and play the fan projects people put on GitHub and GitLab, like PC ports and recompilations. Thomas Georgiadis makes it. I covered version 3 in October.
Version 4 is a new launcher, rebuilt from the ground up in the project's own words. It's still a beta. The fourth beta came out on November 10, and the stable release is still 3.5.1.
The biggest change is that it can set up your own copy of a game for you, on the ports marked Easy setup. You tell it which folders your games are in, and it finds the right file and checks it.
Version 4 isn't open source. You can read all of its code, but its license has rules for the first year, and each release turns MIT a year after it first comes out. Version 3 and earlier stay MIT.
It sends usage data unless you turn it off. The switch is in the first-start setup and in Settings.
- Quiver hosts no game files. Every port needs your own copy of the game, and this guide doesn't cover how to get one.
- Only download Quiver from the project's own Releases page on GitHub. The project says a copy from anywhere else isn't made by them.
- It's a beta, so expect rough edges. Version 3.5.1 still works if you'd rather wait.
What's new in version 4
From the project's README and its four beta release notes.
It sets up your own copy
About 240 ports. Many ports play your own copy of the original game. On the apps marked Easy setup, Quiver looks in your game folders, lists the files that look like the game first, and checks your copy against copies known to be good. If it's the wrong file, it tells you why. Then it puts the copy where the port expects it. More are added as their setups are filled in. For the rest, you set up your copy the way each port's own README says.
Checked downloads
Every file. When a catalog app puts out a release, Quiver records a checksum of each file, a kind of fingerprint. Every download is compared with it, and a file that changed since is refused. The project is plain about the limit. It checks that you get the file the developer published, and it can't promise that file is safe.
A 48 hour wait
On for every update. Updates are offered once a release has been out for 48 hours, which leaves time to withdraw a harmful one. You can still update an app early yourself. The README also says you can choose to get every update right away. That choice was added to the code on November 11, after the fourth beta, and wasn't in a release yet on November 15.
Mods
Built in. Browse, install and update mods from Thunderstore and GameBanana, for the apps that support them.
TV mode
For a controller. A full-screen launcher for a controller, with large box art and a clock. It comes on by itself in the Steam Deck's Game Mode, and it scales with your screen, so it looks right on a 4K TV. You can use all of Quiver with a controller now, not only TV mode.
More than one apps folder
Keep apps where they are. Settings, Apps folder lists every folder your apps are in, with how many apps and how much free space each has. Changing the folder no longer moves everything. Install to and Move to pick a folder for one app, and moving to another drive copies and checks an app before the original is deleted.
Your version 3 library
Comes with you. On a computer, version 4 installs beside version 3 and leaves it as it is. On its first start it finds your version 3 folder, or asks where it is, and adds your apps. Anything already installed stays where it is and plays from there, so nothing needs downloading again. On Android, version 4 replaces version 3. Your apps stay on the phone, but the library doesn't come over.
What you need
No account and no payment. Just a device and your own games.
Windows, a Mac, Linux or a Steam Deck
One Mac download works on Intel and Apple silicon. Linux gets an AppImage or a Flatpak, and the Steam Deck uses the same Linux files.
Download tableAndroid 7 or newer
The Android build is one APK for 64-bit ARM phones and handhelds. Easy setup isn't on Android or iOS yet, so a port there that needs your copy is set up the way its own README says.
Download tableYour own copy of each game
Most ports play your own copy of the original game, like a ROM, a disc image or a data folder. Quiver hosts no game files, and this guide doesn't cover how to get your copy onto a device.
Room for the ports
Quiver itself is small. The ports take the room, and each one can go on another drive or folder, like a Steam Deck's microSD card.
None needed
GitHub downloads need no account, and Quiver works without one too. Signing in to Quiver, with GitHub, Discord or an email, only keeps your library and playlists the same on every device.
READMEDownload and set up
From the Releases page to your first port, with what you'll see at each step.
- 1
Know where you're going
Quiver lives on GitHub, a site where people share code. Every download there is free, and you don't need an account or to sign in. The project says official downloads come only from its Releases page and from Quiver's own updates.
- 2
Open the newest beta
Go to the Releases page. A release is a finished version people can download. The newest is at the top, and on November 15 that's 4.0.0-beta.4, with a Pre-release label. Scroll down to Assets in it. Ignore the files ending in .sig and the Source code links, those are for checking and for developers.
- 3
Pick the Windows zip For Windows
Click QuiverLauncher-win-Portable.zip. It's about 8 MB. There's also a file ending in x64-setup.exe, which is an installer, but the project recommends the zip.
- 4
Unzip it and open Quiver For Windows
In your Downloads folder, right-click the zip, choose Extract All, and pick a folder you'll keep, since Quiver runs from there. Open that folder and double-click QuiverLauncher.exe. It updates itself from then on. If Windows shows a blue Windows protected your PC box, click More info, then Run anyway, only for the file you got from the project's own page.
- 5
Pick the Mac file For Mac
Click the file ending in universal.dmg. It's about 18 MB, and it's the same file for Intel and Apple silicon Macs.
- 6
Drag it into Applications For Mac
Open the dmg from your Downloads folder and drag Quiver Launcher into Applications. Then open it from Applications. If macOS says it can't check the app, open System Settings, then Privacy and Security, scroll down and click Open Anyway, only for the file from the project's own page.
- 7
Switch to Desktop Mode For Steam Deck
Press the Steam button, open Power and choose Switch to Desktop. Open a browser there and go to the Releases page.
- 8
Pick the AppImage or the Flatpak For Linux and Steam Deck
The file ending in amd64.AppImage runs on its own and is about 189 MB. The one ending in x86_64.flatpak installs like other Flatpak apps and is about 109 MB. Pick the AppImage if you're not sure.
- 9
Make the AppImage runnable For Linux and Steam Deck
In your file manager, right-click the AppImage, open Properties, and on Permissions allow it to run as a program. Then double-click it. For the Flatpak instead, open a terminal in your Downloads folder and run the command below with the file's full name after it.
flatpak install --user --bundle QuiverLauncher_4.0.0-beta.4_x86_64.flatpak - 10
Add it to Steam For Steam Deck
Right-click the AppImage and choose Add to Steam, or in Steam use Add a Non-Steam Game. Switch back to Game Mode and start Quiver from your library. TV mode comes on by itself there.
- 11
Download the APK on your phone For Android
On your phone, open the Releases page and tap the file ending in arm64.apk under Assets. It's about 23 MB.
- 12
Install it For Android
Open the file from your downloads. Android asks you to allow installing from this source, which is your browser or file manager. Allow it, go back and tap Install. On a phone that has version 3, this replaces it.
- 13
Welcome to Quiver Launcher
The first start asks a few questions in turn, and the first one is your language. Next goes on and Back goes back. Skip setup leaves the rest for later, and every answer can be changed in Settings after.
- 14
Coming from Quiver Launcher 3? For Every device but Android
If you used version 3, Quiver finds its folder or asks you to choose it, then offers to add your apps. Anything already installed stays where it is. If you never used version 3, press Not now.
- 15
Where apps install For Every device but Android
New apps install in the folder shown. Pick another drive or folder if this one is short of space, like a Steam Deck's microSD card.
- 16
Where are your games? For Every device but Android
This is for Easy setup. Choose a console, then add the folder you keep your own copies of its games in. Quiver looks in those folders and nowhere else. Not now skips it, and Quiver asks again the first time a port needs your copy.
- 17
Usage data
The switch reads Send usage data. Outside the EU, the UK and Switzerland it starts on, and inside them nothing is sent until you allow it. Untick it here if you don't want it sent. The settings step below explains what it covers.
- 18
Sign in to sync your library
This is optional, and everything works without an account. Press Start using Quiver to finish.
- 19
Get your first port
Open Browse and pick a port. Add puts it in your library, then Install downloads it. On a port marked Easy setup, Play opens a setup window that finds your copy in the folders you gave it. Filters, Setup shows only Easy setup apps.
Staying on version 3.5.1
The stable release, for anyone who'd rather wait for version 4 to finish.
Every version 4 release so far is a beta, marked Pre-release on GitHub. There have been four, from October 31 to November 10. The release GitHub marks Latest is still 3.5.1, from October 15.
To stay on it, keep the Quiver Launcher 3 you have. It doesn't update itself to version 4. On a computer, version 4 installs beside it and leaves it alone, so you can try both. On Android, installing version 4 replaces version 3.
For a fresh copy, open the 3.5.1 release and pick your file under Assets. Its code is on the v3 branch, still under the MIT license.
Settings to change
All of these are in Settings, which lists its sections down the side. Turn usage data off first.
General
Send usage data
Off. Turn this off first. While it's on, Quiver sends which screens you open, which apps you install and play and for how long, the kinds of controllers you use, your system, and error reports. It says it never sends what you type, your files, paths or your computer's name. While you're signed in, it follows the setting on your Quiver account.
TV mode
For Every device but AndroidIn Steam's Game Mode. The full-screen look for a controller. The default turns it on only in a Steam Deck's Game Mode. Always turns it on everywhere, for a PC plugged into a TV. Off keeps the normal look, even on a Deck.
Show on Discord what I'm playing
For Every device but AndroidYour call. Shows the game you started from Quiver, with its picture and how long you've played, on your Discord profile. Turn it off to keep that to yourself.
Close to the system tray
For WindowsOn. Closing the window keeps Quiver running in the tray, so it keeps updating your apps. Start with Windows, just below it, starts Quiver in the tray when you sign in.
Apps folder
Put new apps in a folder for their console
For Every device but AndroidOn. New apps go into folders like Ports\N64, Ports\PS2, Emulators and Tools, so a big library stays tidy. A button sorts the apps you already have. It starts off.
Ask where to install each app
For Every device but AndroidOff. Every Install asks for a folder first. Leave it off and use Install to in an app's menu when one app needs to go somewhere else.
Windows apps
For Linux and Steam DeckProton. Linux and the Steam Deck run Windows apps through Proton when Steam has it, and through Wine when it doesn't. A Deck has Proton but no Wine. Here you can pick Wine or one Proton version for every Windows app, and an app's Launch options can still pick its own.
Game copies
Folders for each console
For Every device but AndroidOne per console. The folders Quiver looks in when a port needs your own copy, and it looks nowhere else. Choose a console, then Add folder. Every console is for one folder with games for many consoles in it.
What usage data sends
In the project's own words, from its README and its usage data page.
The README says "Quiver sends optional usage data, such as which screens are opened and which apps are installed, to help improve it." It also says "It doesn't send what you type, your files, paths or your computer's name."
The fourth beta added more. "This includes your OS version, how Quiver was installed, which apps and versions are on this computer (once a day), how long you played, and which kinds of controllers you use."
It goes to Google Analytics through quiverlauncher.com, which passes on your country instead of your IP address, and errors go to Sentry. The usage data page lists every event.
You can turn it off in three places. In the README's words, "You can turn usage data off on first start, in Settings, or through your Quiver account." In Settings it's the Send usage data switch under General.
If it breaks
Update Quiver first. Most of these come straight from the beta notes.
- 1
Update Quiver
Quiver updates itself, and on a beta it offers the next beta by itself. Settings, Updates has Check for updates. Many problems are fixed in the newest beta.
- 2
A download is refused
Quiver refuses a file that changed after it was recorded. That's the check doing its job. Try again later, or use the arrow beside the main button to pick another version. A version Quiver hasn't checked asks before it installs.
- 3
An update isn't offered yet
It's still inside its 48 hours. The port's catalog page says when it will be offered. The Mario Kart World port from my last guide showed this on November 14, with about 20 hours to go. You can update one app early from its page.
- 4
Easy setup says it's the wrong file For Every device but Android
It tells you why, such as an archive, a compressed image or a different version of the game. Easy setup needs the file the port expects, and the port's own README says which one that is.
- 5
Version 3 apps show as not installed For Every device but Android
Use Locate existing install from the app's menu or its page to show Quiver its folder. You can also bring your version 3 library over again from Settings.
- 6
Play can't find the app's program For Every device but Android
Choose its program lets you pick it yourself. On Windows, Quiver also finds .bat and .cmd programs now.
- 7
A Windows app won't start on Linux or a Deck For Linux and Steam Deck
Check Settings, Apps folder, Windows apps, or the app's own Launch options. A Deck needs Proton, since it has no Wine.
- 8
The Flatpak can't update itself For Linux and Steam Deck
If you installed it with Discover or another software center, run the command below once with the newest release's file. Quiver updates itself from then on.
flatpak install --user --bundle QuiverLauncher_4.0.0-beta.4_x86_64.flatpak - 9
Known limits
From the fourth beta's own list.
Easy setup
About 240 apps. More are added as their setups are filled in. For the rest, set up your copy as the port's README says.
Phones
No Easy setup yet. Your own copy isn't set up for you on Android or iOS yet.
Version 3 on Android
Library stays behind. Version 4 replaces version 3 on a phone. Your apps stay installed, but the version 3 library doesn't come over.
Ask an AI
Version 4 is newer than ChatGPT and Claude, so give them this page first.
Copy page brings the whole page with it. Or view it as Markdown.
Quiver Launcher 4 came out in October and November 2026, after ChatGPT and Claude were trained. Ask about it cold and they'll answer from version 3, which looked and worked differently. Copy page hands over this whole guide, so paste that first and ask it to stick to it.
Say which device you're on and which beta you have. The version is in Settings, Updates.
- It will stop or refuse if you ask how to get a game's files. This guide doesn't cover that, and neither does the project.
- If it names a setting that isn't in this guide, it may be from version 3 or made up. Ask where it came from.
- If it tells you to download Quiver or a port from some other site, don't. The project says official downloads come only from its Releases page.
Walk me through the install
Pairs this guide with the project's own download table, one step at a time.
Copy the prompt below, which brings this whole guide with it, and paste it into ChatGPT or Claude. Then paste the Download section of the project's README after it.
I want to set up Quiver Launcher 4 on my device. Below is a guide to it, and after that I'll paste the Download section of the README at github.com/tgeorgiadis/quiver-launcher. Walk me through it one step at a time, wait for me to finish each step, and use only what the guide and that section say. Skip anything about getting game files.
Questions
Is it free?
Yes. Quiver is free to download and use. There's a Patreon if you want to support it. The ports are free too, and most need your own copy of the game.
Is version 4 open source?
No, source-available. You can read all of its code, but its license, the Business Source License 1.1, isn't an open source license. Each version becomes MIT one year after it's first public. Version 3 and earlier are MIT.
Does it come with games?
No. Quiver's own catalog pages say "Quiver never hosts game files." It downloads each port from its developer's own release page, and the port needs your own copy of the game.
How many games are in it?
Over 1,300. Quiver's catalog site linked to 1,347 game pages when I counted them on November 15. That's my count of the links, not a number the project gives. Easy setup covers about 240 of the apps.
Is a checked download safe?
Not a promise. The check makes sure you get the file the developer published. The project says it can't promise that the file itself is safe.
Will my version 3 apps work?
Yes, on a computer. Version 4 adds them to your library and plays them from where they are. On Android the apps stay installed, but the library doesn't come over.
iPhone?
Not listed. The download table lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck and Android.
Do I need an account?
No. Signing in is optional. It keeps your library and playlists the same on every device and lets you review apps.
The new license
What changed between version 3 and version 4, in plain words.
Version 3 and earlier are under the MIT license, which is open source. The README says "Quiver Launcher 3 and earlier remain MIT licensed."
Version 4 is different. In the README's words, "Quiver Launcher 4 is source-available under the Business Source License 1.1." You can read, build, change and test the code, share it and send changes. You can use an official release, or a copy you build yourself, for your own use.
The rules are for the first year. During it, using Quiver for real is only allowed as the license's Additional Use Grant says. That covers official builds and builds you make yourself, used for yourself or inside your own organization, and not offered to other people as a product or service. Builds other people hand out don't get that permission.
Then it opens up. The README says "One year after each version is first publicly available, that version becomes MIT licensed." So each beta turns MIT a year after it came out.
The license file itself says the Business Source License "is not an Open Source license." That's why I don't call version 4 open source, even though Quiver's catalog site still describes the app that way.
The Quiver name, logo and icons are covered by a separate trademark policy, so a fork needs its own name and look. Quiver started as a fork of GithubLauncher by SirDiabo.