FAQ
The questions that come up most. If yours is not here, the troubleshooting guide goes deeper.
Where is the Android download?
Arsenal Companion has a dedicated download section. The Android APK is available there. It targets Android 8.0 or later and connects to Arsenal running on a Windows PC.
Can I see my Windows desktop from my phone?
Current Windows and Android builds have an optional remote desktop mode for paired phones on the local network. The PC asks before a session starts unless you enable unattended access. The Android client is not yet offered as a public download; check its package status before relying on this feature.
Why does OLED dimming stop when GameVisual is disabled?
OLED image-level dimming uses the ASUS colour pipeline. Arsenal skips dimming while GameVisual is disabled so it does not restore an unwanted profile. Normal Windows brightness is separate.
Is it safe?
It asks your ASUS laptop for modes ASUS already defined, using the interface ASUS already exposes. Selecting Turbo is the same Turbo Armoury Crate applies. The exceptions are undervolting and GPU clock offsets, which are genuinely capable of destabilising a system if pushed too far. Those are documented with warnings, and off by default.
Why is a control missing on my ASUS laptop?
Because your model does not expose it. Arsenal checks what the hardware supports at startup and hides what it cannot drive, on the view that a dead switch is worse than no switch. The About page names what it detected.
Does it send anything anywhere?
No Arsenal account is required. Network features include update checks, ASUS driver discovery, package downloads and colour-profile retrieval. Companion traffic travels directly between your phone and PC without an Arsenal cloud relay.
Does Ultimate GPU mode really need a reboot?
Yes. It throws a hardware multiplexer that re-wires the panel to the dedicated GPU, and the display path cannot change under a running driver. Eco and Standard switch live. If your machine has no MUX, the mode is not offered at all.
Does it work on the ROG Ally?
Yes, with handheld-specific controls: automatic TDP and a frame-rate limit, in Advanced. Power settings matter more on a handheld, because the whole budget is smaller.
Which Windows package is available?
The current download is the lightweight x64 executable. It requires the .NET 10 Desktop Runtime for Windows x64. The download page lists the measured file size and SHA-256. A self-contained package is not currently offered here.
Is it really free?
Yes. No paid tier, no subscription, and no telemetry funding it. Arsenal is community software while the remaining rough edges are worked out.
Can I control my PC over the internet?
The companion uses a direct private-network connection, with no Arsenal cloud account or relay. Start with both devices on the same home network. The Windows app must be running.
Where can I see battery health and capacity history?
Generate the Windows battery report on the Battery page. Arsenal reads health, capacity, cycle count, estimated runtime and weekly capacity history inside the app, with the full Windows report one click away.
Do I have to uninstall Armoury Crate?
No. Arsenal talks to the same firmware interfaces directly, so the vendor software can stay installed. What you should not do is run both at once: they write to the same places and will overwrite each other, which looks like settings reverting on their own. Advanced can stop the ASUS services without uninstalling anything.
Will it void my warranty?
Using documented firmware modes is not modification. That said, nobody here can make promises on behalf of ASUS, and undervolting and overclocking are your decision to make. Arsenal does not write to the BIOS or replace firmware.
Does it run in the background?
It sits in the notification area, which is the point: a charge limit and a fan curve are not much use if the app has to be open. It installs no service, registers no driver, and quitting it stops the app. Closing the window can leave it running in the tray. Its companion bridge also needs that process to remain running.
Why does a mode not seem to change anything?
Three usual reasons. Automation may be putting your profile back when the power source changes. The selected plan's relevant apply switch may be off, so nothing is written. Or Armoury Crate is running and setting it back. Troubleshooting works through all three.
Can I use it on a non-ASUS laptop?
No. Nearly everything goes through the ASUS ACPI WMI interface, which only exists on ASUS hardware. There is nothing for it to talk to on another manufacturer's machine.
Why does Windows warn me when I run it?
Arsenal.exe is not yet Authenticode-signed, so Windows may show a publisher or reputation warning on the first manual installation. The signed release feed and matching SHA-256 protect package integrity, but they do not replace Windows publisher verification.
How do I get my settings onto a new laptop?
Copy %AppData%\Arsenal\config.json across. Anything the new machine does not support is ignored rather than applied.