If you have been searching for a GBA emulator on Android, you have probably noticed two versions on the Google Play Store: My Boy! and My Boy! Free. At first glance, they look almost identical. Same developer, same interface, same game library support. So what exactly is the difference, and which one should you download?
This guide breaks it all down so you can make the right choice before you install anything.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | My Boy! (Paid) | My Boy! Free |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$4.99 | Free |
| Ads | None | Yes |
| Link Cable Emulation | Full support | Not available |
| Fast Forward Speed | Unlimited | Capped at 1.5x |
| Cheat Code Support | Full (GameShark, CodeBreaker, Action Replay) | Limited |
| Save States | Unlimited slots | Limited |
| BIOS Support | Yes | Yes |
| Controller Support | Full | Full |
| Audio Quality | High fidelity | Reduced |
| Game compatibility | 100% GBA library | 100% GBA library |
The Core Differences Explained
1. Price
My Boy! Free costs nothing to download. My Boy! (the full version) is a one-time purchase, typically around $4.99 on the Google Play Store. There are no subscriptions or in-app purchases in either version — the paid version is a single, permanent unlock.
If you are just testing whether GBA emulation works on your phone, starting with the free version makes sense. But if you plan to play seriously, the paid version pays for itself quickly.
2. Advertisements
My Boy! Free displays ads while you play. This might sound minor, but ads interrupt the experience in a way that is genuinely disruptive during long gaming sessions. The paid version has zero ads, giving you a completely clean interface.
3. Link Cable Emulation
This is the biggest functional difference between the two versions.
My Boy! supports full link cable emulation, which allows two Android devices to connect over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and trade or battle as if they were using real Game Boy Advance link cables. This is essential for anyone who wants to play Pokémon and complete their Pokédex, trade with friends, or battle competitively.
My Boy! Free does not support link cable emulation at all. If Pokémon trading is important to you, you need the paid version. You can read more about how this works in our full guide on how Pokémon trading works in My Boy.
4. Fast Forward Speed
Both versions include a fast forward feature that lets you speed through slow sections of games, farming sequences, or dialogue.
In My Boy! Free, fast forward is capped at approximately 1.5x speed. In the full version, you can push fast forward to unlimited speed — some games can be run at 16x or faster on modern Android hardware, making grinding sessions dramatically shorter.
5. Cheat Code Support
My Boy! supports full cheat code systems including GameShark, CodeBreaker, and Action Replay codes. You can enter as many codes as you want and toggle them on or off per game.
My Boy! Free has limited or no cheat code support depending on your Android version. If you want to use cheats regularly, the paid version is essential. Our complete guide on how to set up cheats in My Boy walks through the full process.
6. Save States
Save states let you freeze a game at any point and reload from that exact moment, separate from the game’s own save system.
My Boy! Free restricts how many save state slots you can use. The paid version offers unlimited save state slots per game, which is important for games where you want multiple checkpoints. Learn how to use this feature effectively in our guide on how to save and load states in My Boy.
7. Audio Fidelity
My Boy! is well regarded for its high-quality audio emulation. The free version uses a downgraded audio engine that can introduce minor distortion or reduced quality on certain games. If sound accuracy matters to you — especially for music-heavy games like Pokémon or Castlevania — the paid version is noticeably better.
Which Version Should You Choose?
Choose My Boy! Free if:
- You are testing the emulator for the first time
- You play casually and solo
- Budget is a concern
- You do not need trading, unlimited speed, or cheats
Choose My Boy! (paid) if:
- You want to trade Pokémon between devices
- You use cheat codes regularly
- You want unlimited fast forward for grinding
- You want the cleanest possible experience with no ads
- You are a serious retro gaming fan
Honestly, for most people who are genuinely into GBA gaming, the one-time purchase is worth it. The link cable feature alone makes it essential for any Pokémon player, and the unlimited fast forward transforms the experience on grind-heavy RPGs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer saves from My Boy! Free to the paid version?
Yes. Save files use the same format. As long as you back up your .sav file before uninstalling the free version, you can copy it to the paid version’s save folder and pick up exactly where you left off. See our guide on how to transfer saves between Android devices for the full process.
Is My Boy! available on iOS?
No. My Boy! is an Android-only emulator. There is no official iOS version.
What is the difference between My Boy and My OldBoy?
My OldBoy is made by the same developer (Fast Emulator) and emulates the original Game Boy and Game Boy Color. My Boy is specifically for Game Boy Advance games.
Does My Boy! Free work on Android 14 and 15?
Yes, both versions are compatible with modern Android versions as of 2026. If you encounter any issues, check out our setup and installation guides for solutions.
Is My Boy! on the Play Store safe?
Yes. Download only from the official Google Play Store listing. Be cautious of APK sites offering the paid version for free — these often contain malware. Our downloads page covers safe installation practices.
