Quick Menu missing options when launching game via intent — core_info.cache not built properly

Is there an existing issue for this?

• This is a bug in RetroArch frontend
• I have searched the existing issues

Description

Bug: core_info.cache is built incorrectly when launching game via intent (without entering main menu)

RetroArch version: 1.20.0 and 1.21.0 (Android)

Platform: Android (tested on emulator and real devices)

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Steps to reproduce:

1. Launch RetroArch directly using an intent that specifies a core and a ROM file (bypassing the frontend GUI).
2. RetroArch boots the game correctly.
3. However, the generated core_info.cache is incomplete or missing proper info from the intended core.
4. This results in incomplete Quick Menu options, such as the "Save State" button being missing.

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Workaround:

Manually copying a valid core_info.cache file (generated during normal GUI usage) to the correct directory bypasses the issue and restores full functionality.

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Expected behavior:

RetroArch should load the correct .info file of the core when launched via intent and generate a valid core_info.cache file with full core metadata.

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Notes:

• This issue affects all tested versions.
• Might go unnoticed because most users use the frontend menu, not direct intents.

Expected behavior

No response

Steps to reproduce the bug

Bug: core_info.cache is built incorrectly when launching game via intent (without entering main menu)

RetroArch version: 1.20.0 and 1.21.0 (Android)

Platform: Android (tested on emulator and real devices)

---

Steps to reproduce:

1. Launch RetroArch directly using an intent that specifies a core and a ROM file (bypassing the frontend GUI).
2. RetroArch boots the game correctly.
3. However, the generated core_info.cache is incomplete or missing proper info from the intended core.
4. This results in incomplete Quick Menu options, such as the "Save State" button being missing.

---

Workaround:

Manually copying a valid core_info.cache file (generated during normal GUI usage) to the correct directory bypasses the issue and restores full functionality.

---

Expected behavior:

RetroArch should load the correct .info file of the core when launched via intent and generate a valid core_info.cache file with full core metadata.

---

Notes:

• This issue affects all tested versions.
• Might go unnoticed because most users use the frontend menu, not direct intents.

Version/Commit

1.21.0

Bisect Results

No response

Present in the nightly version

I don't know

Platform & operating system

Android 10

Affected Cores

No response

Environment information

No response

Relevant log output

Reproduce the Android launch both through a direct intent and through the frontend GUI, then compare the generated core_info.cache and the resulting Quick Menu options. Trace the intent launch path and the .info-file/cache generation; done means the intended core metadata is present and options such as Save State appear without manually copying a cache file.