Android version refuses to open after the first time in Samsung DeX

Is there an existing issue for this?

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

Description

RetroArch on a Samsung Galaxy s20 FE 5G UW, happens in version 1.9.12 and 1.22.1 (and presumably all in between), both of which are the aarch64 version; phone is on latest software version.
When using Samsung DeX, it is possible to run RetroArch and it functions just fine, like you would expect. Even borderless fullscreen works. The issue is that when the app is closed via Alt+F4, it stays in a sort of "half-closed" state where the window is terminated but the process is still present on the taskbar. Attempting to open the app again while in this state just shows a blank window with the RetroArch app icon on it. The only way to fix this is to remove RetroArch from the task switcher, then right-click its taskbar icon and select Close app.

Expected behavior

I should be able to open and close RetroArch whenever and however I want without needing to worry if the app has decided not to close correctly.

Steps to reproduce the bug

1. Power on Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G UW
2. Connect to an external display via a USB-C to HDMI dock; Samsung DeX will open
3. Within DeX, open RetroArch. Its window will open
4. Press Alt-F4 to close the window
5. Note that the RetroArch icon is still on the taskbar, as if the app was not closed
6. Try to open RetroArch one more time
7. App does not load; shows blank window

Version/Commit

1.22.1

Bisect Results

No response

Present in the nightly version

I don't know

Platform & operating system

Android 13/One UI 5.1

Affected Cores

No response

Environment information

Baseband: G781VSQSLHYI1
Build number: TP1A.220624.014.G781VSQSLHYI1
SE for Android: Enforcing
Knox version: 3.9 (API level 36)
Security patch level: 10/1/2025

Relevant log output

(No log file is generated)

No source file, test, or entry point is named. Start by reproducing the Alt+F4 sequence in Samsung DeX on the stated Android setup and investigate the app lifecycle despite the report's note that no log is generated. Done means RetroArch can be closed and reopened repeatedly without leaving a blank window or requiring task-switcher cleanup.