Terms of Service

Handheld (handheld.online) is operated by Web Relic LTD ("we", "us", "our"). By accessing or using Handheld you agree to be bound by these terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the service.

Handheld is a browser-based platform for playing retro and classic console games online. The core service is offered free of charge. An optional paid Supporter subscription is available and is described in the Supporter Subscription section below.

You may optionally create an account by signing in with Google. An account gives you access to cloud save sync and your personal dashboard. You are responsible for keeping your Google account secure. Handheld never sees or stores your Google password.

Handheld is a player — it does not distribute, host, or provide game ROMs. You are responsible for providing your own game files and for ensuring you have the legal right to use them in your jurisdiction.

You agree not to use Handheld to distribute copyrighted material, to attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems, to disrupt other users, or to interfere with the operation of the service.

Handheld does not claim ownership of any game ROMs, BIOS files, or other copyrighted material that you load into the emulator. All game content remains the property of its respective rights holders.

The Handheld brand, design, and website content are owned by Web Relic LTD. The emulation cores used are provided by the Libretro project under their respective licenses.

If you enable cloud sync, your save states and settings are stored on our servers. We take reasonable measures to protect your data, but we cannot guarantee that cloud data will never be lost.

We recommend keeping local backups of important save states. You can export saves at any time from the emulator or your dashboard.

The optional Supporter plan is a recurring monthly subscription billed in advance. Payments are processed by Stripe; we do not see or store your full card details. The price shown on the pricing page is the price you will be charged each month until you cancel.

The subscription renews automatically every month on the same calendar day until you cancel. You can cancel at any time from the billing portal linked in your Dashboard. After cancellation your Supporter benefits remain active until the end of the current paid period; you are not charged again.

We do not offer pro-rata refunds for unused time within a paid period. If you believe a charge was made in error (duplicate billing, fraud, or a service outage that prevented you from using the paid features), contact us within 30 days at hello@handheld.online and we will review the case in good faith.

We may change the price of the Supporter subscription. We will notify active subscribers by email at least 14 days before any price change takes effect. You can cancel before the new price applies if you do not wish to continue at the new rate.

Handheld is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis, without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee uninterrupted access or that the service will be free of errors. We may modify, suspend, or discontinue features at any time.

You may stop using Handheld at any time. You can delete your account and all associated cloud data from the Dashboard. Deleting your account also cancels any active Supporter subscription at the end of the current paid period.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms or that are used for illegal purposes. If we terminate a Supporter account for cause, no refund is due.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Handheld and its operator are not liable for any damages arising from your use of the service. This includes, but is not limited to, loss of data, loss of save states, lost time, or any issues caused by emulation inaccuracies.

You use Handheld entirely at your own risk.

These terms are governed by the laws of the country in which the operator is established. Any disputes will be resolved in the competent courts of that jurisdiction, except where mandatory consumer-protection law in your country of residence requires otherwise.

We may update these terms from time to time. Material changes will be announced on this page with an updated date and, where appropriate, by email. Continued use of Handheld after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

If you have questions about these terms, email us at hello@handheld.online. Postal correspondence can be sent care of Web Relic LTD — please email first so we can confirm the current correspondence address.