diff --git a/docs/launcher.md b/docs/launcher.md
index aa087e48..24f79d0d 100644
--- a/docs/launcher.md
+++ b/docs/launcher.md
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ save directory as:
 | nil / `"rom"` | `picked_rom.gb` (open) |
 | `"mod"` | `picked_mod.zip` (open) |
 | `"sav"` / `"save"` | `picked_save.sav` (open) |
+| `"required_import"` | `picked_required_import.bin` (open) |
 
 Export uses a separate API: `love.system.createFile(suggestedName)` →
 `GameActivity.showCreateDocument` (`ACTION_CREATE_DOCUMENT`), which copies
diff --git a/docs/modding.md b/docs/modding.md
index 48074cbd..b369f504 100644
--- a/docs/modding.md
+++ b/docs/modding.md
@@ -148,6 +148,18 @@ older iOS-only `"stadium"` picker kind remains temporarily for compatibility.
 Android now returns `false` for unknown picker kinds instead of treating them
 as game-ROM picks.
 
+### Platform import flow
+
+The same per-mod validation and private `mods/<mod-id>/baseroms/` destination
+applies on every supported platform. Windows, macOS, and Linux use the
+launcher file chooser. Android uses the Storage Access Framework, and iOS uses
+the Files document picker; both stage the choice as `picked_required_import.bin`
+before validation. Xbox/UWP uses its native picker and hands the launcher a
+temporary path. Switch/NX has no host picker, so the player copies a file to
+`imports/baseroms/` over MTP and chooses the import again. No platform grants
+the mod a host filesystem path or bypasses the manifest's size, format, and MD5
+checks.
+
 ## Mods and Gold (Gen 2)
 
 The mod API is one API across both generations, but Gold runs its own battle
diff --git a/docs/updater.md b/docs/updater.md
index f117c898..7815874a 100644
--- a/docs/updater.md
+++ b/docs/updater.md
@@ -126,11 +126,19 @@ bundled game, in that case.
   already driving the frame. A payload that must change `love.run` itself
   needs a `minShell` bump so an older shell refuses to chainload it rather
   than running with half its intended behavior.
-- **Android has no in-app download transport yet.** `check_worker.lua`
-  shells out to curl for both the release check and the download; curl is
-  absent on Android, so `Check` degrades to `status = "error"` there (the
-  launcher UI hides on that status) and the player is directed to the
-  releases page via `Check.releaseUrl()` instead.
+- **Android and iOS use the native download bridge, not curl.** Neither
+  platform ships curl, so the old `check_worker.lua` path (shell out to curl)
+  always landed on `error` and the launcher chip's "Check for updates" tap
+  was a no-op. The worker now talks through `HostShell`, the same transport
+  as the mod catalog: curl on desktop, `love.system.httpDownload` on mobile.
+  On Android that is the GameActivity JNI/`HttpsURLConnection` bridge; on
+  iOS it is `GRPickerBridge.httpDownload` (`URLSession`). A fused sideloaded
+  APK or IPA can therefore check GitHub and fetch the `.love` payload
+  in-app. If neither transport exists, the worker reports `needs_full` and
+  the launcher chip opens `Check.releaseUrl()`. Native package-only changes
+  still need a full reinstall (`minShell` / `payloadHost` gate →
+  `needs_full`). Applying a downloaded payload on Android relaunches via
+  `love.system.restartApp`; iOS still uses in-process `quit("restart")`.
 - **Dev/source runs never self-update.** `Boot.run` returns immediately when
   `love.filesystem.isFused()` is false, and a working tree's `engine` is the
   `"0.0.0-dev"` placeholder that always reports up to date, so a source
diff --git a/main.lua b/main.lua
index 29f1e803..23b2385a 100644
--- a/main.lua
+++ b/main.lua
@@ -148,9 +148,44 @@ local function openEditor(version, slotId)
   editorMode = true
   resizeForEditor()
   addEditorRequirePath()
-  EditorApp = require("App")
-  EditorApp.load(path, { version = version, slotId = slotId, embedded = true,
-                         onClose = function() closeEditor() end })
+  local okReq, appOrErr = pcall(require, "App")
+  if not okReq then
+    editorMode = false
+    if version then
+      require("src.import.CacheFs").unmountVersion(version)
+    end
+    restoreWindow()
+    Importer = editorHost
+    editorHost = nil
+    editorVersion = nil
+    if Importer and Importer.resumeAfterOverlay then
+      Importer:resumeAfterOverlay()
+    end
+    refuse("Could not open the save editor (" .. tostring(appOrErr) .. ").")
+    return
+  end
+  EditorApp = appOrErr
+  local okLoad, loadErr = pcall(EditorApp.load, path, {
+    version = version, slotId = slotId, embedded = true,
+    onClose = function() closeEditor() end,
+  })
+  if not okLoad then
+    editorMode = false
+    if EditorApp.unload then pcall(EditorApp.unload) end
+    EditorApp = nil
+    if version then
+      require("src.import.CacheFs").unmountVersion(version)
+      require("src.core.Data"):unloadGenerated()
+    end
+    restoreWindow()
+    Importer = editorHost
+    editorHost = nil
+    editorVersion = nil
+    if Importer and Importer.resumeAfterOverlay then
+      Importer:resumeAfterOverlay()
+    end
+    refuse("Could not open the save editor (" .. tostring(loadErr) .. ").")
+  end
 end
 
 -- Back to the launcher.  Everything the editor mounted or cached has to come
@@ -166,6 +201,11 @@ function closeEditor()
     require("src.import.CacheFs").unmountVersion(version)
     require("src.core.Data"):unloadGenerated()
   end
+  for k in pairs(package.loaded) do
+    if type(k) == "string" and (k:find("save%-editor") or k == "App" or k == "Kit" or k == "State" or k == "Catalog" or k == "SaveIO" or k == "Ops" or k == "MonOps" or k == "ItemOps" or k == "PadInput" or k == "Gen" or k == "Theme") then
+      package.loaded[k] = nil
+    end
+  end
   editorVersion = nil
   restoreWindow()
   Importer = editorHost
@@ -263,6 +303,11 @@ function love.load(args)
   -- of each flashing their own cmd.exe window (#606).  No-op elsewhere.
   require("src.core.HostShell").hideHostConsole()
 
+  -- Hang gen1tls on love.system before mods boot.  Android already has tls*
+  -- from JNI; this is the desktop half.  No DLL / no FFI is fine -- ws://
+  -- rooms still work, wss:// just won't.
+  pcall(function() require("src.net.Gen1Tls").install() end)
+
   -- NX fused mounts are unreliable for the blue|yellow cache overlay: wrap
   -- the love loaders once so every generated-asset read falls back to the
   -- versioned save-dir copy.  Never installed on desktop/Android/iOS.
diff --git a/mobile/android/love/src/main/java/org/love2d/android/GameActivity.java b/mobile/android/love/src/main/java/org/love2d/android/GameActivity.java
index dbd409e8..7a30850c 100644
--- a/mobile/android/love/src/main/java/org/love2d/android/GameActivity.java
+++ b/mobile/android/love/src/main/java/org/love2d/android/GameActivity.java
@@ -90,6 +90,9 @@ public class GameActivity extends SDLActivity {
     private static final String PICKED_ROM_FILENAME = "picked_rom.gb";
     private static final String PICKED_MOD_FILENAME = "picked_mod.zip";
     private static final String PICKED_SAVE_FILENAME = "picked_save.sav";
+    // Kept separate from the game-ROM destination so a dependency pick can
+    // never be mistaken for a game import when the picker returns on Android.
+    private static final String PICKED_REQUIRED_IMPORT_FILENAME = "picked_required_import.bin";
     private static final String PENDING_EXPORT_FILENAME = "pending_export.sav";
     private static final String EXPORT_DONE_FILENAME = "export_done.flag";
     // Written when a SAF pick cannot be read at all, with the destination
@@ -504,7 +507,8 @@ public class GameActivity extends SDLActivity {
      * picker-agnostic and unchanged.
      *
      * @param destFilename basename under the app save identity (e.g.
-     *                     picked_rom.gb, picked_mod.zip, picked_save.sav)
+     *                     picked_rom.gb, picked_mod.zip, picked_save.sav, or
+     *                     picked_required_import.bin)
      */
     /** Legacy single-argument entry; resolves the save dir itself. */
     @Keep
@@ -535,6 +539,11 @@ public class GameActivity extends SDLActivity {
             Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT);
             intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
             intent.setType("*/*");
+            // The Storage Access Framework grants the returned content URI
+            // directly to this activity. Request the read grant explicitly as
+            // well: Android 13's scoped storage deliberately does not expose
+            // arbitrary paths or require broad media/storage permissions.
+            intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION);
             try {
                 self.startActivityForResult(intent, FILE_PICKER_REQUEST_CODE);
                 return true;
@@ -547,6 +556,7 @@ public class GameActivity extends SDLActivity {
         Intent intent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_GET_CONTENT);
         intent.addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE);
         intent.setType("*/*");
+        intent.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION);
         try {
             self.startActivityForResult(
                 Intent.createChooser(intent, "Choose a file"),
@@ -576,6 +586,12 @@ public class GameActivity extends SDLActivity {
         return showFilePicker(PICKED_SAVE_FILENAME);
     }
 
+    /** Required-mod-file wrapper used by love.system.pickFile("required_import"). */
+    @Keep
+    public static boolean showRequiredImportFilePicker() {
+        return showFilePicker(PICKED_REQUIRED_IMPORT_FILENAME);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Relaunches the whole app for love.system.restartApp, used by
      * src/core/HostShell.lua when a mod toggle needs a cold boot (#575).
diff --git a/src/core/Data.lua b/src/core/Data.lua
index 405fe107..31d7932a 100644
--- a/src/core/Data.lua
+++ b/src/core/Data.lua
@@ -14,6 +14,14 @@ local MODULES = {
 -- Optional for compatibility with developer and stale caches.
 local OPTIONAL = { "audio", "palettes", "icons" }
 
+-- Gold's extractor never writes these Gen 1 tables (RomExtractorGen2 has
+-- maps/text/pokemon/items, not text_pointers / trainer_headers / field).
+-- Desktop can still `require` Red's copies from the source tree, so Gold
+-- Edit appeared to work there; an Android APK has only the per-version
+-- cache, so Data:load used to throw on the first Gold Edit and take the
+-- activity down.  Empty tables are enough for seedDefaults / the editor.
+local GEN2_OPTIONAL = { text_pointers = true, trainer_headers = true, field = true }
+
 -- Vanilla defaults for rules exposed through the constants registry.  A
 -- value has to exist before a mod can patch it; each one matches the
 -- engine's no-mod behavior, so seeding them changes nothing on a vanilla
@@ -99,7 +107,11 @@ end
 -- Fills only what the cache is missing, so an importer that learns to
 -- stamp one of these keys silently takes over from the engine.
 function Data:seedDefaults()
-  local constants = self.constants
+  local constants = self.constants or {}
+  self.constants = constants
+  self.field = self.field or {}
+  self.maps = self.maps or {}
+  self.pokemon = self.pokemon or {}
   for key, value in pairs(CONSTANT_DEFAULTS) do
     if constants[key] == nil then constants[key] = copy(value) end
   end
@@ -108,7 +120,11 @@ function Data:seedDefaults()
   if constants.dexSize == nil then
     local highest = 0
     for _, def in pairs(self.pokemon) do
-      if def.dex and def.dex > highest then highest = def.dex end
+      -- Gold's pokemon.lua also carries growthRates / tmhmMoves / generation
+      -- scalars beside species rows.
+      if type(def) == "table" and def.dex and def.dex > highest then
+        highest = def.dex
+      end
     end
     constants.dexSize = highest
   end
@@ -212,36 +228,41 @@ local function loadModule(dir, name)
     if not chunk then return false, err end
     return pcall(chunk)
   end
-  local ok, mod = pcall(require, "data.generated." .. name)
-  if ok then return true, mod end
-  -- Fused PhysFS / Blue|Yellow prefix: load bytes from the active version's
-  -- cache explicitly when require cannot see the mounted tree.
   local CacheFs = require("src.import.CacheFs")
   local GameVersion = require("src.core.GameVersion")
   local path = "data/generated/" .. name .. ".lua"
   local bytes = CacheFs.readActive(path)
   if type(bytes) == "string" then
-    local chunk, err = loadstring(bytes, "@" .. GameVersion.cachePrefix() .. path)
-    if not chunk then return false, err or mod end
-    return pcall(chunk)
+    local chunk = loadstring(bytes, "@" .. GameVersion.cachePrefix() .. path)
+    if chunk then
+      local ok, res = pcall(chunk)
+      if ok then return true, res end
+    end
   end
-  return false, mod
+  local ok, mod = pcall(require, "data.generated." .. name)
+  if ok then return true, mod end
+  return false, nil
 end
 
 function Data:load()
   local dir = os.getenv("POKEPORT_DATA_DIR")
+  local gen2 = require("src.core.GameVersion").generation() == 2
   for _, name in ipairs(MODULES) do
     local ok, mod = loadModule(dir, name)
     if not ok then
-      if dir then
+      if gen2 and GEN2_OPTIONAL[name] then
+        self[name] = {}
+      elseif dir then
         error(("missing data module '%s/%s.lua' (POKEPORT_DATA_DIR).\n(%s)")
               :format(dir, name, mod))
+      else
+        error(("missing generated data module 'data/generated/%s.lua'.\n" ..
+               "Import the ROM again or rebuild developer data.\n(%s)")
+              :format(name, mod))
       end
-      error(("missing generated data module 'data/generated/%s.lua'.\n" ..
-             "Import the ROM again or rebuild developer data.\n(%s)")
-            :format(name, mod))
+    else
+      self[name] = mod
     end
-    self[name] = mod
   end
   for _, name in ipairs(OPTIONAL) do
     local ok, mod = loadModule(dir, name)
@@ -280,11 +301,14 @@ function Data:unloadGenerated()
       if not pristine[key] then self[key] = nil end
     end
   end
+  self._pristineKeys = nil
   for _, name in ipairs(MODULES) do
     package.loaded["data.generated." .. name] = nil
+    self[name] = nil
   end
   for _, name in ipairs(OPTIONAL) do
     package.loaded["data.generated." .. name] = nil
+    self[name] = nil
   end
 end
 
diff --git a/src/mods/LegacyCompat.lua b/src/mods/LegacyCompat.lua
index 0f8a1cf2..05f5a3b6 100644
--- a/src/mods/LegacyCompat.lua
+++ b/src/mods/LegacyCompat.lua
@@ -662,7 +662,13 @@ end
 
 local function systemShim(ctx)
   local function real() return _G.love and _G.love.system or nil end
-  return {
+  -- tls* comes from the engine (Android JNI, or desktop gen1tls hung on
+  -- love.system at boot).  Forward those; keep clipboard / openURL stubbed.
+  local TLS = {
+    tlsOpen = true, tlsStatus = true, tlsSend = true,
+    tlsReceive = true, tlsError = true, tlsClose = true,
+  }
+  local shim = {
     getOS = function()
       local sys = real()
       return sys and sys.getOS and sys.getOS() or "Unknown"
@@ -697,6 +703,13 @@ local function systemShim(ctx)
       return false
     end,
   }
+  return setmetatable(shim, {
+    __index = function(_, key)
+      if not TLS[key] then return nil end
+      local sys = real()
+      return sys and sys[key]
+    end,
+  })
 end
 
 local function eventShim(ctx)
diff --git a/src/net/Gen1Tls.lua b/src/net/Gen1Tls.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b0d7b7bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/net/Gen1Tls.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+-- Load gen1tls from next to the exe and put its poll API on love.system --
+-- same tlsOpen / tlsSend / ... shape Android already exposes through JNI.
+--
+-- Mods can't require("ffi") under the sandbox, so they can't load the DLL
+-- themselves even when it's sitting right there.  We do it here, before any
+-- mod runs.  LegacyCompat's love.system shim forwards the tls* keys through
+-- (clipboard / openURL stay stubbed).
+--
+-- true = tlsOpen is ready.  Already present (Android), no FFI, or no DLL:
+-- just return false and move on; plain ws:// rooms don't care.
+
+local Gen1Tls = {}
+
+local function exeDir()
+  if love and love.filesystem and love.filesystem.getSourceBaseDirectory then
+    local base = love.filesystem.getSourceBaseDirectory()
+    if type(base) == "string" and base ~= "" then return base end
+  end
+  if type(arg) == "table" and type(arg[0]) == "string" then
+    local dir = arg[0]:match("^(.*)[/\\]")
+    if dir and dir ~= "" then return dir end
+  end
+  return "."
+end
+
+local function fileReadable(path)
+  local f = io.open(path, "rb")
+  if not f then return false end
+  f:close()
+  return true
+end
+
+local function libNames()
+  local osName = (love and love.system and love.system.getOS and love.system.getOS()) or ""
+  if osName == "Windows" then return { "gen1tls.dll" } end
+  if osName == "OS X" then return { "libgen1tls.dylib", "gen1tls.dylib" } end
+  if osName == "Linux" then return { "libgen1tls.so", "gen1tls.so" } end
+  return { "gen1tls.dll", "libgen1tls.so", "libgen1tls.dylib" }
+end
+
+function Gen1Tls.install()
+  if not (love and love.system) then return false end
+  if type(love.system.tlsOpen) == "function" then return true end
+
+  local okFfi, ffi = pcall(require, "ffi")
+  if not okFfi or type(ffi) ~= "table" then return false end
+
+  ffi.cdef[[
+    int gen1tls_open(const char *host, int port);
+    int gen1tls_status(int handle);
+    int gen1tls_send(int handle, const char *data, int length);
+    int gen1tls_receive(int handle, char *buf, int max);
+    int gen1tls_error(int handle, char *buf, int max);
+    void gen1tls_close(int handle);
+  ]]
+
+  local dir = exeDir()
+  local lib
+  for _, name in ipairs(libNames()) do
+    local path = dir .. "/" .. name
+    if fileReadable(path) then
+      local ok, loaded = pcall(ffi.load, path)
+      if ok then lib = loaded; break end
+    end
+    local ok, loaded = pcall(ffi.load, name)
+    if ok then lib = loaded; break end
+  end
+  if not lib then return false end
+
+  local errBuf = ffi.new("char[512]")
+  local recvBuf = ffi.new("char[65536]")
+
+  love.system.tlsOpen = function(host, port)
+    return lib.gen1tls_open(host, tonumber(port) or 0)
+  end
+  love.system.tlsStatus = function(handle)
+    return lib.gen1tls_status(handle)
+  end
+  love.system.tlsSend = function(handle, data)
+    data = data or ""
+    return lib.gen1tls_send(handle, data, #data)
+  end
+  love.system.tlsReceive = function(handle, max)
+    max = math.min(tonumber(max) or 8192, 65536)
+    if max <= 0 then return "" end
+    local n = lib.gen1tls_receive(handle, recvBuf, max)
+    if n <= 0 then return "" end
+    return ffi.string(recvBuf, n)
+  end
+  love.system.tlsError = function(handle)
+    if lib.gen1tls_error(handle, errBuf, 512) == 0 then return nil end
+    return ffi.string(errBuf)
+  end
+  love.system.tlsClose = function(handle)
+    lib.gen1tls_close(handle)
+  end
+  return true
+end
+
+return Gen1Tls
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/update/Check.lua b/src/update/Check.lua
index 728789aa..8e655733 100644
--- a/src/update/Check.lua
+++ b/src/update/Check.lua
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@
 --   "update_check_state" worker -> main: { status, latest, progress, error }
 --
 -- Nothing here ever blocks or throws into the game loop: when love.thread is
--- absent (the headless test stub) or the worker cannot run (no curl, Android),
--- state() simply reports "error" and the UI hides itself.  See the shared
--- contract in the task brief for the status vocabulary and the file layout.
+-- absent (the headless test stub) or the worker cannot run, state() reports
+-- "error" (or the worker reports "needs_full" when there is no transport).
+-- See the shared contract in the task brief for the status vocabulary.
 --
 -- The release-JSON extraction and the sums parsing are exported as pure
 -- functions (no love.* calls) so plain-Lua tests can cover them, and so the
diff --git a/src/update/check_worker.lua b/src/update/check_worker.lua
index d60a349b..7d592ec6 100644
--- a/src/update/check_worker.lua
+++ b/src/update/check_worker.lua
@@ -5,11 +5,10 @@
 --   "update_check_cmd"   in:  { cmd = "check" | "download" | "quit" }
 --   "update_check_state" out: { status, latest, progress, error }
 --
--- Transport is curl shelled out via io.popen (curl ships on macOS, Windows 10+
--- and desktop Linux).  Everything is wrapped so a missing curl, an HTTP error,
--- or a hung download degrades to a "error"/"needs_full" state rather than
--- blocking or crashing the game.  On Android curl is absent and the check
--- soft-fails to "error", which the UI hides.
+-- Transport is HostShell: curl via io.popen on desktop, the JNI
+-- love.system.httpDownload bridge on Android (same path the mod catalog
+-- already uses).  A missing transport, an HTTP error, or a hung download
+-- degrades to "error"/"needs_full" rather than blocking or crashing the game.
 --
 -- Fresh love threads do not carry the "src.*" package searcher, so sibling
 -- modules are pulled in with love.filesystem.load exactly like
@@ -63,9 +62,12 @@ local API_URL = "https://api.github.com/repos/bryanthaboi/gen1recomp/releases/la
 local pending = nil
 
 -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
--- shell / curl
+-- shell / fetch
 -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+local UA = "gen1recomp-updater"
+local GH_ACCEPT = "application/vnd.github+json"
+
 local function shq(s)
   s = tostring(s)
   if isWindows then
@@ -74,31 +76,17 @@ local function shq(s)
   return "'" .. s:gsub("'", "'\\''") .. "'"
 end
 
--- run curl and return its response body (text), or nil on any failure.  Used
--- for the small text resources (release JSON, sums file); -f makes curl exit
--- non-zero and emit nothing on an HTTP error, so an empty read is a failure.
-local function curlCapture(url)
-  local cmd = "curl -fsSL --connect-timeout 10 --max-time 40 "
-    .. "-H " .. shq("User-Agent: gen1recomp-updater") .. " "
-    .. "-H " .. shq("Accept: application/vnd.github+json") .. " "
-    .. shq(url)
-  local pipe = HostShell.popen(cmd)
-  if not pipe then return nil end
-  local out = pipe:read("*a")
-  -- HostShell.pclose, not pipe:close(): a close outside the spawn lock can
-  -- free a FILE while another thread's popen walks the stream list, which
-  -- deadlocks that thread permanently (see HostShell's popen notes).
-  HostShell.pclose(pipe)
-  if not out or out == "" then return nil end
-  return out
+-- Small text resources (release JSON, sums file) through HostShell so Android
+-- hits the JNI bridge instead of a curl binary that is never on the device.
+local function fetchText(url, accept)
+  if not HostShell then return nil end
+  local body = HostShell.httpGet(url, UA, accept)
+  if type(body) ~= "string" or body == "" then return nil end
+  return body
 end
 
-local function haveCurl()
-  local pipe = HostShell.popen("curl --version")
-  if not pipe then return false end
-  local out = pipe:read("*a")
-  HostShell.pclose(pipe)
-  return out ~= nil and out:find("curl", 1, true) ~= nil
+local function canFetch()
+  return HostShell and HostShell.canFetch()
 end
 
 -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -170,12 +158,14 @@ end
 local function doCheck()
   post({ status = "checking" })
 
-  if not haveCurl() then
-    post({ status = "error", error = "curl not available" })
+  if not canFetch() then
+    -- No curl and no JNI bridge: the chip becomes "Open releases" so a tap
+    -- still does something instead of retrying a check that cannot succeed.
+    post({ status = "needs_full" })
     return
   end
 
-  local body = curlCapture(API_URL)
+  local body = fetchText(API_URL, GH_ACCEPT)
   if not body then
     post({ status = "error", error = "release check failed" })
     return
@@ -212,7 +202,7 @@ local function doCheck()
   -- pulling the bytes again.
   local finalRel = "updates/" .. rel.payloadName
   if love.filesystem.getInfo(finalRel) then
-    local sums = curlCapture(rel.sums.url)
+    local sums = fetchText(rel.sums.url)
     if sums and verifyPayload(finalRel, rel.payloadName, sums) then
       if gatePasses(finalRel) == false then
         love.filesystem.remove(finalRel)
@@ -279,39 +269,52 @@ local function doDownload()
   local doneAbs = saveDir .. "/updates/" .. rel.payloadName .. ".done"
   local size    = rel.payload.size or 0
 
-  launchDownload(rel.payload.url, partAbs, doneAbs)
+  if HostShell and HostShell.haveCurl() then
+    launchDownload(rel.payload.url, partAbs, doneAbs)
 
-  -- poll the .part size for progress until curl drops the done-marker; a
-  -- stalled or run-away transfer breaks out and lets verification fail cleanly
-  local waited, lastSize, lastChange = 0, -1, 0
-  while true do
-    -- A queued quit means the window already closed.  Bail so the join in
-    -- Check.shutdown does not hold the dead window's process (and, on
-    -- Windows, its folder) open for up to the whole transfer (#727).  The
-    -- quit stays on the channel for the command loop; the detached curl
-    -- times out on its own and the next launch's doCheck verifies and
-    -- re-offers whatever landed.
-    local peeked = cmdCh:peek()
-    if type(peeked) == "table" and peeked.cmd == "quit" then return end
-    if love.filesystem.getInfo(doneRel) then break end
-    local pinfo = love.filesystem.getInfo(partRel)
-    local cur = (pinfo and pinfo.size) or 0
-    if size > 0 then
-      local p = cur / size
-      if p > 0.999 then p = 0.999 end -- 1.0 is reserved for "ready"
-      post({ status = "downloading", latest = rel.version, progress = p })
-    else
-      post({ status = "downloading", latest = rel.version })
+    -- poll the .part size for progress until curl drops the done-marker; a
+    -- stalled or run-away transfer breaks out and lets verification fail cleanly
+    local waited, lastSize, lastChange = 0, -1, 0
+    while true do
+      -- A queued quit means the window already closed.  Bail so the join in
+      -- Check.shutdown does not hold the dead window's process (and, on
+      -- Windows, its folder) open for up to the whole transfer (#727).  The
+      -- quit stays on the channel for the command loop; the detached curl
+      -- times out on its own and the next launch's doCheck verifies and
+      -- re-offers whatever landed.
+      local peeked = cmdCh:peek()
+      if type(peeked) == "table" and peeked.cmd == "quit" then return end
+      if love.filesystem.getInfo(doneRel) then break end
+      local pinfo = love.filesystem.getInfo(partRel)
+      local cur = (pinfo and pinfo.size) or 0
+      if size > 0 then
+        local p = cur / size
+        if p > 0.999 then p = 0.999 end -- 1.0 is reserved for "ready"
+        post({ status = "downloading", latest = rel.version, progress = p })
+      else
+        post({ status = "downloading", latest = rel.version })
+      end
+      if cur ~= lastSize then lastSize, lastChange = cur, waited end
+      if waited - lastChange > 60 then break end -- 60s with no growth: give up
+      if waited > 960 then break end             -- absolute ceiling
+      love.timer.sleep(0.25)
+      waited = waited + 0.25
     end
-    if cur ~= lastSize then lastSize, lastChange = cur, waited end
-    if waited - lastChange > 60 then break end -- 60s with no growth: give up
-    if waited > 960 then break end             -- absolute ceiling
-    love.timer.sleep(0.25)
-    waited = waited + 0.25
+    love.filesystem.remove(doneRel)
+  else
+    -- Android JNI bridge: blocking write, same as fetch_worker.  Progress
+    -- cannot be sampled from inside httpDownload.
+    local ok = HostShell and HostShell.httpDownload(
+      rel.payload.url, partAbs, UA, nil, 900)
+    if not ok then
+      love.filesystem.remove(partRel)
+      post({ status = "error", error = "download failed" })
+      return
+    end
+    post({ status = "downloading", latest = rel.version, progress = 0.999 })
   end
-  love.filesystem.remove(doneRel)
 
-  local sums = curlCapture(rel.sums and rel.sums.url or "")
+  local sums = fetchText(rel.sums and rel.sums.url or "")
   if not sums then
     love.filesystem.remove(partRel)
     post({ status = "error", error = "checksum fetch failed" })
diff --git a/tests/engine/android_host_extension_test.lua b/tests/engine/android_host_extension_test.lua
index 14d7ae5a..13d25a5e 100644
--- a/tests/engine/android_host_extension_test.lua
+++ b/tests/engine/android_host_extension_test.lua
@@ -55,4 +55,24 @@ check(not source:find("QuestActivity", 1, true) and
       not source:find("QuestBridge", 1, true),
   "generic Android activity must not require Quest classes")
 
+-- Required mod files use Android's Storage Access Framework, which works with
+-- Android 13 scoped storage without broad media/storage permissions. Keep the
+-- native destination distinct so it cannot be consumed as a game ROM.
+check(source:find('PICKED_REQUIRED_IMPORT_FILENAME = "picked_required_import.bin"',
+  1, true), "required imports use their own Android picker destination")
+check(source:find("showRequiredImportFilePicker", 1, true),
+  "Android exposes a required-import picker entry point")
+check(source:find("Intent.ACTION_OPEN_DOCUMENT", 1, true)
+    and source:find("Intent.FLAG_GRANT_READ_URI_PERMISSION", 1, true),
+  "Android 13 uses SAF with an explicit read grant")
+
+local systemPath = "mobile/android/love/src/jni/love/src/modules/system/System.cpp"
+local systemFile = assert(io.open(systemPath, "rb"))
+local system = systemFile:read("*a")
+systemFile:close()
+check(system:find('strcmp(kind, "required_import")', 1, true)
+    and system:find('dest = "picked_required_import.bin"', 1, true)
+    and system:find('return "rom,mod,sav,required_import"', 1, true),
+  "native Android bridge advertises and routes required imports")
+
 print("android_host_extension_test: ok")
diff --git a/tests/engine/ios_required_import_picker_test.lua b/tests/engine/ios_required_import_picker_test.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..56a13b1c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/engine/ios_required_import_picker_test.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+-- iOS required imports travel through the same document-picker contract as
+-- Android. Keep the Swift bridge and liblove patch aligned: a build that has
+-- only one side would show the import button but fail on device.
+local function read(path)
+  local file = assert(io.open(path, "rb"))
+  local data = file:read("*a")
+  file:close()
+  return data
+end
+
+local function check(value, message)
+  if not value then error(message, 2) end
+end
+
+local bridge = read("mobile/ios/native/GRPickerBridge.swift")
+check(bridge:find('case "required_import":', 1, true)
+    and bridge:find('destName = "picked_required_import.bin"', 1, true),
+  "iOS routes required imports to their own staged filename")
+check(bridge:find("types.append(.data)", 1, true)
+    and bridge:find("types.append(.item)", 1, true),
+  "iOS required imports accept user-owned binary ROM files")
+check(bridge:find('"rom,mod,sav,stadium,required_import"', 1, true),
+  "iOS advertises required_import to Lua before opening the picker")
+
+local patch = read("mobile/ios/patch_love_src.py")
+check(patch:find("int w_pickFileKinds", 1, true)
+    and patch:find('{ "pickFileKinds", w_pickFileKinds }', 1, true),
+  "iOS liblove patch exposes the picker capability query")
+check(patch:find('("GRPickerBridge.swift", ID_FILE_PICKER', 1, true),
+  "iOS build patch compiles the required-import picker bridge")
+
+print("ios_required_import_picker_test: ok")
diff --git a/tests/engine/uwp_native_picker_test.lua b/tests/engine/uwp_native_picker_test.lua
index ab5c34d2..69fefef6 100644
--- a/tests/engine/uwp_native_picker_test.lua
+++ b/tests/engine/uwp_native_picker_test.lua
@@ -44,6 +44,46 @@ check(importer.installedPath == [[C:\LocalState\picked_mod.zip]],
 check(removedPath == [[C:\LocalState\picked_mod.zip]],
   "removes the temporary copy after installation")
 
+-- The UWP picker returns a temporary path rather than a mobile staged name.
+-- Required imports must use that same picker and remain scoped to the selected
+-- mod instead of relying on a desktop shell or Android/iOS inbox handling.
+local pickedKind
+love.system.pickFile = function(kind)
+  pickedKind = kind
+  return true
+end
+love.system.getPickedFile = function()
+  love.system.getPickedFile = function() return nil end
+  return [[C:\LocalState\picked_required_import.bin]]
+end
+removedPath = nil
+local required = RomImporter.new(function() end, { launcher = true })
+required.mods = { {
+  id = "needs-source",
+  manifest = {
+    id = "needs-source", name = "Needs source",
+    required_imports = { {
+      id = "source", name = "Source", file = "source.bin",
+      md5 = { "00000000000000000000000000000000" },
+    } },
+  },
+} }
+required._importRequiredSource = function(self, modId, importId, path)
+  self.requiredPath = { modId = modId, importId = importId, path = path }
+  return true
+end
+required:chooseRequiredImport("needs-source", "source")
+check(pickedKind == "required_import", "UWP requests the required-import picker kind")
+required:update(0)
+check(required.requiredPath and required.requiredPath.path
+    == [[C:\LocalState\picked_required_import.bin]],
+  "UWP routes the picked dependency to its declared import")
+check(required.requiredPath.modId == "needs-source"
+    and required.requiredPath.importId == "source",
+  "UWP preserves the pending mod and import identity")
+check(removedPath == [[C:\LocalState\picked_required_import.bin]],
+  "UWP removes its temporary required-import copy after validation")
+
 love.system.getOS = saved.getOS
 love.system.pickFile = saved.pickFile
 love.system.getPickedFile = saved.getPickedFile
diff --git a/tests/modkit/cases/sandbox.lua b/tests/modkit/cases/sandbox.lua
index 4c7aba9b..27133e15 100644
--- a/tests/modkit/cases/sandbox.lua
+++ b/tests/modkit/cases/sandbox.lua
@@ -62,6 +62,9 @@ local PROBE = [[
   out.assignGarbage = attempt(function() love.mousemoved = 7 end)
   out.powerInfo = type(love.system.getPowerInfo)
   out.openUrl = love.system.openURL("https://example.com")
+  -- tls* is forwarded from the real love.system when the engine hung it
+  -- (Gen1Tls / Android JNI); without that it's just nil, not an error.
+  out.tlsOpenType = type(love.system.tlsOpen)
   out.eventQuit = love.event.quit()
   out.popen = select(1, io.popen("ls"))
 
@@ -200,6 +203,8 @@ T.check(out.loveAssign ~= false,
   "a mod cannot replace a love module table: " .. tostring(out.loveAssign))
 T.eq(out.powerInfo, "function",
   "love.system reads through to the same information mod.device exposes")
+T.check(out.tlsOpenType == "function" or out.tlsOpenType == "nil",
+  "tls* is readable through the system shim (nil until the engine hangs it)")
 
 -- a wrapped callback has to land on the real table or the wrap never fires
 T.eq(type(installedMouseMoved), "function",
diff --git a/tests/save_editor_gen2_tests.lua b/tests/save_editor_gen2_tests.lua
index 3114ae98..365ec70e 100644
--- a/tests/save_editor_gen2_tests.lua
+++ b/tests/save_editor_gen2_tests.lua
@@ -373,5 +373,25 @@ do
   check(main ~= nil, "saveFilename resolves for gold")
 end
 
+-- Gold's cache has no text_pointers / trainer_headers / field.  Data:load
+-- used to throw in seedDefaults (self.field.boot) after filling pokemon
+-- with provenance scalars.  That is the Android first-Edit CTD: the APK
+-- cannot fall back to Red's source-tree copies the way a desktop checkout
+-- can.
+do
+  GameVersion.set("gold")
+  local Data = require("src.core.Data")
+  Data.constants = {}
+  Data.pokemon = { generation = 2, CYNDAQUIL = { dex = 155 } }
+  Data.maps = {}
+  Data.field = nil
+  Data.trainer_headers = nil
+  local ok, err = pcall(function() Data:seedDefaults() end)
+  check(ok, "gold seedDefaults survives a Gold-shaped cache: " .. tostring(err))
+  check(type(Data.field) == "table", "seedDefaults creates field when Gold omitted it")
+  eq(Data.constants.dexSize, 155, "dexSize ignores pokemon.generation scalar")
+  GameVersion.set("red")
+end
+
 print(string.format("save editor gen2 tests: %d passed, %d failed", passed, failed))
 if failed > 0 then os.exit(1) end
diff --git a/tools/save-editor/App.lua b/tools/save-editor/App.lua
index 260aadab..5e45e56f 100644
--- a/tools/save-editor/App.lua
+++ b/tools/save-editor/App.lua
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ function App.load(pathOverride, opts)
   -- the same mod set the game loads, merged into Data before the catalogs
   -- build, so modded species/items/moves are editable and MonOps stops
   -- asserting on them
-  if not mods then
+  if not mods or App.dataVersion ~= opts.version then
     -- One loader per editor session.  A previous session leaves Data holding
     -- that session's merged registries (and possibly the other game's cache),
     -- and a second builtin registration over them collides -- "statuses
diff --git a/tools/save-editor/Catalog.lua b/tools/save-editor/Catalog.lua
index 9ef209e7..12fe8e7f 100644
--- a/tools/save-editor/Catalog.lua
+++ b/tools/save-editor/Catalog.lua
@@ -40,10 +40,11 @@ end
 
 local function shellListLua(dir)
   local out = {}
+  if not (io and io.popen) then return out end
   if package.config:sub(1, 1) == "\\" then
     -- cmd has no ls; dir /b prints bare names, so re-attach the directory
-    local p = io.popen(string.format('dir /b "%s\\*.lua" 2>nul', dir))
-    if p then
+    local ok, p = pcall(io.popen, string.format('dir /b "%s\\*.lua" 2>nul', dir))
+    if ok and p then
       for line in p:lines() do
         if line ~= "" then table.insert(out, dir .. "/" .. line) end
       end
@@ -51,8 +52,8 @@ local function shellListLua(dir)
     end
     return out
   end
-  local p = io.popen(string.format('ls "%s"/*.lua 2>/dev/null', dir))
-  if p then
+  local ok, p = pcall(io.popen, string.format('ls "%s"/*.lua 2>/dev/null', dir))
+  if ok and p then
     for line in p:lines() do
       table.insert(out, line)
     end
@@ -64,8 +65,8 @@ end
 local function readText(path)
   local fs = love and love.filesystem
   if fs and fs.read and fs.getInfo and fs.getInfo(path) then
-    local body = fs.read(path)
-    if body then return body end
+    local ok, body = pcall(fs.read, path)
+    if ok and body then return body end
   end
   local f = io.open(path, "r")
   if not f then return nil end
@@ -78,7 +79,7 @@ end
 -- scripts show up beside the vanilla EVENT_ ones
 function Catalog.scrapeEvents(scriptDir, headerPath, listFiles, extraDirs)
   listFiles = listFiles or function(dir)
-    return loveListLua(dir) or shellListLua(dir)
+    return loveListLua(dir) or shellListLua(dir) or {}
   end
 
   local found = {}
@@ -97,7 +98,8 @@ function Catalog.scrapeEvents(scriptDir, headerPath, listFiles, extraDirs)
     dirs[#dirs + 1] = dir
   end
   for _, dir in ipairs(dirs) do
-    for _, path in ipairs(listFiles(dir)) do
+    local files = listFiles(dir) or {}
+    for _, path in ipairs(files) do
       local body = readText(path)
       if body then eat(body) end
     end
diff --git a/tools/save-editor/Gen.lua b/tools/save-editor/Gen.lua
index 9050fbd0..695aa9b8 100644
--- a/tools/save-editor/Gen.lua
+++ b/tools/save-editor/Gen.lua
@@ -78,15 +78,28 @@ function Gen.bindGoldData(data)
   if data.palettes and data.gen2Palettes == nil then
     data.gen2Palettes = data.palettes
   end
-  if data.gen2Roofs == nil and data.roofs == nil then
-    local ok, roofs = pcall(require, "data.generated.roofs")
-    if ok and type(roofs) == "table" then
-      data.roofs = roofs
-      data.gen2Roofs = roofs
+
+  local loadGen = function(rel)
+    local CacheFs = require("src.import.CacheFs")
+    local bytes = CacheFs.readActive("data/generated/" .. rel .. ".lua")
+    if type(bytes) == "string" then
+      local chunk = loadstring(bytes, "@gold/data/generated/" .. rel .. ".lua")
+      if chunk then
+        local ok, res = pcall(chunk)
+        if ok and type(res) == "table" then return res end
+      end
     end
-  elseif data.roofs and data.gen2Roofs == nil then
-    data.gen2Roofs = data.roofs
+    local ok, res = pcall(require, "data.generated." .. rel)
+    if ok and type(res) == "table" then return res end
+    return nil
   end
+
+  data.gen2Palettes = data.gen2Palettes or loadGen("palettes")
+  data.gen2Icons = data.gen2Icons or loadGen("icons")
+  data.gen2Pokedex = data.gen2Pokedex or loadGen("pokedex")
+  data.gen2Landmarks = data.gen2Landmarks or loadGen("landmarks")
+  data.gen2Roofs = data.gen2Roofs or loadGen("roofs") or data.roofs
+  data.gen2Sprites = data.gen2Sprites or loadGen("sprites")
   return data
 end
 
@@ -213,10 +226,15 @@ function Gen.playerMap(save)
   if Gen.of(save) == 2 then
     local p = save.position
     if p and p.map then return p.map, p.x or 0, p.y or 0, p.facing end
-    return save.spawn, 0, 0
+    if type(save.spawn) == "table" then
+      return save.spawn.map or "PLAYERS_HOUSE_2F", save.spawn.x or 0, save.spawn.y or 0, save.spawn.facing
+    elseif type(save.spawn) == "string" then
+      return save.spawn, 0, 0
+    end
+    return "PLAYERS_HOUSE_2F", 3, 3
   end
   local p = save.player or {}
-  return p.map, p.x or 0, p.y or 0
+  return p.map or "REDS_HOUSE_2F", p.x or 0, p.y or 0
 end
 
 function Gen.setPlayerHere(save, mapId, x, y, facing)