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Mariko

This section will go over homebrewing your patched V1 Switch or Mariko Switch. We will be going over setting up your microSD card, creating an emulated NAND ( emuNAND / emuMMC ) while also blocking Nintendo’s servers so you don’t get banned.

  • In order for this method to work, you explicitly do need a Patched V1 or Mariko with a modchip, stock models will not work.

Make sure you have read the Introduction section before doing this, as it contains a lot of important information to homebrewing.

Firstly

Section titled “Firstly”
  1. Disable cloud saves
    Section titled “Disable cloud saves”
    • To do this, go to Settings -> Data Management -> Save Data Cloud -> Settings and disable Automatically back up save data as well as Automatically download save data.
  2. Backup
    Section titled “Backup”
    • Make sure you have backed up anything on the microSD card if the card has been used beforehand, because following this guide will wipe the microSD card.

MicroSD Card Setup

Section titled “MicroSD Card Setup”
For the initial setup you will need:
Section titled “For the initial setup you will need:”
  • This ( fantastic ) guide. :)
  • A patched V1 Switch or Mariko Switch with a modchip.
  • A microSD card of your choice.
  • A ( micro ) SD card reader.

    • You can buy a microSD card reader, you can buy an SD card reader with a microSD to SD adapter, you can use your laptops ( micro ) SD card reader, or maybe even that microSD slot in your phone! ( Not recommended. Android will make folders in the card, which may make it look a bit messy, but it’s a way! ).

      Whatever works, so long as you have something to access your microSD card.

  1. Download the following files:
    Section titled “Download the following files:”

    Hekate

    hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x_Nyx_x.x.x.zip

    From their Github.

    Atmosphere

    atmosphere-x.x.x-master-xxxxxxxxx+hbl-x.x.x+hbmenu-x.x.x.zip

    From their Github.

    Sigpatches

    sigpatches.zip

    From their website.

    Bootlogos
  2. Hekate launch options
    Section titled “Hekate launch options”

    Inside of /bootloader/ on the root of your microSD card, create a file named hekate_ipl.ini.

    • You will need to create a configuration file to set up parameters for Hekate.
    • Directoryatmosphere/
      • …
    • Directorybootloader/
      • hekate_ipl.ini Create this file.
    • Directoryswitch/
      • …
    • hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin
    • hbmenu.nro

    Copy the bit below and paste it inside of hekate_ipl.ini:

    • You can use the button in the top right of the box in order to copy.
    [config]
    autoboot=0
    autoboot_list=0
    bootwait=3
    backlight=100
    autohosoff=0
    autonogc=1
    updater2p=1
    bootprotect=0
    

    [emuMMC - CFW]
    fss0=atmosphere/package3
    emummcforce=1
    cal0blank=1
    kip1patch=nosigchk
    icon=bootloader/res/emu_boot.bmp
    

    [sysMMC - CFW]
    fss0=atmosphere/package3
    kip1=atmosphere/kips/*
    emummc_force_disable=1
    icon=bootloader/res/sys_cfw_boot.bmp
    

    [Stock - OFW]
    fss0=atmosphere/package3
    stock=1
    emummc_force_disable=1
    icon=bootloader/res/stock_boot.bmp

    Copy the /bootloader/ folder that is inside of bootlogos.zip to the root of your microSD card.

    • If asked to overwrite, click yes.
  3. Avoiding a ban
    Section titled “Avoiding a ban”

    Inside of the root of your microSD card, create a file named exosphere.ini.

    • Directoryatmosphere/
      • …
    • Directorybootloader/
      • hekate_ipl.ini
    • Directoryswitch/
      • …
    • hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin
    • exosphere.ini Create this file.
    • hbmenu.nro

    Copy the bit below and paste it inside of exosphere.ini:

    • You can use the button in the top right of the box in order to copy.
    [exosphere]
    debugmode=1
    debugmode_user=0
    disable_user_exception_handlers=0
    enable_user_pmu_access=0
    blank_prodinfo_sysmmc=0
    blank_prodinfo_emummc=1
    allow_writing_to_cal_sysmmc=0
    log_port=0
    log_baud_rate=115200
    log_inverted=0
  4. Blocking Nintendo connections
    Section titled “Blocking Nintendo connections”

    Inside of /atmosphere/hosts/ on the root of your microSD card, create a file named default.txt.

    • Directoryatmosphere/
      • Directoryhosts/
        • default.txt Create this file.
    • Directorybootloader/
      • hekate_ipl.ini
    • Directoryswitch/
      • …
    • hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin
    • exosphere.ini
    • hbmenu.nro

    Copy the bit below and paste it inside of default.txt:

    • You can use the button in the top right of the box in order to copy.
    # Block Nintendo Servers
    127.0.0.1 *nintendo.*
    127.0.0.1 *nintendo-europe.com
    127.0.0.1 *nintendoswitch.*
    95.216.149.205 *conntest.nintendowifi.net
    95.216.149.205 *ctest.cdn.nintendo.net

Creating emuMMC

Section titled “Creating emuMMC”

Now, you will have to choose between either a partition-based emuMMC or file-based emuMMC, you can read about the differences in Partition-based or file-based if you still haven’t done so.

TLDR: Partition-based emuMMC is recommended because of it’s lower chance of corruption and higher performance, despite being a little harder to back up.

  1. Launching into Hekate
    Section titled “Launching into Hekate”

    In order to launch into Hekate, power off your Switch and power it on while holding VOL - in order to launch into Hekate.

  1. Partitioning
    Section titled “Partitioning”

    You should now be inside of Hekate. Navigate to the Tools tab, then select Partition SD card and press Ok.

    Move the emuMMC ( RAW ) slider until it says 29 FULL, then press Next Step and press Start.

    Once the operation is done, press Close and select the Home tab.

  2. Creating emuMMC
    Section titled “Creating emuMMC”

    Select emuMMC in the main menu and select Create emuMMC.

    Select SD Partition and select Part 1.

    Wait for your emuMMC to get created. Once it’s done, press Close.

    Navigate to the Tools tab again, then select Archive Bit - AutoRCM and pick Enable AutoRCM.

Finishing up

Section titled “Finishing up”
  1. Creating backup
    Section titled “Creating backup”

    It is recommended to now make a backup, please read Backup | Restore Switch in order to make a backup using Hekate since you’re already in it. Kill two birds with one stone.

  2. Launching Atmosphere
    Section titled “Launching Atmosphere”

    On the main menu of Hekate, press Launch, and then select emuMMC - CFW to launch emuMMC with Atmosphere.

    Alternatively, select sysMMC - CFW to boot into your sysMMC with Atmosphere.

    Alternatively, select Stock - OFW to launch OFW ( can be used for things like online play ).

Continue

Section titled “Continue”

Done! You have now successfully set up Atmosphere on your emuMMC.

Now, if you want to take advantage of CFW on emuMMC, it’s recommended to read through: