Unpatched

This section will go over homebrewing your unpatched V1 Switch. We will be going over how to go into RCM ( recovery mode ), 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 guide to work, you explicitly do need an unpatched V1, any other Switch 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

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1. 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

   • 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.

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Requirements

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• This ( fantastic ) guide. :)
• An unpatched V1 Switch.
• A microSD card of your choice.
  • Read MicroSD guide.
• 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.

AND

• An RCM JIG ( can be found on marketplaces like Amazon ).
• A USB cable to connect your Switch to your device.
• A PC or laptop.

OR

• A phone or tablet.

OR

• An RCMLoader ( can be bought from sites like Amazon and Aliexpress ).

AutoRCM

This guide will enable AutoRCM by default. Once you’ve used Hekate to enable it, the console from that moment on will always go into RCM when turned on, making the RCM JIG not needed anymore ( It is needed for the first time and every time you go out of CFW ).

MicroSD Card Setup

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For the initial setup you will need:

• This ( fantastic ) guide. :)
• An unpatched V1 Switch.
• A microSD card of your choice.
  • Read MicroSD guide.
• 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.

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4. Download the following files:

   Hekate

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   hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x_Nyx_x.x.x.zip

   From their Github.

   Atmosphere

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

   From their Github.

   Sigpatches

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   sigpatches.zip

   From their website.

   Bootlogos

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

   Note

   You can rename the file to emummc.txt if you only want this to apply to emuMMC, if you rename it to emummc.txt Nintendo connections will not be blocked in sysMMC.

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Injecting A Payload

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To continue you’ll also need:

• An RCM JIG ( can be found on marketplaces like Amazon ).
• A USB cable to connect your Switch to your device.
• A PC or laptop.

OR

• A phone or tablet.

OR

• An RCMLoader ( can be bought from sites like Amazon and Aliexpress ).

Start

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8. Setting aside payload

   Inside of hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x_Nyx_x.x.x.zip that you downloaded earlier, there is a file named hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin.

   Copy this file to your desktop or any other directory where you can find it later, you will need it in a bit.

9. Entering RCM

   To start, place your microSD card inside of your Switch, take off the right joycon and put the RCM JIG on the right rail and slide it all the way down.

   If the Switch is on, turn it off and then power it back on while holding the Vol + button, this should result in just a black screen.

   If you have a black screen, it means you’re in RCM and your Switch is ready to inject.

   Note

   For the next step, if, when injecting, nothing happens, your unit may be patched, check Possibly patched.

PC / Laptop

Windows

10. Download:

    TegraRcmGui

    ---

    TegraRcmGUI_vx.x_Installer.msi

    From their Github.

11. TegraRcmGui

    1. Open the installer and install TegraRcmGui. Once installed, open it. Once TegraRcmGui is up and running, go to the Settings tab and click on Install Driver.

    2. Once the driver is installed, go back to TegraRcmGui, go to the Payload tab and press the folder icon. Navigate to whatever directory you put the aforementioned hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin in and select it.

    3. Connect your Switch to your PC or laptop using an USB cable and press Inject payload, you should now launch into Hekate.

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Linux & MacOS

10. Access:

    Web Fusee Launcher

    ---

    From their website.

    Works for all distros, Intel Macs & Apple Silicon.

11. Web Fusee Launcher

    1. Connect your Switch to your PC or laptop using an USB cable and access the website.

    2. Click on Custom .bin payload and select hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin ( that you set aside earlier ).

    3. Press Do the thing! and you should launch into Hekate.

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ChromeOS

10. Download:

    Rekado

    ---

    x.x.Rekado.xxx.-release.apk

    From their Github.

11. Rekado

    1. Connect your Switch to your laptop using an USB cable and open Rekado.

    2. Go to Payloads, press the + icon and select hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin ( that you set aside earlier ).

    3. Select hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin when prompted, and you should now launch into Hekate.

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Phone / Tablet

Android

10. Download:

    Rekado

    ---

    x.x.Rekado.xxx.-release.apk

    From their Github.

11. Rekado

    1. Connect your Switch to your phone or tablet using an USB cable and open Rekado.

    2. Go to Payloads, press the + icon and select hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin ( that you set aside earlier ).

    3. Select hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin when prompted, and you should now launch into Hekate.

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iOS / iPadOS

10. Download:

    NXBoot

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    NXBoot_x.x.x-x.tipa

    From their Github.

    Requires device to be jailbroken / requires sideloading.

11. NXBoot

    1. Connect your Switch to your phone or tablet using an USB cable and open NXBoot.

    2. Put the hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin file that you set aside earlier in your iCloud storage.

    3. In NXBoot, select hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin and you should now launch into Hekate.

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RCMLoader

10. First use

    1. Recharge the RCMLoader before first use and put it inside of your Switch with the Switch turned off, you also won’t need

11. RCMLoader

    1. Once the Switch is completely off, put the RCM JIG in the right rail and the RCMLoader in the USB port.

    2. Hold the power button on the Switch and the + button on the RCMLoader while the Switch is off and continue holding until the LED on the RCMLoader turns blue.

    3. You should now launch into Hekate.

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Creating emuMMC

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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.

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.

Partition-based

12. 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.

13. 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.

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File-based

12. Partitioning

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

    Press Next Step and press Start.

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

13. Creating emuMMC

    Select emuMMC in the main menu and select Create emuMMC. Select SD File.

    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.

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Finishing up

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14. 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.

15. 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.

    Before launching sysMMC

    Doing certain things in sysMMC will get your device banned. Read Avoid bans to read about what will get you banned and what won’t.

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

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Continue

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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:

• Install homebrew apps.
• Install titles via USB.
• Install themes.
• Manage cheats.
• Manage sysmodules.
• Setup Tesla overlay.
• Emulating Amiibo.

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