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Entering RCM mode and launching into Hekate

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.

Requirements

Section titled “Requirements”
  • 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 ).

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. :)
  • An unpatched V1 Switch.
  • 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

Hekate

Section titled “Hekate”

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 ).

Payload

Section titled “Payload”
  1. Setting aside payload
    Section titled “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.

  2. Entering RCM
    Section titled “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.

  1. Download:
    Section titled “Download:”

    TegraRcmGui

    TegraRcmGUI_vx.x_Installer.msi

    From their Github.

  2. TegraRcmGui
    Section titled “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.

Continue Reading

Section titled “Continue Reading”