This thread is outdated
A lot of information in this thread is heavilly out of date.
If you have time, and have Staff permission, feel free to edit this thread and remove this statement once necessary.

Some information that needs to be addressed:

• SX OS and Atmosphere now supports proper LayeredFS, instructions for using it has changed since this tutorial was made
• Supported Firmware information is out of date
• LFSKit needs to be updated to properly support non 5.x.x firmware
• Compatability chart needs to be re-made

-PRAGMA

WARNING

• DO NOT GO ONLINE WHEN DOING THIS (YOU WILL BE BANNED)

How to use LayeredFS for Backup Loading

Firmware Supported: ONLY 5.x.x
Use the PRAGMA LFS Kit below.

PRAGMA's LFS Kit

DOWNLOAD
SOURCE

• Go from NOTHING in your SD Card to playing a game backup in a few clicks!
• Decrypt .XCI -> romfs/exefs folder with main.nmpd auto edited aswell as folder's name auto renamed to donor titleid
• Download NOTHING except LFSKit!

ENJOY!

Picking a Donor Title and getting Donor TitleIDRunning Game Backups!

1. 
   
   1. A donor title is the application we will run to open the backup.
      Pick a game you don't care about (Download a Demo or a free game from eShop, for example Octopath Demo)
      saves are something no one knows much about, we don't fully know where or how they are stored.
      They might overwrite the donor titles save, so seriously pick a game you DONT care about, not a game you rarely play.
      
      
   2. I also recommend picking a donor title/game combo that has been tested and reported working just so you know if YOU did something wrong or not.
   3. Find the TitleID of the donor title you chose from http://nswdb.com or http://switchbrew.org/index.php?title=Title_list/Games
      Region must be the same, choose the TitleID for the base-game NOT for the update title, even if your updated.
2. 
   
   1. Once again, boot into Hekate-IPL (Step 1).
   2. Enter "Launch firmware" and select "RomFS".
   3. Your now in your system's home menu.
   4. Open the Donor Title you set the TitleID of on that folder and .npmd file earlier.
   5. The game will load up flawlessly.
      If you opened the Title lets say, Fortnite, and Fortnite booted, the titleid of the folder in sd:/atmosphere/titles/{fortnitetitleid} doesnt exist, or doesnt start with 0100.
      If it gives you an error screen, either you didnt edit the main.npmd properly, or its an incompatible title/donor combo.
   To see which games work and which dont using which donor titles, look below.
   If you notice that you used a combination of Game and Donor title that isnt in the list below, post in the thread and I will add it. (look under to see what I need to add to chart).
   

Troubleshooting

• Black Screen/Infinitely Loading
  Leave it for around 5 minutes then press the home button and go back into the game without closing it. Often this can do the job.
• Freeze when Loading
  Close the game and try again, its a common occurence, you may have to try up to 4-5 times before getting it to work, sometimes you may even have to reboot between retries.

 

[OcelotGaming]

Splatoon 2 works fine injected into Just Dance 2018. (Crashes on fallout shelter)
Saves work using Just Dance 2018!

 

[PRAGMA]

Got Ultra street fighter to work on kitten squad
FW: 5.1

Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers?

 

[Stoned]

Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 Works whit Kitten Squad (Save not tested)

 

[Swan1360]

payday 2 just black screens when loading with pokemon quest help anyone?

 

[OcelotGaming]

payday 2 just black screens when loading with pokemon quest help anyone?

Try different games, like Fortnite or some other demo

 

[Zumoly]

Would sure be convenient to have the hex editor as homebrew app or standalone windows app for that matter.

 

[Leozairus]

Kirby working game and SAVE, donor -> ARMS (maybe work with Arms demo)

---
Not Working:
Mario Odyssey, Donor -> Mario Kart 8
South Park, Donor -> Pokemon Quest
South Park, Donor -> Fortnite
South Park, Donor -> Arms

 

[The3rdknuckles]

How do I do this on 3.0.0 when I was stupid enough to not get a free game?

 

[Draxzelex]

How do I do this on 3.0.0 when I was stupid enough to not get a free game?

You don't because you need to be on 5.1 to do this since it uses a patched kernel of 5.1

 

[x0x0]

payday 2 just black screens when loading with pokemon quest help anyone?

Strange, pd2 working fine for me.

 

[KeyZiro]

Splatoon 2 doesn't works with Kitten Squad as donor

 

[shinrukus]

How to use LayeredFS for Backup Loading

Step 1 - Hekate + LayeredFS SupportStep 2 - Preparing Donor TitleStep 3 - Installing Game BackupsStep 4 - Preparing RomFS CFWStep 5 - Running Game Backups!

1. 
   
   1. [If you have SDFiles already: Remove all files from the SD Cards root except folders and hbmenu.nro]
   2. [If you DONT have SDFiles yet (atmosphere, switch folders, hbmenu.nro etc): Extract this to SD Root.
   3. Download this and extract it to the root of your SD Card.
      The SD Card should look like this:
      
      
      
      (Nintendo folder may not exist but its fine)
   4. You now have Hekate + LayeredFS support.
2. 
   
   1. A donor title is the application we will run to open the backup.
   2. Pick a game you don't care about (Download a Demo or a free game from eShop, for example Octopath Demo)
      saves are something no one knows much about, we don't fully know where or how they are stored.
      They might overwrite the donor titles save, so seriously pick a game you DONT care about, not a game you rarely play.
      
      I also recommend picking a donor title/game combo that has been tested and reported working just so you know if YOU did something wrong or not.
   3. Look below for the Title ID or google it.
   4. Remember the Title ID, we need it for later.
3. 
   
   1. Follow this thread to get your .XCI file decrypted.
   2. You should now have a xciDecrypted folder. Rename that to the Donor Title's Title ID. Do note, it should always start with 0. So if your Title ID is 100XXXXXXXXXXXX add a 0 to the start.
   3. Download HxD v2.0 (not v1.7.7 from HxD Homepage) and install it.
   4. Follow the video tutorial here: https://streamable.com/77qas where xciDecryted is the renamed titleid folder and the titleid we change to is the same one as the folder name.
   5. You should now have a folder named as a titleid starting with 0100 and has an edited main.npmd
   6. Copy that folder, and paste it into your SD Card at: sd:/atmosphere/titles/
      The SD Card should look like this: (010025400AECE000 is Fortnite and is a Backup of Mario+Rabbids)
      
      
4. 
   
   1. Download TegraRcmSmasher here. Extract it to your desktop. Delete "Win32" if your PC is 64bit or Delete "x64" if your PC is 32bit. Delete the README and LICENSE files. Rename the Win32/x64 folder to RcmSmasher.
   2. Download @CTCaer 's Hekate Mod here (.bin file) Put it next to TegraRcmSmash.exe in RcmSmasher folder.
   3. Get a Jig and put it in the right joycon rail. (3d printed jig, paperclip, copper wire, e.t.c)
   4. Hold VOL+ and POWER for 2-3 seconds. If nothing happens, continue. Otherwise wait for it to load in, and power off and retry.
   5. Plug a USB Type-C lead into your Switch and the other end into your PC.
   6. It should say "APX" on the bottom right as a Notification or in Device Manager.
   7. Download and Open Zadig from: https://zadig.akeo.ie/
   8. From the device list, choose APX (if it's not showing up in the list, go to Options menu and check List All Devices)
   9. IMPORTANT for the driver type, cycle the arrows until you see libusbK (v3.0.7.0) in the text box (IMPORTANT!)
   10. Hit install driver.
5. 
   
   1. Get a Jig and put it in the right joycon rail. (3d printed jig, paperclip, copper wire, e.t.c)
   2. Hold VOL+ and POWER for 2-3 seconds. If nothing happens, continue. Otherwise wait for it to load in, and power off and retry.
   3. Plug a USB Type-C lead into your Switch and the other end into your PC.
   4. Drag the Hekate Mod .bin file over TegraRcmSmash.exe and let it rip. (It should show a bunch of text and close after a few seconds, not instantly)
   5. Look at your Switch
   6. VOL+ is UP, VOL- is DOWN, POWER is SELECT.
   7. Enter "Launch firmware" and select "RomFS".
   8. Your now in your system's home menu.
   9. Open the Donor Title you set the TitleID of on that folder and .npmd file earlier.
   10. The game will load up flawlessly (unless its one of the weird games with weird compatability).
   To see which games work and which dont using which donor titles, look below.
   If you notice that you used a combination of Game and Donor title that isnt in the list below, post in the thread and I will add it. (look under to see what I need to add to chart).
   

All free eShop Title's ID's - Handy for testing working games

Title Name	Title ID
Fortnite	010025400AECE000
Hulu	0100A66003384000
The Pinball Arcade	0100cd300880E000
Fallout Shelter	010043500A17A000
Octopath Demo	010096000B3EA000
Kitten Squad	01000C900A136000
Blazblue	0100C6E00AF2C000
Pinball FX3	0100DB7003828000
Pokemon Quest	01005D100807A000
Stern Pinball Arcade	0100AE0006474000
PaccMan VS	0100BA3003B70000

Working Titles - DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE TITLES ONLINE!

If the title is infinitely loading or black screen, leave it for roughly 5 minutes, press home button, go back into the donor title and see if it loads.
Some games just need a little push.

Boots?	Game	Donor Title's that WORK	Donor Title's that FAIL	Firmware	Saves?
✓	Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2	Kitten Squad	-	5.1.0	?
✓	Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers	Kitten Squad	-	5.1.0	?
✓	Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap	Astro Bears Party	-	5.1.0	?
✓	Wild Guns Reloaded	Pokemon Quest	-	5.1.0	?
✓	Lost Sphear	I Am Setsuna	-	5.1.0	?
✓	Little Nightmares: Complete Edition	Pokemon Quest	-	5.1.0	✓
✓	Gal Gun 2	Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap	-	5.1.0	✓
✓	RAYMAN LEGENDS: DEFINITIVE EDITION	Fortnite	-	5.1.0	?
✓	Sonic Forces	Fallout Shelter	Fortnite, Super Mario Odyssey	5.1.0	✓
✓	LEGO Worlds	Fortnite	-	5.1.0	✓
✓	Super Bomberman R	Fallout Shelter	-	5.1.0	?
✓	Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition	Super Mario Odyssey	-	5.1.0	✓
✓	Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle	Fortnite	-	5.1.0	✓
✓	Kirby Star Allies	Fortnite (doesnt save, max savesize of 5.3mb?), Pokemon Quest (?)	-	5.1.0	X
✓	Splatoon 2	Super Mario Odyssey	Rocket League (black screen)	5.1.0	✓
✓	Nintendo Labo - Toy-Con 02 ROBOT KIT	Super Mario Odyssey, Rocket League	-	5.1.0	?
✓	Minecraft - Switch Edition	Super One More Jump Demo	-	5.1.0	?
✓	Dragon Quest Builders	Fallout Shelter, ARMS, Blaster Master Zero, Kitten Squad, Pinball FX3, I Am Setsuna	-	5.1.0	✓
✓	The Binding of Isaac	Fallout Shelter (saves!), FAST RMX (saves?), Rocket League (saves?), Super Mario Odyssey (saves!)	-	5.1.0	✓?
✓	Darkest Dungeon	FAST RMX	-	5.1.0	?
✓	Just Dance 2018	Fortnite	-	5.1.0	?
✓	Human: Fall Flat	Fortnite	-	5.1.0	✓
✓	Pokkén Tournament	Skyrim, Fortnite, Just Dance 2018	Fallout Shelter (freezes on auto-save warning)	5.1.0	X
✓	Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze	Super Mario Odyssey, Fallout Shelter, Fortnite, Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap	-	5.1.0	✓
✓	Voez	Voez Demo, Fortnite, Super Mario Odyssey	-	5.1.0	✓
✓	Sonic Mania	Super Mario Odyssey	-	5.0.2	✓
✓	Payday 2	Pokemon Quest	FAST RMX	5.1.0	✓
✓	ARMS	Super Mario Odyssey (saves!), Namco Museum (saves?)	-	5.1.0	✓?
✓	Shantae: Half-Genie Hero	Fallout Shelter, Super Mario Odyssey	-	5.1.0	✓
✓	Scribblenauts Showdown	Rocket League	-	5.1.0	?
✓	Disgea 5	Super Mario Odyssey	-	5.1.0	✓
✓	Cave Story+	VOEZ (Demo)	-	5.1.0	✓
✓	Monster Hunter XX	Skyrim (loading screen doesnt fade, home button, and back in game to fix)	-	5.1.0	✓
X	Puyo Puyo Tetris Demo	-	Pokemon Quest	5.1.0	-
X	Puyo Puyo Tetris	-	Fortnite, Snipperclips Demo	5.1.0	-
X	Azure Striker Gunvolt Striker Pack	-	VOEZ Demo	5.1.0	-
X	Skyrim	-	Fortnite, Super Mario Odyssey (crashes starting a save)	5.1.0	-
X	Mario Kart 8 Deluxe	-	Puyo Puyo Tetris, Fortnite, RAYMAN LEGENDS: DEFINITIVE EDITION DEMO	5.1.0	-
X	DOOM	-	Fallout Shelter (crashes before menu)	5.1.0	-
X	Overcooked!	-	Fortnite	5.1.0	-
X	1-2-Switch	-	Fortnite, Splatoon 2, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Snipperclips Demo	5.1.0	-
X	Xenoblade Chronicles 2	-	Fortnite, Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap, RAYMAN LEGENDS: DEFINITIVE EDITION DEMO, Fallout Shelter	5.1.0	-
X	Super Mario Odyssey	-	Fortnite, Pokemon Quest, FAST RMX, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Namco Museum, Fallout Shelter, Puyo Puyo Tetris, Octopath Traveler Demo	5.1.0	-

Adding to List

Post the game name, donor name tried, firmware (probably 5.1.0).
If it boots I also need to know if it saves or not

Notes

Seems fortnite is a good title to test with. Apparently using Fortnite as a Target Title and redirecting Axiom Verge works but I havent tried myself.
1-2-Switch seems to not work for anything, possibly as it doesnt use User-Accounts?

Try using an ACA Neo Geo game as a donor for 1-2 Switch, they don't require User Accounts until they get into the game mode after the game boots.

 

[GoldenBullet]

Bayonetta working over Fortnite and Oceanhorn Demo though it may crash if rebooted.

 

[friz2000]

Rabbids over SMO works. Saves work.

 

[Don Jon]

so why does loading smo mods work but loading the whole game doesnt?

 

[KeyZiro]

Xenoblade doesn't works with SMO, Fortnite, Pokemon Quest, Blaster Master Zero DEMO & Disgaea 5 Complete.

 

[otto888]

Splatoon 2 works and saves with the Splatfest demo if you have it.

 

[leerpsp]

Splatoon 2 works and saves with the Splatfest demo if you have it.

I can redownload the Splatfest demo lol

 

[Traiver]

Digital eShop game "Stardew Valley" working on Skyrim as a donor title. Saving works, too.

 

[MrWhosHacking]

:: Decrypting .xci's NCA files and finding the biggest NCA...
:: Decrypting Biggest .NCA's romfs to romfs.bin and all exefs files to /exefs... This may take a while...
!! === If it says section 0 is corrupt, then you need to obtain more keys than what you already have
:: Deleting ncas as we dont need them anymore
DONE! You should have a folder: xciDecrypted
xciDecrypted should contain an exefs folder and a romfs.bin. It should NOT contain anything else.

need help why in the folder there nothing