Hacking Secrets of the Leaked Nintendo Switch SDK

[MisterSheep]

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[TheCyberQuake]

As many people here on GBATemp have talked about, there is nothing much exciting to the Nintendo Switch SDK that was leaked on 4chan a few days ago (no I will not provide a mirror of it). I noticed that many files shown in some leaked documentation (the most important ones) are not in the SDK zip. At least not at first glance. The zip contains many zip files containing core files for the SDK, but no executables. There is a .megazarf file, titled NintendoSDK_16.7.megazarf (that after reading up on, nintendo created), extracting it created a whole slew of .zarf files. Sure enough, all of the zarf files were titled the missing executable folders. And inside of each one were... FILES! Basically, the .megazarf file and .zarf files are just renamed zip files. Extract them using 7-Zip, and you're good to go. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go write a demo to a switch cartridge. (documentation says its possible so it's worth a try)

Edit: Yes, I am working on an unsigned code loader.

You won't be able to access a retail switch with these tools. They are bound to only working on dev units. So no you won't be writing a demo to a switch cartridge. You don't even have anything to write to it.
And no you aren't 'working on a unsigned code loader. Stop posting a bunch of BS

 

[Tizm]

You won't be able to access a retail switch with these tools. They are bound to only working on dev units. So no you won't be writing a demo to a switch cartridge. You don't even have anything to write to it.
And no you aren't 'working on a unsigned code loader. Stop posting a bunch of BS

Fire!

also quite sure bs as of right now.

 

[MisterSheep]

You won't be able to access a retail switch with these tools. They are bound to only working on dev units. So no you won't be writing a demo to a switch cartridge. You don't even have anything to write to it.
And no you aren't 'working on a unsigned code loader. Stop posting a bunch of BS

First of all, we don't know if this works on only dev systems or not. If so, modifications could probably be done to the retail system to do so.
Second, that was a joke.

 

[TheCyberQuake]

First of all, we don't know if this works on only dev systems or not. If so, modifications could probably be done to the system to do so.
Second, that was a joke.

Actually, I know for a fact that by default you can't get any of the dev tools to connect to a retail switch. I've got them all installed and can't get any to do anything with a retail switch. Dev units have specific software in them that allow these tools to connect and work with it. The retail switches lack that, and without modifying the switch software (which in turn would require already having some sort of exploit) they simply won't show up to the dev software, as if they don't exist.

 

[Deleted User]

Actually, I know for a fact that by default you can't get any of the dev tools to connect to a retail switch. I've got them all installed and can't get any to do anything with a retail switch. Dev units have specific software in them that allow these tools to connect and work with it. The retail switches lack that, and without modifying the switch software (which in turn would require already having some sort of exploit) they simply won't show up to the dev software, as if they don't exist.

Correct. Not only is it a retail variant of the firmware, but even the hardware ID populates as a different entry than an EDEV or SDEV unit. No amount of willpower is going to turn the device into a dev unit, the driver provided by Nintendo as part of the SDK can't be installed for the Switch when plugged into the PC (Even if you disable signature checks on windows and force an install), and none of the provided utilities can connect.

One last note: The folks working on Pegaswitch are avoiding the SDK, for legal and functionality reasons all the same. If a group of proven folks, respected by the community for consistent releases, doesn't bother with it, then you're probably not going to get too far either. No reason for further discussion on the matter.

 

[iAqua]

As many people here on GBATemp have talked about, there is nothing much exciting to the Nintendo Switch SDK that was leaked on 4chan a few days ago (no I will not provide a mirror of it). I noticed that many files shown in some leaked documentation (the most important ones) are not in the SDK zip. At least not at first glance. The zip contains many zip files containing core files for the SDK, but no executables. There is a .megazarf file, titled NintendoSDK_16.7.megazarf (that after reading up on, I found out that nintendo created), extracting it created a whole slew of .zarf files. Sure enough, all of the zarf files were titled the missing executable folders. And inside of each one were... FILES! Basically, the .megazarf file and .zarf files are just renamed zip files. Extract them using 7-Zip, and you're good to go. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go write a demo to a switch cartridge. (documentation says its possible so it's worth a try)

Edit: Yes, I am working on an unsigned code loader.
Edit 2: Heck, assuming this thing lets you write to retail carts like documentation says, we might not even need an unsigned code loader.
Edit 3: Looks like some people can't take a joke. Sorry. I tried to make Edit 1 sound as sarcastic as possible.
Edit 4: Going to buy a USB Type C to Type A tomorrow. Going to plug it in and see what happens. I'll update this post if anything interesting happens.
Edit 5: Documentation states that .nca files are the files that you write to carts. Just happened to find one in one of the zarfs, going to see if I can edit and/or run it.
Edit 6: Managed to get into the main SDK executable, here's a last screenshot until tomorrow:

Edit 7: I just had to point this out just because it's kind of funny. The font is literally called "awesome", the same word that matches peoples' thoughts on this SDK.

What the fuck are you doing? I'm sorry to be an asshole but you're being fucking autistic, OPENLY discussing contents of a copyrighted SDK, bravo, one way ticket to a lawsuit, i'm saying this for your own good, stop now before you fuck over your life.

 

[Deleted User]

As many people here on GBATemp have talked about, there is nothing much exciting to the Nintendo Switch SDK that was leaked on 4chan a few days ago (no I will not provide a mirror of it). I noticed that many files shown in some leaked documentation (the most important ones) are not in the SDK zip. At least not at first glance. The zip contains many zip files containing core files for the SDK, but no executables. There is a .megazarf file, titled NintendoSDK_16.7.megazarf (that after reading up on, I found out that nintendo created), extracting it created a whole slew of .zarf files. Sure enough, all of the zarf files were titled the missing executable folders. And inside of each one were... FILES! Basically, the .megazarf file and .zarf files are just renamed zip files. Extract them using 7-Zip, and you're good to go. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go write a demo to a switch cartridge. (documentation says its possible so it's worth a try)

The main Megazarf file is just an archive. If instead of going in without bothering to actually learn about what you were seeing, you might have noticed the explicit instructions on what to do with the included zarf files. They're used by the installer to prepare the dev environment.

Edit: Yes, I am working on an unsigned code loader.
Edit 2: Heck, assuming this thing lets you write to retail carts like documentation says, we might not even need an unsigned code loader.
Edit 3: Looks like some people can't take a joke. Sorry. I tried to make Edit 1 sound as sarcastic as possible.
Edit 4: Going to buy a USB Type C to Type A tomorrow. Going to plug it in and see what happens. I'll update this post if anything interesting happens.

Nothing at all will happen. Literally nothing at all, unless somehow you got a retail Switch with a dev firmware, AND it just so happens that when you plug the Switch into your system, it somehow malfunctions and lists a dev unit's hardware ID, AND somehow your hardware magically transforms into a dev unit with matching hardware.

Edit 5: Documentation states that .nca files are the files that you write to carts. Just happened to find one in one of the zarfs, going to see if I can edit and/or run it.

Again, you can't, because you can't connect to a retail switch. Also, you have no idea what you're even doing with this kit right now, but somehow you think you'll be able to modify a compiled executable? Cmon now dude, just stop, you're embarrassing yourself.

Edit 6: Managed to get into the main SDK executable, here's a last screenshot until tomorrow:

Oh my goodness! You managed to get into the big icon that says Portal? The one the documentation explicitly mentions to run? MAN, how did you ever manage to pull that off, seeing as all it took was double clicking something that ended in "exe"?

For real dude, posting screenshots of copyrighted materials, having no clue what you're doing all the meanwhile? Give it a rest and leave the hard work to people who know what they're doing.

 

[TheCyberQuake]

The main Megazarf file is just an archive. If instead of going in without bothering to actually learn about what you were seeing, you might have noticed the explicit instructions on what to do with the included zarf files. They're used by the installer to prepare the dev environment.

Nothing at all will happen. Literally nothing at all, unless somehow you got a retail Switch with a dev firmware, AND it just so happens that when you plug the Switch into your system, it somehow malfunctions and lists a dev unit's hardware ID, AND somehow your hardware magically transforms into a dev unit with matching hardware.


Again, you can't, because you can't connect to a retail switch. Also, you have no idea what you're even doing with this kit right now, but somehow you think you'll be able to modify a compiled executable? Cmon now dude, just stop, you're embarrassing yourself.



Oh my goodness! You managed to get into the big icon that says Portal? The one the documentation explicitly mentions to run? MAN, how did you ever manage to pull that off, seeing as all it took was double clicking something that ended in "exe"?

For real dude, posting screenshots of copyrighted materials, having no clue what you're doing all the meanwhile? Give it a rest and leave the hard work to people who know what they're doing.

Yep, it literally tells you how to install the megazarf if you actually pay attention and read readme files.
Also I have a USB C to A and can confirm absolutely nothing happens (decided to test for funsies even though I was sure nothing would happen).
I hope this thread gets locked. This is just ridiculous.

 

[MisterSheep]

Yep, it literally tells you how to install the megazarf if you actually pay attention and read readme files.
Also I have a USB C to A and can confirm absolutely nothing happens (decided to test for funsies even though I was sure nothing would happen).
I hope this thread gets locked. This is just ridiculous.

Ridiculous over explaining so that way it's easier to get to the SDK? I think we can all agree that the documentation for it is a jumbled mess. And yes, the post will go away in a matter of time. Tech difficulties as the site for some reason won't let me contact staff. :/

 

[TotalInsanity4]

Ridiculous over explaining so that way it's easier to get to the SDK? I think we can all agree that the documentation for it is a jumbled mess. And yes, the post will go away in a matter of time. Tech difficulties as the site for some reason won't let me contact staff. :/

I contacted them for you

 

[MisterSheep]

I contacted them for you

Thank you very much.