Hardware [IDEA] Upgrading Nintendo Switch's Internal Memory

[Aldoria]

I just got that idea : Since we can remove the eMMC module inside the Nintendo Switch, maybe we can do a backup of our current switch, find a compatible eMMC module, put it inside the switch then restore our nand ?

 

[InsaneNutter]

It might well be possible at some point, however i'd question if it's really of any benefit?

Micro SDXC cards are only going to get larger and cheaper over the years.

 

[PabloMK7]

I just got that idea : Since we can remove the eMMC module inside the Nintendo Switch, maybe we can do a backup of our current switch, find a compatible eMMC module, put it inside the switch then restore our nand ?

First finding a compatible eMMC module may be a bit expensive if possible. Secondly unless the system is designed to accept other sizes I don't think it will be able to operate with the new one without big modifications to the Horizon OS.

 

[watchband]

If this would be such a great idea and so easy to do, don't you think real hackers would have been doing this already?

 

[Aldoria]

My guess is that if it's easely removable, that mean there will possibly be new switch with bigger internal memory, that's why I'm thinking it can be possible to do that, or if in the future those switch with more space really exist, we can try to swap 2 modules (even if those versions might be not exploitable

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I'm not really clear sorry

 

[KiiWii]

If this would be such a great idea and so easy to do, don't you think real hackers would have been doing this already?

Some devs only develop in areas they're comfortable/focused on, they don't necessarily invest time or thought into every avenue.

It's entirely plausible to upgrade any part, but the underlying assembly code has to be there to make it integrate: It's a big job.

 

[Jayro]

Some devs only develop in areas they're comfortable/focused on, they don't necessarily invest time or thought into every avenue.

It's entirely plausible to upgrade any part, but the underlying assembly code has to be there to make it integrate: It's a big job.

Storage is actually one of the most painless things to expand in hacked devices... Look at the OG Xbox with the bigger harddrives, or the old iPods with harddrives in them, converted to use Flash memory... They needed little to no modification to use more space. Switch should be similar.

 

[lisreal2401]

Storage is actually one of the most painless things to expand in hacked devices... Look at the OG Xbox with the bigger harddrives, or the old iPods with harddrives in them, converted to use Flash memory... They needed little to no modification to use more space. Switch should be similar.

You're comparing things with no security to a console with a lot of it, like sure in another OS it would work but Horizon would have to tweaked for that to even happen. The two examples here you could literally achieve without any hardware stuff. On the iPod that wasn't even a hack - you're just replacing the storage the thing had to start and syncing restoring the thing mostly.

 

[Jayro]

You're comparing things with no security to a console with a lot of it, like sure in another OS it would work but Horizon would have to tweaked for that to even happen. The two examples here you could literally achieve without any hardware modding.

The kernel should just see the extra space and address it accordingly, with no issues. (Might need reinitialized, but that's it.)

 

[lisreal2401]

The kernel should just see the extra space and address it accordingly, with no issues. (Might need reinitialized, but that's it.)

Is there any documentation that would actually work or are you guessing?

 

[Jayro]

Is there any documentation that would actually work or are you guessing?

i'm assuming. The kernel should be handling all the filesystem stuff, like Linux does.

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It should work just like seeing a bigger SD card being inserted. More addressable space, with zero issues.

 

[Viri]

If it was cheap to do, I guess? But micro sd cards aren't that expensive. I bet a 128gb Switch nand memory chip would cost double or perhaps 3 times more than a 128gb micro sd card.

 

[wiewiec]

I think it is possible on Youtube I saw some time ago a vid about change storage chip on Iphone, but it is not for casual user because it is micro soldering SMD

 

[Deleted User]

however i'd question if it's really of any benefit?

Games stored on the internal memory do have the fastest load times. Whether or not it's worth it depends on the amount of time and effort developers need to put in to make it work and the time and money a user has to spend finding a compatible eMMC module and soldering it in/paying someone to solder it in.

 

[InsaneNutter]

The kernel should just see the extra space and address it accordingly, with no issues. (Might need reinitialized, but that's it.)

We don't really know enough either way, it depends on the security implemented. Look at the Xbox 360, you need to flash a security sector on to a 3rd party hard drive so a non modified 360 will acknowledge the storage is there.

It can be done on something like an iPhone with a lot of effort though:

 

[Dracari]

Horizon OS may be capable of utilizing more than 32GB eMMC, but it maynot be "Aware"
to put in example... hmm . for older PC's Windows 98 is "Technically" capable as a fully 32bit OS, of addressing to the 4GB Ram barrier, but because at that time it wasnt a thing, outside Server enviroments (and Really expensive ones at that,) only 512MB could be utilized and past that it got unstable. it had its own fare share of Storage Woes , as past 120GB it'd roll over and begin overwriting at Sector Zero and w/o 3rd party patches like Rleows's big hdd patch .. RIP.

Anyway i'm off topic... the Switch's Horizon OS maybe in teh same boat . it Expects right now (without an update) 32GB eMMC Storage. but without being told to look for more it'd be blind deaf and dumb to more outside the MicroSD.

the OG Xbox's are .. Basicly a late 98 Era PC in a box and borrow such limitations as well (you cant use over a 137GB IDE HDD w/o a Modchip or TSOP Flash) plus your not using the retail Dash on these Anyway, your using a replacement Homebrew dash (most thru the years use Evox or XBMC or Avalanche )since they're well made to be aware of more than a 10GB HDD, to the IDE hard limitation (i believe is 1TB? i know there is only 1 single company that makes 1 TB IDE drive everyone else teh highest manufactured was 750GB)