Hacking Question I’m so confused as to how soft nodding with the switch works

[placebooooo]

Hi all,

I’m thinking about jumping to trade in my ps4 for a Nintendo switch console. However, I have no idea how softmodding works (what firmware can be modded, what firmware can’t, and what can be done with the softmod in its current stages).

I’m trying to play backups on my switch. What firmware would I need for this (I think I read here 4.1.0 or below?). Is it gonna be difficult to pick one up from GameStop with this firmware? What should I look for?

Ive been reading about something called atmosphere but don’t really know what that is. I’m trying to understand the capabilities of softmodding a switch right now. Would I be able to download games on to my console? What about team Xecuter’s dongle? It says they support all firmwares, even the latest. Are they reliable? Is their dongle really as easy as downloading the xci and putting it on your memory card? They don’t seem too expensive (what was it, $30?) but I don’t know how good or bad it is. I also heard they charge money to use their cfw, whatever that means.

Also, if I got a switch on low firmware and bought BOTW, would I be able to play it without updating my console? How about Mario odyssey. I want to buy a few games, but I also want to be on a firmware where I can softmod and play backups (“try before you buy”) whether it be using xecuter or softmods.

Any clarification for a noob would be highly appreciated. I really did read through the Gbatemp threads but didn’t understand much :/

Thank you so much.

 

[Corey103]

Hi all,

I’m thinking about jumping to trade in my ps4 for a Nintendo switch console. However, I have no idea how softmodding works (what firmware can be modded, what firmware can’t, and what can be done with the softmod in its current stages).

I’m trying to play backups on my switch. What firmware would I need for this (I think I read here 4.1.0 or below?). Is it gonna be difficult to pick one up from GameStop with this firmware? What should I look for?

Ive been reading about something called atmosphere but don’t really know what that is. I’m trying to understand the capabilities of softmodding a switch right now. Would I be able to download games on to my console? What about team Xecuter’s dongle? It says they support all firmwares, even the latest. Are they reliable? Is their dongle really as easy as downloading the xci and putting it on your memory card? They don’t seem too expensive (what was it, $30?) but I don’t know how good or bad it is. I also heard they charge money to use their cfw, whatever that means.

Also, if I got a switch on low firmware and bought BOTW, would I be able to play it without updating my console? How about Mario odyssey. I want to buy a few games, but I also want to be on a firmware where I can softmod and play backups (“try before you buy”) whether it be using xecuter or softmods.

Any clarification for a noob would be highly appreciated. I really did read through the Gbatemp threads but didn’t understand much :/

Thank you so much.

All firmware can play backups. <=4.1.0 is for booting CFW via software instead of the simple hardmod that firmwares above 4.1.0 will need.

Atmosphere is an upcoming CFW. It will be able to install homebrew, have EmuNAND, and a ton more features. That includes the inevitably playing of backups.

TX will work for you if you just want to play backups. Personally, I don't think it's worth it. But you certainly are free to do what you'd like. Atmosphere is free and open source at the end of the day.

You can play any game you want, just make sure you stay under 4.1.0 if you can if you want software CFW booting. Otherwise, you will have to use the hardmod which if you look around isn't bad at all.

SIDENOTE: If you play games on your Switch while you wait, it is HIGHLY recommended you turn off your wifi immediately on the Switch so that you don't update.

 

[placebooooo]

All firmware can play backups. <=4.1.0 is for booting CFW via software instead of the simple hardmod that firmwares above 4.1.0 will need.

Atmosphere is an upcoming CFW. It will be able to install homebrew, have EmuNAND, and a ton more features. That includes the inevitably playing of backups.

TX will work for you if you just want to play backups. Personally, I don't think it's worth it. But you certainly are free to do what you'd like. Atmosphere is free and open source at the end of the day.

You can play any game you want, just make sure you stay under 4.1.0 if you can if you want software CFW booting. Otherwise, you will have to use the hardmod which if you look around isn't bad at all.

SIDENOTE: If you play games on your Switch while you wait, it is HIGHLY recommended you turn off your wifi immediately on the Switch so that you don't update.

Thanks man. This really helped clear things up. I’m gonna go back to your comment and the stickies threads to make sure I understand as much as I can before purchasing. I’m sure you guys have a serial number thread on here somewhere too for firmware versions.

 

[Corey103]

Thanks man. This really helped clear things up. I’m gonna go back to your comment and the stickies threads to make sure I understand as much as I can before purchasing. I’m sure you guys have a serial number thread on here somewhere too for firmware versions.

Yup. Just look around. If you can find a Splatoon bundle, they are guaranteed to be under 4.1.0. Other than that, you can find them on Ebay for cheap.

 

[guily6669]

He just forgot to say Full coldboot exploit for up-to 4.01 might take a huge amount of time to come... Best FW is up to 3.01 if you want something booting from coldboot (but still unreleased)...

If you don't mind using RCM and sending a payload every time you turn the Switch console ON, then you can be on any FW even updated to the last one (but will most likely never have something self-bootable or may take a lot of years, no one knows...).

Also Team Xecuter is gonna release a modchip later that will make every FW to coldboot into CFW so with that hardmod you won't need to enter RCM and send payloads as the chip will most likely automate all of that.

ps: And a new Revised Switch is soon to come out with no ETA, it will have the known exploit fixed and might take 4 ever to find a new exploit 4 it, so you better buy a Switch as soon as possible.

 

[placebooooo]

He just forgot to say Full coldboot exploit for up-to 4.01 might take a huge amount of time to come... Best FW is up to 3.01 if you want something booting from coldboot (but still unreleased)...

If you don't mind using RCM and sending a payload every time you turn the Switch console ON, then you can be on any FW even updated to the last one (but will most likely never have something self-bootable or may take a lot of years, no one knows...).

Also Team Xecuter is gonna release a modchip later that will make every FW to coldboot into CFW so with that hardmod you won't need to enter RCM and send payloads as the chip will most likely automate all of that.

ps: And a new Revised Switch is soon to come out with no ETA, it will have the known exploit fixed and might take 4 ever to find a new exploit 4 it, so you better buy a Switch as soon as possible.

Cool cool. Thanks.

Since you brought up Tx, I wasn’t wondering why they sell two parts (OS and Pro) and of both are needed to load/play backups and the advantages of one over the other.

 

[WayneWayne10]

Soft nodding happens when you’re really tired and can’t keep your eyes open.

 

[NyaakoXD]

Cool cool. Thanks.

Since you brought up Tx, I wasn’t wondering why they sell two parts (OS and Pro) and of both are needed to load/play backups and the advantages of one over the other.

You don't need both, but having the Pro can give people a much easier time. You can just get the OS if you already have the stuff needed to do it. Like your own dongle or using USB to PC/mobile method. The Pro includes a dongle, a jig, and the OS, so it makes it easier for those that don't want to do it the other ways.

 

[WayneWayne10]

Post was deleted because someone got triggered #shitpost

 

[andijames]

On a somewhat related note (in not creating a thread for it like the most of you do) I used Hekate to backup my NAND. That's it. A LOT of games started crashing midway through after that. I'm sure there's detection for it but on a game per game basis at the mo. This was FIFA and to it started to crumble online.

 

[shchmue]

You're in the same boat as me sounds like. 9/10 if you buy from somewhere that moves product, you'll get 4.0.1/4.1.0 and be able to play either most of or all of what's available. Otherwise it'll be 3.X. No known cartridges require >4.1.0 yet. So then it's just a matter of enjoying whatever you can buy now until everything else releases.