All of these steps are so painfully obvious that they shouldn't need saying. However, many people seem to be getting themselves banned by being careless so let's list the possible precautions.

Remember - there is NO 100% surefire way to avoid a ban. All people can do is take every precaution possible.

Internet Settings

1. Set a custom DNS - Go to 'change settings' for your connection. The primary DNS should be 104.236.106.125 and the secondary should be 62.210.147.20. This will block connections to the Nintendo servers.

2. Disable 'Connect Automatically' - This forces you to manually connect and thus you can double check the DNS is set up properly. Again, a precaution.

3. Delete all other networks from your Internet Settings - You can never be too careful. Delete any networks you don't need and properly manage the ones you do.

4. Always use Flight Mode when not playing online - Again, this is a precaution to ensure no mistakes. If you need Bluetooth, you can just disable WiFi.

Here we have a 4 layer protection to avoid accidently being online unnecessarily and getting a ban. You can still play online, but the point is that these should all be your DEFAULT settings which you then manually disable when you want to play your (LEGIT) Splatoon 2 online. Remember to re-enable all these settings after you are done playing.

General Usage

1. Set up an extra account purely for Homebrew/piracy usage - This may or may not prevent your main account from getting banned and you losing all your digital purchases. Be sensible, don't use your main account when doing things you're not supposed to. Common sense. And don’t link it to the Nintendo store, keep it a purely offline account.

2. STAY OFFLINE when using CFW, SX etc. - Use flight mode and all the above internet settings when using CFW or SX. Will you really get banned for using CFW? Who knows, But you wanna risk it? Be my guest. Again, precautions.

3. Boot into STOCK firmware when playing online or using eShop - You wanna play Splatoon 2? Great! Just don't do it from within CFW or SX. Cover your back. Turn off your console, boot into stock. Is using legit games online in CFW safe? Maybe. But why risk it? Precautions.

4. Never update backup games or go online with them - This doesn't need explaining. Keep all your misadventures offline.
EDIT - It has been pointed out that people using SX can update their games by rebooting into stock firmware. The game should still appear abeit showing the cart as not inserted. In theory, it should be safe to update from here because no 'fake' cartridge is inserted. That said, it is still a risk. Up to you. Still NEVER update while in SX.

5. If errors occur when using homebrew, clear logs - This can be done by booting Hekate CTCaer, Launch Firmware-> Clear Logs. This prevents homebrew-related errors being sent to Nintendo.

6. Don't install DevMenu - Jury is still out of whether Nintendo can detect this, but having a pirated DevMenu is a pretty big red flag. I'd wait for a homebrew solution to install eShop files.

I wanna play Splatoon 2 online! What do I do?! - Reboot into STOCK firmware, disable flight mode, connect to your network manually and set DNS to automatic. Play your legit Splatoon 2 online. But once you are finished, REMEMBER TO SET THE DNS AGAIN AND ENABLE FLIGHT MODE to avoid any mistakes such as accidentally going online when playing a backup game.

Again - there is no 100% way to avoid a ban and not all of these steps may be necessary. It is all about second guessing Nintendo and taking every precaution possible.

 

[lumo93]

The only thing from this list I was already doing was using a dummy account. Nice guide.

 

[AlphaSapphire]

why didnt you tell me this when i wasnt banned

 

[Nerdtendo]

I was looking for a connect automatically option but couldn't find it. Where is it?

 

[Cubuss]

You should add log clearing when going in OFW with hekate

 

[daxtsu]

I was looking for a connect automatically option but couldn't find it. Where is it?

System Settings -> Internet -> Internet Settings -> Pick your network -> Change Settings -> scroll to bottom -> Connect Automatically

 

[Astoria]

You should add log clearing when going in OFW with hekate

It's been proven that doesn't work. Lots of people who cleared logs got banned.

 

[Spy Pirate Shado]

How about use clear logs function, but then power off completely and boot OFW from power-off without having it being booted first through hekate+clear logs?

I know it's probably not necessary, but you could do this as a check that AutoRCM isn't still installed for some reason after first disabling AutoRCM, clearing logs, and powering off.

Just seems like it might as well be done if you're going for full, 100%, everything is clean as possible territory outside of full NAND restore.

Other things I can think of are keeping anything SXOS related on a separate microSD and keeping hekate/homebrew stuff on a separate microSD. The hekate/homebrew being separate idea isn't exactly easy to make work when you want to do savefile editing, but it's definitely doable with enough effort, lots of extraneous copy/pasting.

Also, if want to update games used with SX OS (obviously not trying to update them is better), booting into OFW to manually update is a noteworthy precaution.

The only problem with all that as a precaution is that anyone claiming they did all that and got banned should still be taken with a healthy dose of salt. It's hilariously easy to make one mistake somewhere down the line which could be the ONE thing that ends up getting you.

 

[shchmue]

there's early evidence in the ban log thread that clearing logs might actually trigger a ban

 

[Spy Pirate Shado]

there's early evidence in the ban log thread that clearing logs might actually trigger a ban

I know it can be considered nit-picky but that evidence is anything but. Accessing eshop while booted in hekate even if you only ever run homebrew is just asking for something undesirable to happen. The action of clearing logs could have nothing to do with it whatsoever and it would still make a lot of sense. That anecdote is more useful as evidence that even homebrew alone could be the culprit.

 

[whostolemywaffle]

So when do i use the Custom dns?

 

[sj33]

So when do i use the Custom dns?

All the time unless you want to play online. And even then, only remove the DNS while in stock firmware.

 

[whostolemywaffle]

All the time unless you want to play online. And even then, only remove the DNS while in stock firmware.

ok thank you

 

[sj33]

Clearing logs is a good idea even if it may not work. I'll add that later.

It doesn't make sense that clearing logs would actually trigger a ban because Nintendo aren't proactively checking everybody's logs. The only time data gets sent their way is when the log gets automatically sent to them.

 

[whostolemywaffle]

wait so if something crashes on cfw and sends report will i most likely be banned?

 

[AlphaSapphire]

wait so if something crashes on cfw and sends report will i most likely be banned?

yes

 

[whostolemywaffle]

to be safe im always gonna use flight mode on cfw while using mods, backups and just being on cfw and then use custom dns when going online to play legit games is this the right move?

 

[HoTsHoTz79]

So I followed the tutorial to update from 4.1 to 5.1 without burning fuses; now that I want to download a demo from eShop, whats the suggested route?

(From what I understand, I should not go into Stock FW if I plan on downgrading back to 4.1)

 

[whostolemywaffle]

Idk if i want to cancel my order for tx os now because of all the bans and bc people JUST using tx os without online are getting banned

 

[RednaxelaNnamtra]

Clearing logs is a good idea even if it may not work. I'll add that later.

It doesn't make sense that clearing logs would actually trigger a ban because Nintendo aren't proactively checking everybody's logs. The only time data gets sent their way is when the log gets automatically sent to them.

Be carefull with clearing the log on 5.x+, looks like additional statistics got added to erpt :

5.0.0 really upped the info in Crash Reports: https://t.co/lp9eRpva59.

Be careful with tools like dreport, too, it looks like erpt maintains statistics about reports saved/uploaded/failed to upload, deleting may cause detectably inconsistent statistics.

— Michael (@SciresM) June 25, 2018

 

[gameboy]

you forgot to add how to update games using only the game icon in ofw

 

[blahblah]

It's really simple.

Only use SX OS. Only use real backups you have made containing your certificate. Do not use any homebrew.

Problem solved.

 

[Chipidy]

Idk if i want to cancel my order for tx os now because of all the bans and bc people JUST using tx os without online are getting banned

Not true at all. You can't be banned if you have NEVER gone online lmao.

Anyways. What I am doing is simple ( and it's working ). I'm using SX OS - . When I want to play a backup I boot into SX OS and play OFFLINE. When I want to play online, access the Eshop ect, I boot into the OFW ( Official Firmware ). Then I connect to the internet ect.

Before booting back into SX OS I DELETE my internet connection settings.

Also, I actually update my backup games in OFW ( Official Firmware only ). How?

Use at your own risk but it has been working for me since SX OS release.

1: This HAS to be done prior to playing the backup game!
2: Boot into SX OS, go into albums ( game launcher on SX OS ) .Click a game to virtually load it onto the cartridge .
3: TURN OFF console and boot into OFW ( Official Firmware )
4: You will see your backup game in the menu when you boot up! Go to internet settings and connect to the internet .
5: Click the + button on your backup game from the home menu and click software update .
6: It will install the update .
7: Nintendo can't tell if the game is pirated/backup because you never actually loaded the game in the first place , you just "virtually" put it in the slot for a second .
8: After the update DISCONNECT from the internet.
9: Reboot into SX OS .
10: You are welcome

 

[thaikhoa]

It might be we're flagged when loading cfw. Who knows? I was on 4.1 and banned myself for so long until today. I'm happy to be banned. Buy another Switch for online's sake.

 

[EmanueleBGN]

It's really simple.

Only use SX OS. Only use real backups you have made containing your certificate. Do not use any homebrew.

Problem solved.

SX OS = ban, if you go online

 

[Chipidy]

SX OS = ban, if you go online

If you go online WHILE in SX OS = ban. Booting in OFW hasn't cause me a ban

 

[blahblah]

SX OS = ban, if you go online

Not true. Have gone online in my backups of owned carts, played online, no problem. Have done it every day since SX OS 1.1.

 

[trOublie]

SX OS = ban, if you go online

based on? source?

Stop making assumptions. There is nothing known yet.

 

[BlastedGuy9905]

All of these steps are so painfully obvious that they shouldn't need saying. However, many people seem to be getting themselves banned by being careless so let's list the possible precautions.

Remember - there is NO 100% surefire way to avoid a ban. All people can do is take every precaution possible.

Internet Settings

1. Set a custom DNS - Go to 'change settings' for your connection. The primary DNS should be 104.236.106.125 and the secondary should be 62.210.147.20. This will block connections to the Nintendo servers.

2. Disable 'Connect Automatically' - This forces you to manually connect and thus you can double check the DNS is set up properly. Again, a precaution.

3. Delete all other networks from your Internet Settings - You can never be too careful. Delete any networks you don't need and properly manage the ones you do.

4. Always use Flight Mode when not playing online - Again, this is a precaution to ensure no mistakes.

Here we have a 4 layer protection to avoid accidently being online unnecessarily and getting a ban. You can still play online, but the point is that these should all be your DEFAULT settings which you then manually disable when you want to play your (LEGIT) Splatoon 2 online. Remember to re-enable all these settings after you are done playing.

General Usage

1. Set up an extra account purely for Homebrew/piracy usage - This may or may not prevent your main account from getting banned and you losing all your digital purchases. Be sensible, don't use your main account when doing things you're not supposed to. Common sense. And don’t link it to the Nintendo store, keep it a purely offline account.

2. STAY OFFLINE when using CFW, SX etc. - Use flight mode and all the above internet settings when using CFW or SX. Will you really get banned for using CFW? Who knows, But you wanna risk it? Be my guest. Again, precautions.

3. Boot into STOCK firmware when playing online or using eShop - You wanna play Splatoon 2? Great! Just don't do it from within CFW or SX. Cover your back. Turn off your console, boot into stock. Is using legit games online in CFW safe? Maybe. But why risk it? Precautions.

4. Never update backup games or go online with them - This doesn't need explaining. Keep all your misadventures offline.

5. If errors occur when using homebrew, clear logs - This can be done by booting Hekate CTCaer, Launch Firmware-> Clear Logs. This prevents homebrew-related errors being sent to Nintendo.

I wanna play Splatoon 2 online! What do I do?! - Reboot into STOCK firmware, disable flight mode, connect to your network manually and set DNS to automatic. Play your legit Splatoon 2 online. But once you are finished, REMEMBER TO SET THE DNS AGAIN AND ENABLE FLIGHT MODE to avoid any mistakes such as accidentally going online when playing a backup game.

Again - there is no 100% way to avoid a ban and not all of these steps may be necessary. It is all about second guessing Nintendo and taking every precaution possible.

This thread has many unnecessary steps, imo this is all you have to do: turn off wifi while in cfw/romfs/whatever, clear logs after a session of cfw/romfs/whatever. Play games online only in OFW. I don't think a dummy account is really needed.

 

[sj33]

And what if a person forgets to enable flight mode?

The purpose of all these precautions is that even if somebody forgets to do one of the steps, there are 3 or 4 other precautions already done just in case. Protection against carelessness.

Dummy accounts are par for course in the PS scene. Don’t think it’s necessary? Feel free to risk it.