WE'RE CLOSED AGAIN, GO TO REINX.GUIDE​

ReiNX: It just works.​

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So, you want to install ReiNX?​

Good, you probably should. Now that it has working sigpatches, ReiNX is the most effective free CFW on the market right now! But you're gonna need to get into the thing, so that's where this helpful guide comes into play. You'll need a few things before we get started:

If you brick your Switch somehow- which would be impressive, honestly- I'm not responsible for that. If you follow these instructions to the letter, you'll have a working and more importantly sexy custom firmware on your system that will suit all your legal needs!
Installing NSP files is going to get you banned. This is only for people who are indifferent about being banned or have been banned already. You were warned.

Spoiler: Hardware

• A Nintendo Switch console
• An SD Card that's been formatted to be used by your Nintendo Switch
• A USB C to USB A cable
• Some way to get into RCM mode, please consult this comprehensive list of ways to enter RCM mode.
• The sheer willpower and hype to take your console to the next stratosphere!

Now that you have all the hardware, you'll need some software, too.
There's a file called Darth Meteos' Super Special SD Stash v5.0.zip, that has sigpatches in it to allow you to run NSP backups. Please grab it here. The zip file has everything you need for the installation ahead. It also contains the following homebrew:​

• Tinfoil (to install NSP files)
• Retroarch (all the best emulators)
• FTPD (for moving files between your PC and your Switch)
• NX-Shell (a basic file manager)
• EdiZon (for backing up/restoring/editing savegames)
• The Homebrew App-Store (for getting even more homebrew)

The zip file will also contain a bin payload to boot the CFW. However, if you've never connected your Switch to a computer, you'll need to do a couple of things first, to get the drivers playing fair. This guide is assuming that you've already done that, but if you're brand new to the scene- welcome, by the way- you'll need to do some one-time setup.​

Spoiler: First-Time Installation

You'll need these things:

• TegraRCMSmash GUI with the original TegraRCMSmash by @rajkosto and GUI additions done by @eliboa. Download the portable zip file from the latest release
• Zadig USB driver installer
• This test payload to try it out!

1. Once you've got those, connect your Switch in RCM mode to your computer. Windows will recognize an APX device. This is good!
2. Run Zadig with admin privileges. On the dropdown menu, find APX. That's your Switch!
3. Next to a green arrow, there will be a series of driver types that you can cycle through. Choose libusbK (v3.0.7.0), and do it carefully, because this is the most important step.
4. Click the big button. Congratulations, your Switch is now ready to run payloads!
5. Extract the folder from the TegraRcmGUI_vX.X_portable.zip that you downloaded, (with X.X being the version, mine is 2.1) and open TegraRCMGUI.
6. To run payloads, simply click the folder icon and browse to the testpayload.bin and inject the payload. Congratulations on running your first payload!

This only works on Windows, because that's what I have. Mac users, check elsewhere.

Now, for the main installation.

1. Power off your Switch and connect your Switch's SD Card to a computer of your choice.
2. Extract the contents of the zip file you downloaded. There'll be a bin file, an SD Files folder, as well as a little readme with more information. Check the spoilered text for what it should look like:
   Spoiler: Image

   
3. Go into the SD Files folder and drag the contents onto the root of your SD Card. Overwrite everything.
   NOTE: If you don't know your firmware, you can find it in the system settings menu. The latest (as of this writing) is 5.1.0.
4. If your card was empty except for the Nintendo folder beforehand, you should have a layout like the one in the spoiler:
   Spoiler: Image

   
5. Now that the SD Card is set up, please return it to your Nintendo Switch and enter into RCM mode through the method of your choice.
6. Using TegraRCMGUI, inject the ReiNX.bin Payload from the Stash package to get into your Switch.
7. After the splash screen vanishes and you see the Nintendo Switch logo, you can disconnect the Switch from your computer. You're in!

Accessing the homebrew menu is easy, just open the album! Inside will be the Tinfoil NSP installer and the Homebrew App Store, which in turn has basically everything you could ever want. Keep an eye on the 'Temp, though, for future updates~

When inside the homebrew menu, you can use Tinfoil to install nsp files, by placing them into the /tinfoil/nsp/ folder on your SD Card. All homebrew goes into the /switch/ folder.
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IF YOU NEED NOGC, PLEASE MAKE A FILE CALLED NOGC IN THE REINX FOLDER
READ THE FUCKIN' F.A.Q BEFORE POSTING, IF YOUR QUESTION IS ANSWERED IN THE F.A.Q, IT WILL NOT BE ANSWERED OUTSIDE OF A SNIDE REMARK, POSSIBLY

Thank you so much for making the choice to use ReiNX!
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[Khim09]

Hello, I am on 5.1.0 but I cannot use exFat, it nags me to update software to use exFat. Is it normal? I wanted to update to 6.0 to start installing cfw. But what is this LayeredFS that is not supported yet? is it important on cfw? Thanks.

 

[DaminouTav]

Hello, I am on 5.1.0 but I cannot use exFat, it nags me to update software to use exFat. Is it normal? I wanted to update to 6.0 to start installing cfw. But what is this LayeredFS that is not supported yet? is it important on cfw? Thanks.

Yep that's normal. Don't know why but exfat is not included into Nintendo's firmware, so you have to download a small update, firmware independent. Don't worry 6.0 is not released yet

 

[Khim09]

Yep that's normal. Don't know why but exfat is not included into Nintendo's firmware, so you have to download a small update, firmware independent. Don't worry 6.0 is not released yet

I see, so my switch will stay on 5.1.0 if I update software for exFat support?

But this guy updated to 6.0. I am confused

I guess I've got a problem.

I just Update to 6.0 and when I try to inject the ReiNX, it return in that error "Error: Package2 Magic Invalid!"

Any idea?
Thanks!!

EDIT: I tried updating and I am still on 5.1.0. Thanks very much.

 

[DaminouTav]

You're welcome

 

[Draxzelex]

Yep that's normal. Don't know why but exfat is not included into Nintendo's firmware, so you have to download a small update, firmware independent. Don't worry 6.0 is not released yet

Since exFAT is a proprietary format owned by Microsoft, it is theorized Nintendo purposely didn't include exFAT on all consoles to avoid paying extra licensing fees. This is because unless all Switch owners obtain the exFAT update, it'll cost less money to individually provide exFAT support on every Switch that requests it.

 

[afra]

I hacked 8 Switch devices for my friends and had had been through testing so I have some concrete evidence that in some point devices freezes while playing . this is what I did dig into :
1 - when one try to open and play and close lot of games in one day one after another chances of freeze go higher ( I testet with 3 separate ppl and I can tell this will cause freeze indeed !)
2- If one play one game and don't close/re-open that one game , chance of freezing reduces a lot

I wanna ask OP if you aware of this ? if you wanna concrete proof download and play Raging Justice game and you will encounter freeze at most in one day of playing .

Version 5 still freezing in Raging justice but should test in other games aswell .

 

[shchmue]

I hacked 8 Switch devices for my friends and had had been through testing so I have some concrete evidence that in some point devices freezes while playing . this is what I did dig into :
1 - when one try to open and play and close lot of games in one day one after another chances of freeze go higher ( I testet with 3 separate ppl and I can tell this will cause freeze indeed !)
2- If one play one game and don't close/re-open that one game , chance of freezing reduces a lot

I wanna ask OP if you aware of this ? if you wanna concrete proof download and play Raging Justice game and you will encounter freeze at most in one day of playing .

Version 5 still freezing in Raging justice but should test in other games aswell .

It Is Known
https://github.com/Reisyukaku/ReiNX/issues/38

 

[Djinnvsl]

Hello. I've have a problem.

Followed this guide.
When injecting the payload, it showed the reinx image and then, the screen flashed for a second and turn black.

Now I cant turn if on again. I've tried re injecting the payload. The same happens...

After a few injects, the program atrted crashing while injecting. After that, I could't enter RCM mode.

Like 10 minutes ago, while trying everithing, my switch turned on without doing anything, so I formated the SD card, entered RCM mode and injected neinx again. Same result: I CAN'T TURN ON MY SWITCH

Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Draxzelex]

Hello. I've have a problem.

Followed this guide.
When injecting the payload, it showed the reinx image and then, the screen flashed for a second and turn black.

Now I cant turn if on again. I've tried re injecting the payload. The same happens...

After a few injects, the program atrted crashing while injecting. After that, I could't enter RCM mode.

Like 10 minutes ago, while trying everithing, my switch turned on without doing anything, so I formated the SD card, entered RCM mode and injected neinx again. Same result: I CAN'T TURN ON MY SWITCH

Any suggestions? Thanks.

This guide is outdated, use the one found in this thread instead. Also, I suspect you are using an exFAT formatted SD card on your console which lacks exFAT support out of the box.

 

[Djinnvsl]

thanks. I'll read that hread.
my SD is Fat32 and my firmware 4.1.0

 

[Draxzelex]

thanks. I'll read that hread.
my SD is Fat32 and my firmware 4.1.0

When did you buy your Switch? It's possible it is patched.

 

[Djinnvsl]

When did you buy your Switch? It's possible it is patched.

Like 1 month after released. I don't think it's patched. (XAJ700001...)

Now, windows in not recognizing my console and can't enter rcm mode or turn it on :'(

It was showing 100% battery but i'll leave it charging over the night and try again tomorrow.

Edit: hard reseting the console makes it turn on and windows recognize it again
But still same results....



EDIT: I GAVE UP AND UPDATED TO 5.1.0 AND NOW IT IS WORKING!

 

[Khim09]

Like 1 month after released. I don't think it's patched. (XAJ700001...)

Now, windows in not recognizing my console and can't enter rcm mode or turn it on :'(

It was showing 100% battery but i'll leave it charging over the night and try again tomorrow.

Edit: hard reseting the console makes it turn on and windows recognize it again
But still same results....

Hello, I experienced that when I used exFat sdcard without installing the driver on my switch.. try using FAT32 for now and see if that will do.

 

[Djinnvsl]

Hello, I experienced that when I used exFat sdcard without installing the driver on my switch.. try using FAT32 for now and see if that will do.

It was on fat32 but I formated it in exFat and then updated my switch to 5.1.0 and now it's working... I hope there is no disadventages for updating from 4.1.0 to 5.1.0

 

[Khim09]

It was on fat32 but I formated it in exFat and then updated my switch to 5.1.0 and now it's working... I hope there is no disadventages for updating from 4.1.0 to 5.1.0

Welp, no issues or any disadvantages I am experiencing so far.

 

[joesixpack]

Complete noob here. I am just trying to read up on everything to make sure I understand what my steps should be.

I have a virgin 4.1 Switch. I checked to make sure it's not patched, but it is otherwise completely stock.

Anyway, I just discovered reinx.guide . Super clear and helpful, so I am almost certainly going to follow it. However, I am concerned about 1 thing. The guide seems to recommend updating to 5.1, then downloading exFat support automatically by inserting a exFat SD card. I definitely want exFat support.

Is updating to 5.1 the right thing? I always thought I should want to keep my firmware version as low as possible, and I remember reading somewhere that I should keep my switch on 4.1 or below, but that was an old recommendation.

Thanks!

 

[Draxzelex]

Complete noob here. I am just trying to read up on everything to make sure I understand what my steps should be.

I have a virgin 4.1 Switch. I checked to make sure it's not patched, but it is otherwise completely stock.

Anyway, I just discovered reinx.guide . Super clear and helpful, so I am almost certainly going to follow it. However, I am concerned about 1 thing. The guide seems to recommend updating to 5.1, then downloading exFat support automatically by inserting a exFat SD card. I definitely want exFat support.

Is updating to 5.1 the right thing? I always thought I should want to keep my firmware version as low as possible, and I remember reading somewhere that I should keep my switch on 4.1 or below, but that was an old recommendation.

Thanks!

You can get exfat on any firmware using ChoiDujourNX (except 1.0)

 

[joesixpack]

You can get exfat on any firmware using ChoiDujourNX (except 1.0)

I've been reading the gbatemp ChoiDujourNX thread, but I thought the combination of ChoiDujourNX and ReiNX is not supported. Also, earlier in this thread, there are posts about ReiNX not supporting manual installation of the exFat driver. Is that old news and everything is playing nice now?

Is there a more detailed guide of how to install exFat with ChoiDujourNX? The instructions in the ChoiDujourNX release thread are somewhat skimpy.

 

[Draxzelex]

I've been reading the gbatemp ChoiDujourNX thread, but I thought the combination of ChoiDujourNX and ReiNX is not supported. Also, earlier in this thread, there are posts about ReiNX not supporting manual installation of the exFat driver. Is that old news and everything is playing nice now?

Is there a more detailed guide of how to install exFat with ChoiDujourNX? The instructions in the ChoiDujourNX release thread are somewhat skimpy.

Yes, ReiNX now supports the usage of ChoiDujourNX. That information of not being compatible is now outdated. I myself used ChoiDujourNX to get exFAT on 4.1 and can confirm it is working fine.

 

[alucard_xs]

can we update nsp files with REiNX ?
I've got update nsp files so I'm wondering.