Homebrew WIP nxdumptool - Nintendo Switch Dump Tool

[DarkMatterCore]

Thank you for this awesome homebrew! Does it seem technically feasible that it could ever dump updates from the sysNand while running in an emuMMC?

Sadly, no. PC tools like HACGUI must be used in such case (if you want to avoid running homebrew in your sysMMC).

 

[DarkMatterCore]

Looking for someone with a console on a FW version < 4.0.0 (+ an outdated gamecard ASIC FW). I'm very close to finishing the next version, and I need help with some tests.

 

[DarkMatterCore]

nxdumptool updated to v1.1.8! As usual, go check the changelog in the first post.

Code style improvements, a bunch of bugfixes, configurable output naming schemes, No-Intro dump verification and dumping ExeFS/RomFS data straight to "/atmosphere/contents" (LayeredFS layout) are some of the features you'll be able to find in this update.

Just as always, feedback is deeply appreciated.

 

[8BitWonder]

Not sure this qualifies as an nxdumptool issue since it seemingly only shows up when mixing it with sys-clk, so I figure to post it here rather than github in case others run into it.

I've noticed that sys-clk and nxdumptool don't play nice on my setup for whatever reason.
I've tried both the latest release & latest commit of sys-clk and have recieved a "failed to init pm:dmnt service (0x00000615)" error in both applet and title mode.
- Atmosphere: 0.10.1
- HOS: 9.0.1
- nxdumptool: 1.1.8

Spoiler: Error Screen

Edit: For those wondering how I know it's sys-clk; I removed all of my title folders in atmosphere/contents and added them back one-by-one until I narrowed it down to sys-clk.

 

[DarkMatterCore]

Not sure this qualifies as an nxdumptool issue since it seemingly only shows up when mixing it with sys-clk, so I figure to post it here rather than github in case others run into it.

I've noticed that sys-clk and nxdumptool don't play nice on my setup for whatever reason.
I've tried both the latest release & latest commit of sys-clk and have recieved a "failed to init pm:dmnt service (0x00000615)" error in both applet and title mode.
- Atmosphere: 0.10.1
- HOS: 9.0.1
- nxdumptool: 1.1.8

Spoiler: Error Screen

View attachment 190671

Edit: Also for those wondering how I know it's sys-clk; I removed all of my title folders in atmosphere/contents and added them back one-by-one until I narrowed it down to sys-clk.

That's weird. I also use sys-clk on a regular basis and I haven't been able to reproduce this error. I'm running the the same HOS, AMS and nxdumptool versions (using sys-clk 0.13.0).

According to Switchbrew, the error code means "Max sessions". So the application can't retrieve a handle to the pm:dmnt service because the service has already reached the maximum number of open handles.

It would be worth taking a better look at your current setup.

 

[8BitWonder]

That's weird. I also use sys-clk on a regular basis and I haven't been able to reproduce this error. I'm running the the same HOS, AMS and nxdumptool versions (using sys-clk 0.13.0).

According to Switchbrew, the error code means "Max sessions". So the application can't retrieve a handle to the pm:dmnt service because the service has already reached the maximum number of open handles.

It would be worth taking a better look at your current setup.

It must be something weird with my setup then if it's working for you.

I'll play around with it more later and see what I can find.

 

[MirorB_Sees_All]

Hello. What are the best settings when dumping a game, update, or DLC NSP with nxdumptool if you want to create dumps that you can install on any console you want (even on a console that isn't the original console that you dumped the game on using nxdumptool) in the future? For instance, settings that would allow me to dump a game, update, and some DLCs, hack my cousin's Switch, and install those files on that console (which isn't my own console).

The setting I'm most curious about is "Remove console specific data". I started enabling this for my dumps (I left "Generate ticket-less dump" disabled though), but then I tried testing installing my dumps through Tinfoil and the DLCs all keep giving me the below error in Tinfoil: "This file is a garbage fake file, that may even brick your Switch. Please notify where ever you got this file from that it is garbage and should be deleted." Which is interesting because I got the DLC files just by dumping DLCs that I downloaded through a Shop, and Tinfoil installed the shop's DLCs just fine. So it's like Tinfoil doesn't like something in the nxtooldump settings I use. Which brings me back to my question. I don't want to dump a bunch of games, updates, and DLC only for them to not work when trying to install them in the future using installers like Tinfoil.

Interesting note though: Goldleaf installed without issue those same DLCs that Tinfoil complained about and refused to install.

 

[DarkMatterCore]

Hello. What are the best settings when dumping a game, update, or DLC NSP with nxdumptool if you want to create dumps that you can install on any console you want (even on a console that isn't the original console that you dumped the game on using nxdumptool) in the future? For instance, settings that would allow me to dump a game, update, and some DLCs, hack my cousin's Switch, and install those files on that console (which isn't my own console).

The setting I'm most curious about is "Remove console specific data". I started enabling this for my dumps (I left "Generate ticket-less dump" disabled though), but then I tried testing installing my dumps through Tinfoil and the DLCs all keep giving me the below error in Tinfoil: "This file is a garbage fake file, that may even brick your Switch. Please notify where ever you got this file from that it is garbage and should be deleted." Which is interesting because I got the DLC files just by dumping DLCs that I downloaded through a Shop, and Tinfoil installed the shop's DLCs just fine. So it's like Tinfoil doesn't like something in the nxtooldump settings I use. Which brings me back to my question. I don't want to dump a bunch of games, updates, and DLC only for them to not work when trying to install them in the future using installers like Tinfoil.

Interesting note though: Goldleaf installed without issue those same DLCs that Tinfoil complained about and refused to install.

If you only enabled the "Remove console specific data" option, then only the tickets from the output dumps were modified. This is enough to install dumps to other consoles.

No NCAs are altered in any way unless you enable the "Generate ticket-less dump" option. You can verify this by checking each NCA using hactool and the "-y" option - the RSA signatures should be good.

I don't know why Tinfoil shows that error message. Personally, I always use Goldleaf.

 

[MirorB_Sees_All]

If you only enabled the "Remove console specific data" option, then only the tickets from the output dumps were modified. This is enough to install dumps to other consoles.

No NCAs are altered in any way unless you enable the "Generate ticket-less dump" option. You can verify this by checking each NCA using hactool and the "-y" option - the RSA signatures should be good.

I don't know why Tinfoil shows that error message. Personally, I always use Goldleaf.

So then, If I were to choose *not* to remove console specific data, that would cause the dumps to not work on any other consoles and the dumps would only work on just my console, right?

 

[DarkMatterCore]

So then, If I were to choose *not* to remove console specific data, that would cause the dumps to not work on any other consoles and the dumps would only work on just my console, right?

Exactly. Be aware that FS/ES patches will be needed anyway.

 

[MirorB_Sees_All]

Exactly.

Thank you so much! You're awesome. Time to update my Switch Hacking notes lol.

 

[DarkMatterCore]

Thank you so much! You're awesome. Time to update my Switch Hacking notes lol.

Glad to help, mate.

Actually, people that use this application are the awesome ones. I'd have dropped this project a long time ago if it wasn't for you lot.

 

[John2022]

Wow such a soft. Thanks DarkMC.

Btw, I had a simple question (because of I'm really dumb at all the top technical stuff; FS/ES, RSA key, certificate etc)
I want to dump my Pokemon Let's GO Eevee cartridge to a NSP in order to install and play it on the SD card (FAT32). The fact is I'm looking a way to play with base version. Since I install update, it's impossible to launch the cartdridge without connecting to the internet (to make a update I guess). So, one advice me to use nxdumptool and try with the dumped version of my cartdridge. I just don't know which option to set in HSF0, ExeFS & RomFS options. Same with "Change NDPM RSA key/sig in Program NCA" in NSP Dump.
I don't plan to share the dump; I ever do 2 dump (with and without Change NDPM RSA....." option, installed them with Goldleaf, ignoring or not firmware version but It keep pushing me to connect the switch to the internet.

How can I do a perfect (or near perfect) NSP with my cartdridge please?

 

[DarkMatterCore]

Wow such a soft. Thanks DarkMC.

Btw, I had a simple question (because of I'm really dumb at all the top technical stuff; FS/ES, RSA key, certificate etc)
I want to dump my Pokemon Let's GO Eevee cartridge to a NSP in order to install and play it on the SD card (FAT32). The fact is I'm looking a way to play with base version. Since I install update, it's impossible to launch the cartdridge without connecting to the internet (to make a update I guess). So, one advice me to use nxdumptool and try with the dumped version of my cartdridge. I just don't know which option to set in HSF0, ExeFS & RomFS options. Same with "Change NDPM RSA key/sig in Program NCA" in NSP Dump.
I don't plan to share the dump; I ever do 2 dump (with and without Change NDPM RSA....." option, installed them with Goldleaf, ignoring or not firmware version but It keep pushing me to connect the switch to the internet.

How can I do a perfect (or near perfect) NSP with my cartdridge please?

Well, it's technically not the application's fault - the NSPs you created are as good as they could be. The NPDM key/sig option is only useful if you't have FS ACID patches.

You probably connected your console to the Internet at some point and that's how it knows there's an update available for the game. The nag won't disappear until you install that update.

If you wish to install the NSP dump to an emuMMC, consider downloading the update using your sysMMC and dumping it from there. You should be able to install the update to your emuMMC afterwards.

 

[John2022]

Well, it's technically not the application's fault - the NSPs you created are as good as they could be. The NPDM key/sig option is only useful if you't have FS ACID patches.

You probably connected your console to the Internet at some point and that's how it knows there's an update available for the game. The nag won't disappear until you install that update.

If you wish to install the NSP dump to an emuMMC, consider downloading the update using your sysMMC and dumping it from there. You should be able to install the update to your emuMMC afterwards.

Oh, I didn't point the soft as faulty, just really complete. I was only sad to don't understand all options that it give us.
So I can't solve my problem with your tool, I had to install the update. The fact is I want to rollback to a previous version, like on 3DS. I ever install the update in september (v1.0.2). There's really no way to make the switch forgot this update existence?

 

[DarkMatterCore]

Oh, I didn't point the soft as faulty, just really complete. I was only sad to don't understand all options that it give us.
So I can't solve my problem with your tool, I had to install the update. The fact is I want to rollback to a previous version, like on 3DS. I ever install the update in september (v1.0.2). There's really no way to make the switch forgot this update existence?

I plan to add a wiki to the GitHub repository soon. So don't worry.

Maybe it's possible, but it probably requires additional modifications to some eMMC partitions. I don't know if there's a tool to specifically remove game update nags, though.

 

[John2022]

I plan to add a wiki to the GitHub repository soon. So don't worry.

Maybe it's possible, but it probably requires additional modifications to some eMMC partitions. I don't know if there's a tool to specifically remove game update nags, though.

That's what I plan to end this conversation; speaking of a good comprehensive wiki. I really want to know for what all these options are for. For exemple, I export the certificate of the cartridge, but don't know what to do with it. XCI Explorer doesn't activate button about certif. . There some exefs files in atmosphere contents folder, but don't know what's the purpose.
I'm just a advanced user, not a programmer.
Thanks for your help and your tool. It's always a pleasure to do things that work like dark mages do.

Where to and who ask to modify the eMMC of the switch? There's some soft on 3DS if I remember well.

 

[AkiraKurusu]

How do you dump a game update?

Fire Emblem: Three Houses recently got a 1.2.0 update, but I'm still on 1.1.1 due to having working cheats, save editor, and No Outline patch; how do I dump the 1.1.1 update so I can test 1.2.0, then delete 1.2.0 and go back to 1.1.1 if I'm unsatisfied with the update?

 

[DarkMatterCore]

How do you dump a game update?

Fire Emblem: Three Houses recently got a 1.2.0 update, but I'm still on 1.1.1 due to having working cheats, save editor, and No Outline patch; how do I dump the 1.1.1 update so I can test 1.2.0, then delete 1.2.0 and go back to 1.1.1 if I'm unsatisfied with the update?

That depends on the storage medium where the game is stored.

If you're using a gamecard, you'll be able to find the update under the orphan content section in the SD/eMMC submenu (press Y while you're on it).

If the game is installed to either the SD card or the eMMC, just select the game from the SD/eMMC submenu. You'll be able to dump the update from the NSP submenu.

 

[Reecey]

Glad to help, mate.

Actually, people that use this application are the awesome ones. I'd have dropped this project a long time ago if it wasn't for you lot.

Just a heads up for you. I’ve been using this tool over sxdumper right from the beginning and I know a lot of people that do prefer nxdumptool over sx dumper and use it! Keep at it mate your doing a fantastic job!!