Tutorial  Updated

How to install Android 8.1(LineageOS) to your Nintendo Switch

Before following this guide. Please note that you will need to have some prior experience with both Switch Hacking, and Android in order to install this properly. As this guide will assume you already know how to enter RCM mode and push payloads, and do basic recovery mode tasks

Requirements:
  • A hackable Nintendo Switch(Non iPatched Unit) To check if your Nintendo Switch is hackable. Please follow Step 2 on this page
  • A dedicated SD card(16gb minimum)
  • A way to push access RCM mode and push Payloads(Hekate)
These are not my screenshots. These have been taken from the XDA Thread
https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Fmedia%2FD9HtBVIWwAAaQ_Z.jpg%3Alarge

https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Fmedia%2FD9Lf0aJWwAAelCo.jpg%3Alarge
https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Fmedia%2FD9NEUN6W4AEySOS.jpg%3Alarge

Download and install BalenaEtcher to set up your SD card. Click here to download BalenaEtcher

Go to XDA release thread here, and download the image for your SD card size. For example, I am using a 32gb SD Card so I will need to download the 32GB Image. DO NOT EXTRACT THE DOWNLOADED IMAGE!

Open BalenaEtcher, and select the image you just downloaded. Once the image is selected, go ahead and select your SD card if it was not automatically selected. Please double check that the correct drive is selected before clicking "Flash" as this will erase whatever drive is selected. Once you have confirmed that the correct drive is selected click "Flash"

k0vgWsA.png


Once you click flash you will need to wait upwards to an hour and a half for the image to flash and validate. If this process takes longer than an hour something may have gone wrong. Please start from step 1 and try again. Sometimes changing SD cards will help. You may also have a window pop up asking to format one of your disks. Just close out of these windows.

Once the flash is complete navigate to this XDA release thread again and download the "shield-ifier" zip file and place this zip file on the first partition of the now flashed SD card. For me, this was located at "F:/"

Next, you will need to Download GApps for Android 8.1, with Arm64 from here. Once this file is downloaded. Place this on your SD Cards first partition right alongside your "Sheild-ifier" zip file. Like I did below. Once again for me, this directory was "F:/"

Now close this spoiler and move onto Section 2!

Requirements:
Learn how to access and use RCM Mode. To learn about RCM mode, how to access it please check out this page here.
Hekate Payload
A way to push the hekate payload. To learn how to go about this, please check out this page

Now that the most difficult part of the process is complete, we can now learn how to both boot into our new Android installation, but what we need to do to set it up before it will work properly!

If you have not already, please take your SD card out of your PC and insert it into your Nintendo Switch. From here you will now need to access RCM mode and push the Hekate payload.

Once Hekate launches on your Nintendo Switch. Select Launch by scrolling with the volume buttons, and selecting it by pressing the power button. Then scroll and select "More Configs..."

Before you scroll and select "Switchroot Android" on this screen, get ready to hold your "volume up" button as you will need to press and hold this, the same time that you select "Switchroot Android" Once you're ready. Do this and wait until you see the TWRP menu. Once you see this you can let go of "volume up" Please note, that if you do not enter this TWRP menu first. You may need to reset up your SD Card as GAPPs need to be installed prior to first boot since this is a Beta release. Otherwise, you may not be able to complete the setup.

Once in TWRP you will receive a message asking you to allow TWRP to keep the system as read only or not. Swipe right to allow TWRP to make it's modifications

From here select Mount by touching it on the touchscreen, and check the checkbox next too "system" it may take a few seconds for any paritions to appear. Once the box is selected tap the back button. If this step is not done you will be unable to install Open GAPPS

Now select install, and navigate up a lever in the folder selection on the page, then scroll down and select "external_SD"

From here you will see your two ZIP files from the previous selection. Please select these zip files one at a time starting with "open_gapps" and install each of them. If the system asks you to swipe prior to installation. Go ahead and do so. You will also be asked to wipe the cache/dalvik after installation. Again go ahead and do so. Once complete you can go ahead and click the back button to both leave the installation screen for the next step. Or install the "shield-ify" zip if you choose to use it.


Once you go back to the main menu, you may be asked to install TWRP. If you are asked to do so, go ahead and install it, and wipe the cache/dalvik. Otherwise, go ahead and reboot your system into Hekate and select "Switchroot Android" like before. However this time you will not need to hold "Volume-up" unless you want to access the TWRP menu again. If you're not asked to install TWRP you will need to do so manually if you want root access on your device. Otherwise go back to the Main Menu, select reboot, and tap the "Power off button"

Now enter RCM mode and boot into Hekate again

Once in Hekate, navigate too "Switchroot Android" again and select it without holding "Volume up". Once this is complete, you will begin to boot into LineageOS. Because this is your first boot it may take upwards to 10min for it to boot completely and allow you to set up the android system. Reboots after this initial setup will be faster.

Once booted and setup, you should now have a fully functional Android Tablet! You can now go ahead and set up any emulators or apps as you would normally on a normal Android device. You may even update and use the Nvidia app for in-home streaming if you installed the "Shield-ifier" zip file!

First, download the latest stable build of MAGISK from their XDA Thread here

Then transfer the magisk zip file, too the first partition of your SD Card. For me, this was "F:/"

Insert the SD card back into your Switch, and boot into the TWRP recovery menu by holding "Volume up" while Android is booting

Now mount your system partition as you've done before, navigate to the install menu and install your MAGISK zip file. Much like you did with the GApps zip file when you installed Android. If asked to wipe the cache/dalvik go ahead and do so.

Once MAGISK is installed, boot into Android like normal and download the Magisk Manager APK found here using your internet browser of choice and install it from Android. You may need to enable Unkown sources from within your Device settings before you can install this.

Once this APK has been installed go ahead and open your newly installed Magisk Manager app to verify that you have successfully obtained root access. If you see 4 green checkmarks than that means you've successfully rooted your device!

  • LineageOS 15.1 - Android 8.1 Oreo
  • Based on the Nvidia Shield TV trees
  • TWRP pre-installed
  • CPU and GPU performance profiles
  • Works in handheld and docked mode
  • Audio is supported
  • Joycons connect via Bluetooth, also in handheld mode
Known bugs:
  • Deep sleep, so battery life is not great
  • Auto rotation as we haven't figured out how to talk to the sensor yet
  • Screen off in dock
  • Charging is not detected, but console still charges
  • Some apps don't handle joycon inputs correctly
  • The touchscreen sometimes detects touches even when your finger is just floating over the screen
  • There is a system process ANR on boot. Just click „Wait“ and it won’t happen again until next boot
  • Screenshots do not work
  • WiFi may randomly stop working. If this happens just reboot
  • If TV looks odd and grainy when docking then redock a few times.
  • No TV keyboard that can be used with gamepad
  • SELinux is disabled
  • You can’t access the FAT32 partition of the SD card on macOS. Windows and Linux works.

Credits for part of this FAQ goes to the original XDA thread about this release. As I ammended the end of it with new questions moving forward.

Q: How to switch performance profiles?
A: Go to Settings -> Battery -> Power Profiles. The options are Balanced = 1 GHz CPU / 468 MHz GPU, Quick = 1.4 GHz CPU / 768 MHz GPU and Performance = 1.7 GHz CPU / 920 MHz GPU. Keep in mind that the high-performance profiles use MUCH more battery.

Q: How will updates be done?
A: For updates, flashable zips will be released.

Q: Can we use TV mode?
A: Use HAL launcher from the Play Store to run apps in TV mode.

Q: Nvidia GameStream doesn’t perform well, what to do?
A: Try using Moonlight instead.

Q: Does Magisk work?
A: Yes, just flash it in TWRP

Q: I get an error about „invalid architecture“ when trying to flash GApps
A: Make sure you mounted System in TWRP

Q: Does this work on any Switch?
A: You will need to be able to boot into hekate. If you can do that, your Switch is compatible.

Q: I get a blank notification window saying "Process system isn't responding" that looks like this
YekiGOt.png

A: This is normal, tap the "wait" button

Q: Does the "Pro controller" or other bluetooth controllers work?
A: Yes they do, simply open the bluetooth settings and connect them like any other bluetooth device!

Of course, if there is anything that I should elaborate on, or if you have any questions/concerns in regards to this process. Please do not hesitate to ask or reach out.
 
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konamicode89

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I have been out of the loop for quite some time, but aside from the progress on android Oreo has there been any progress on Android pie yet?
 

RHOPKINS13

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I have been out of the loop for quite some time, but aside from the progress on android Oreo has there been any progress on Android pie yet?


No eta, but definitely on it's way.
 
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cracker

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I'm guessing you meant 8192KB. 8GB isn't much user space at all. If you are going to dedicate a 400GB mSD to Android then why not fill it all the way up?
 

DreIceAge

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For the past couple of weeks I've been reinstalling Android several times because when I mess up with other stuff like Atmosphere I just straight up wipe my card and start from scratch. I normally use the 16gb version of LineageOS. Yesterday I used a 32gb version and made my Android user partition to be 50gb. After it was all said and done, I did not get the Google apps close or wait error that happens once after you start up. How come? Is it because I used the 32gb one instead? Anyone else ever solve that problem?
 

cracker

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The Google Apps error happens even on Android devices. It is a common occurance with custom roms. Most of the time, reinstalling (the right version of) gapps will fix it. Other times, clearing the cache will.
 

LoneFlo

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I got the error "Wrong architecture to set up Open Gapps". I used ARM64-8.1-nano vversion, so I don't understand what could be wrong. :huh:

EDIT: Finally worked after wiping dalvik cache multiple times.
 
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konamicode89

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Having successfully installed android via etcher, rebooting to hekate to finish initial setup and installing apps from playstore to test out, I have yet to understand the differences in opengapps, I've read that it makes no difference at all but the guide says to use nano and this thread makes mention of pico.

Other than rooting with magisk, installing the optional fixes, and to replace the outdated bootloader folder (hekate 5.0) that the image comes with.. does this roughly conclude a complete enough android setup on the switch before moving forward to experiment with the apps?

Also with a pie release coming soon any thoughts on the possibility of switchroot releasing a pie update.img for those who already have oreo installed?
 
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RHOPKINS13

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I have yet to understand the differences in opengapps
It's largely a matter of preference, and determines which "pre-installed" Google Apps you get. A full comparison between variations is available here: https://github.com/opengapps/opengapps/wiki/Package-Comparison

any thoughts on the possibility of switchroot releasing a pie update.img for those who already have oreo installed?
It's hard to say at this point. With the current version installed you're already able to boot into TWRP, I think it's possible for them to release a .zip you could flash that way. But I think it's easier for them to just release an etcher image, which would overwrite everything else on the card. You could probably ask them on their Discord though.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

You can also try building Android Pie yourself with the instructions here: http://fshy.de/BuildPieForSwitch

Very beta, don't expect support for it. Requires lots of disk space and RAM to build.
 
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MrRidges

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When I go to boot into twrp I just get a black screen, I am using Hekate 5.0.1 and I don't know what I've done wrong. Followed modded warfare's tutorial to a T. Please help

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Can't get into twrp just get a black screen. Used the image above for a 32gb card. And I used Hekate 5.0.1 and I followed modded warfare's tutorial to a T. Please send help
 

konamicode89

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When I go to boot into twrp I just get a black screen, I am using Hekate 5.0.1 and I don't know what I've done wrong. Followed modded warfare's tutorial to a T. Please help

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Can't get into twrp just get a black screen. Used the image above for a 32gb card. And I used Hekate 5.0.1 and I followed modded warfare's tutorial to a T. Please send help

If I remember correctly I think the initial setup is with hekate 5.0, although this won't matter after intial setup. also did you hold down vol + (could be vol -) when you boot up switchdroid from hekate? remember you're booting to recovery mode first and installing the necessities before then rebooting to switchdroid normally.sometimes it won't boot up properly the first try and does take a few minutes. if it freezes hold power for 15 seconds reboot hekate and try again. still a no go? reflash android image with etcher to a different sd.

personally I had no issues flashing to my sd with etcher and booting twrp while holding down vol button and flashing pico gapps reboot2payload joycon fixes and magisk before actually booting to android. I hope it helps! lmk if you need more help
 
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MrRidges

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If I remember correctly I think the initial setup is with hekate 5.0, although this won't matter after intial setup. also did you hold down vol + (could be vol -) when you boot up switchdroid from hekate? sometimes it won't boot up properly the first try and does take a few minutes. if it freezes hold power for 15 seconds reboot hekate and try again. still a no go? reflash android image with etcher to a different sd.

personally I had no issues flashing to my sd with etcher and booting twrp while holding down vol button and flashing pico gapps reboot2payload joycon fixes and magisk before actually booting to android. I hope it helps! lmk if you need more help
Thanks will give it a go
 

konamicode89

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It's largely a matter of preference, and determines which "pre-installed" Google Apps you get. A full comparison between variations is available here: https://github.com/opengapps/opengapps/wiki/Package-Comparison


It's hard to say at this point. With the current version installed you're already able to boot into TWRP, I think it's possible for them to release a .zip you could flash that way. But I think it's easier for them to just release an etcher image, which would overwrite everything else on the card. You could probably ask them on their Discord though.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

You can also try building Android Pie yourself with the instructions here: http://fshy.de/BuildPieForSwitch

Very beta, don't expect support for it. Requires lots of disk space and RAM to build.

I'm happy to say that I managed to get my all in one SD setup put together, I'm going to definitely give this pie beta image a look.
BTW I'm planning on writing a guide for the multiboot method, but because it's a simplified version of everything that I've gathered and this being my first guide. to whom must I contact for permissions and crediting?

edit: a 20-30gb repo that blows up to around 150 that a 8gb swap is too slow to build? but needs a 8gb sd card to flash this all on to? you weren't kidding when you said it was best to wait but this is will be something fun to look into in the meantime
 
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RHOPKINS13

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BTW I'm planning on writing a guide for the multiboot method, but because it's a simplified version of everything that I've gathered and this being my first guide. to whom must I contact for permissions and crediting?

Everything is open source and public knowledge. I don't really think you need to ask anybody for permission, but at the bottom of the guide I would leave two sections, a References section and a Thanks section. In References I would add all of the links that I've sent you, along with other places you went for help. And then in the Thanks section put anybody that helped you from here, anybody that authored the posts that you found very helpful, along with any developers that worked on the software you used.
 

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