Hacking SWITCH NOOB PARADISE - Ask questions here

[Draxzelex]

looking to update firmware with daybreak but not sure best way due to some guide miscommunication , some say dump console keys first and others vids just straight update. any advice would be great

Looking for the "best" way will lead you to countless opinions because best is a subjective term. All you need to to update with Daybreak is to get the firmware files and load them with the homebrew application. Everything else is optional such as dumping keys because they do not help or improve the firmware updating process itself. A few reasons they may recommend dumping keys is because some people never dumped them or the fact that new masterkeys are added every major firmware version.

Checked serial, no response on screen from RCM test and worked through the caffeine process and was greeted by the supernag. So yep I guess modchip it is. What's the best modchip and are they easy to install, dare I ask! Also what kind of functionality do they provide. Thx

There is only one modchip which is the SX modchip and these require soldering so unless you know how to solder, it is definitely not easy to install in the slightest. I highly recommend just buying an unpatched unit as CFW is leagues easier to setup with that and the exploit is guaranteed to work forever on those consoles.

If I want to switch from Kosmos to Atmosphere (using fusee-primary), what do I need to delete from my SD card?

Even if the package 'Kosmos' is dead, its necessary individual components are not and can easily be updated by grabbing the latest Hekate & Atmosphere.

 

[WayOfTheRoad]

There isn't even any known exploits for patched consoles past firmware 7.1. It would be even harder to find an exploit for Switch Lites as those use an upgraded chip so the chances of an exploit working on Erista units also working on Mariko units is very slim. In my opinion, its not worth getting a Lite at all since its harder to hack and has less features than the original Switch model. You should get an unpatched unit as not only will it be guaranteed hackable until the end of time but also has more features than the Lite.

Thanks a ton for the reply as I know I put a lot to reply to.

I'm a bit confused though, there is a modchip for the Lite (SXCore Lite), correct? Also, I already have the Lite and don't really see myself getting a regular Switch anytime soon. I'm looking to mod my Lite because I use it so infrequently that I just want to justify having it (and I enjoy exploiting consoles).

If I am correct in there being a working modchip for the Lite, would you still recommend that it isn't worth the effort? Thanks again for taking the time to reply!

 

[wolf69]

Hi guys

Just need a confirmation, regarding the first model of switch, can i always update the firmware of my OFW without being worried that it would disable the SXOS boot with jig?
From my memory it was a hardware vulnerability so that’s why they release the mariko version right?

 

[GuyInDogSuit]

Hi guys

Just need a confirmation, regarding the first model of switch, can i always update the firmware of my OFW without being worried that it would disable the SXOS boot with jig?
From my memory it was a hardware vulnerability so that’s why they release the mariko version right?

Correct. That's the gist of it. The only caveat with updates being that they can disable homebrew but that's always fixed with an update of Atmosphere.

 

[Lacius]

Hi guys

Just need a confirmation, regarding the first model of switch, can i always update the firmware of my OFW without being worried that it would disable the SXOS boot with jig?
From my memory it was a hardware vulnerability so that’s why they release the mariko version right?

Always check that your CFW has been updated to support the latest Switch system version before updating.

 

[GuyInDogSuit]

Hi guys

Just need a confirmation, regarding the first model of switch, can i always update the firmware of my OFW without being worried that it would disable the SXOS boot with jig?
From my memory it was a hardware vulnerability so that’s why they release the mariko version right?

Basically, what @Lacius said. It was the same with the 3DS. Whenever the OFW as updated, it was always advised to wait til the CFW was, too. Applies to the Switch, as well. Sometimes homebrew applications needed to be updated to work as well, but only in rare cases where major changes were made.

 

[wolf69]

Understood it’s rather more a question of compatibility rather than blocking the launch of the CFW

Thanks for the info.

 

[Draxzelex]

Thanks a ton for the reply as I know I put a lot to reply to.

I'm a bit confused though, there is a modchip for the Lite (SXCore Lite), correct? Also, I already have the Lite and don't really see myself getting a regular Switch anytime soon. I'm looking to mod my Lite because I use it so infrequently that I just want to justify having it (and I enjoy exploiting consoles).

If I am correct in there being a working modchip for the Lite, would you still recommend that it isn't worth the effort? Thanks again for taking the time to reply!

Well I never said there wasn't a modchip for the Lite as I assumed the hardmod you mentioned was the modchip. Hacking the Lite is only worth it if you never plan on getting the original model for reasons stated earlier.

 

[nutsack]

Even if the package 'Kosmos' is dead, its necessary individual components are not and can easily be updated by grabbing the latest Hekate & Atmosphere.

Let's say I just want the simplest cleanest install to play nsps on. I just want Atmosphere plus sigpatches plus Goldleaf and don't care about anything else. No emuNAND, no RetroArch, no save file utilities, no ftp, no overclocking, just Goldleaf to install games and sigpatches to be able to play them. What folders should I delete?

 

[GuyInDogSuit]

Let's say I just want the simplest cleanest install to play nsps on. I just want Atmosphere plus sigpatches plus Goldleaf and don't care about anything else. No emuNAND, no RetroArch, no save file utilities, no ftp, no overclocking, just Goldleaf to install games and sigpatches to be able to play them. What folders should I delete?

Keep the Nintendo, atmosphere, bootloader, sept, and switch folders in your root. You'll also need the fusee-primary.bin, hbmenu.nro, and hekate_ctcaer>x.xx.bin files in the SD card root. Those are just what's needed for basic CFW functionality.

What you need to look for is in the switch folder itself. There are nros and folders in there that you can remove (except Goldleaf, of course).

 

[Justerino]

Hi all, I was reading somewhere that if you moved your cfw save to ofw it's an instant ban. What if I cloud saved a save file on my cfw and loaded it onto an ofw switch that's not hacked. What would happen?

EDIT: it may be worth noting that the games I played were physical carts, not NSPs so would that make the saves any safer?

 

[GuyInDogSuit]

They don't ban for CFW saves, they ban a console for running unsigned code (homebrew). CFW saves aren't much different from "legal" ones. As long as your saves aren't modded, or you don't cheat in online multiplayer with it, I don't really think you have much to worry about.

 

[Draxzelex]

Hi all, I was reading somewhere that if you moved your cfw save to ofw it's an instant ban. What if I cloud saved a save file on my cfw and loaded it onto an ofw switch that's not hacked. What would happen?

EDIT: it may be worth noting that the games I played were physical carts, not NSPs so would that make the saves any safer?

Instant bans are a myth. Bans are handed out randomly, typically in waves, and there hasn't been a banwave for a while but that doesn't mean Nintendo has stopped banning people. There is always a risk of getting banned with a hacked console. I should also mention save files aren't attached to any format of the game. Save files only differ based on the game itself, the region, and very rarely the console itself in the case of Animal Crossing.

 

[Justerino]

Instant bans are a myth. Bans are handed out randomly, typically in waves, and there hasn't been a banwave for a while but that doesn't mean Nintendo has stopped banning people. There is always a risk of getting banned with a hacked console. I should also mention save files aren't attached to any format of the game. Save files only differ based on the game itself, the region, and very rarely the console itself in the case of Animal Crossing.

Has anyone tried to backup their AC file to the new island backup service and then downloaded it on a retail switch? I'd be a guinea pig if needed haha

They don't ban for CFW saves, they ban a console for running unsigned code (homebrew). CFW saves aren't much different from "legal" ones. As long as your saves aren't modded, or you don't cheat in online multiplayer with it, I don't really think you have much to worry about.

Good to know. Guess I'll be safe with my saves (I only cheat single player games and ACNH). Thanks you two!

 

[GuyInDogSuit]

Has anyone tried to backup their AC file to the new island backup service and then downloaded it on a retail switch? I'd be a guinea pig if needed haha



Good to know. Guess I'll be safe with my saves (I only cheat single player games and ACNH). Thanks you two!

Hard to say with something like New Horizons. I've heard about Nintendo doing all kinds of fucky things when it comes to Animal Crossing. Not stuff like deleting saves, but I think more like removing items and whatnot. *shrug* Who knows?

 

[nutsack]

Keep the Nintendo, atmosphere, bootloader, sept, and switch folders in your root. You'll also need the fusee-primary.bin, hbmenu.nro, and hekate_ctcaer>x.xx.bin files in the SD card root. Those are just what's needed for basic CFW functionality.

What you need to look for is in the switch folder itself. There are nros and folders in there that you can remove (except Goldleaf, of course).

Thanks. But if I'm not planning to use hekate any more is there any reason to keep any of the hekate files? I'd like to just go to using fusee-primary instead. Is there anything I should change in the bootloader folder if I don't want hekate any more?

 

[sudeki300]

Looking for the "best" way will lead you to countless opinions because best is a subjective term. All you need to to update with Daybreak is to get the firmware files and load them with the homebrew application. Everything else is optional such as dumping keys because they do not help or improve the firmware updating process itself. A few reasons they may recommend dumping keys is because some people never dumped them or the fact that new masterkeys are added every major firmware version.

thanks for your reply, what i dont get though it;s sysnand that gets updated but what about the emunand, does that get updated also or will a new one have to be made

 

[GuyInDogSuit]

Thanks. But if I'm not planning to use hekate any more (and will instead use fusee-primary) is there any reason to keep any of the hekate files? I'd like to just go to using fusee-primary instead. Is there anything I should change in the bootloader folder if I don't want hekate any more?

Hekate is a nice lil failsafe in the case your Switch somehow gets softbricked. It can restore a NAND/MMC backup in the event that something like that is required. It also can load other payloads and help fix Atmosphere in the event that that doesn't work. It's not recommended that you remove it. Granted, you could re-add it later if it's needed, but it takes so little space that I don't see why you would.

Btw, love the name. Made me chuckle. xD

 

[nutsack]

Hekate is a nice lil failsafe in the case your Switch somehow gets softbricked. It can restore a NAND/MMC backup in the event that something like that is required. It's not recommended that you remove it.

Oh ok, good to know. Maybe I will just stick with using sdsetup then for updating like I did back when Kosmos was still active.

 

[dangopig]

Has anyone tried to backup their AC file to the new island backup service and then downloaded it on a retail switch? I'd be a guinea pig if needed haha



Good to know. Guess I'll be safe with my saves (I only cheat single player games and ACNH). Thanks you two!

I wouldn't say "safe" per se; just a lower risk if you only modify saves. As long as you cfw and go online, you have a chance to be banned, but if you don't care about multiplayer (that's probably most people because Switch multiplayer sucks) and are aware of the risks, it's all good!