Hacking Atmosphere-NX - Custom Firmware in development by SciresM

hippy dave · Jun 25, 2026

JigoKuu said:
I am very very sorry if I ask this in the wrong topic (let me know if it is OFF topic here and I will figure something out) or if my question is stupid...

I have Picofly chip + Hekate bootloader, Atmosphere CFW on my Switch. I have a certain microSD card, but many of my games do not fit (not enough place on it, haha). Can I prepare another microSD card with the very same settings (just different games on it) and can I simply... swap them depending on which game I want to play? I could buy a bigger microSD card, too, but since I couldn't really use or sell my current ones, I wanted to ask if maybe swapping microSD cards could also work as an option to save money and not to "waste" my microSD cards.

If you have a V1 Switch, you don't want to keep swapping micro SD cards, as there is a design weakness where the card reader board connects to the motherboard, and they regularly break with too much swapping. I know the OLED Switch does NOT have this problem, I'm not sure about Lite or V2.

SamyKn · Jun 30, 2026

is there any guide to install Argos NX? i read that it stops hekate to boot but i can't find any guide for installation.

impeeza · Jun 30, 2026

SamyKn said:
is there any guide to install Argos NX? i read that it stops hekate to boot but i can't find any guide for installation.

No it not «stops» anything to work.

You extract the zip file from releases to the root of your SD card, the archive have this files:

Code:

SDMC:
|   argon-nx.bin
|   ArgonNX-SE_0104449039444000_Mariko.nsp
|   payload.bin
|
+---argon
|   |   background.bmp
|   |   splash.bmp
|   |
|   +---logos
|   |       argon-nx.bmp
|   |       bootlogoLineageOS.bmp
|   |       bootlogoUbuntu.bmp
|   |       cpr.bmp
|   |       default.bmp
|   |       emunsw.bmp
|   |       fusee.bmp
|   |       hekate.bmp
|   |       lakka.bmp
|   |       LineageOS.bmp
|   |       Lockpick.bmp
|   |       Reinx.bmp
|   |       switchboot.bmp
|   |       sxos.bmp
|   |       Tegraexplorer.bmp
|   |       Ubuntu.bmp
|   |
|   +---payloads
|   \---sys
|       |   argon-nx-gui.bin
|       |   color.ini
|       |   hw.ini
|       |   lang.ini
|       |   lp0.bso
|       |   minerva.bso
|       |   res.emunsw
|       |
|       \---logos-gui
|               about.bmp
|               atmosphere.bmp
|               autolaunch.bmp
|               colorconf.bmp
|               confini.bmp
|               emummc1.bmp
|               emummc2.bmp
|               emummc3.bmp
|               emunand1.bmp
|               emunand2.bmp
|               emunand3.bmp
|               fileman.bmp
|               lang.bmp
|               power.bmp
|               rtc.bmp
|               sxos.bmp
|               theme.bmp
|               umssd.bmp
|               update.bmp
|
+---atmosphere
|   \---contents
|       \---010000000000100B
|               exefs.nsp
|
\---switch
    +---.overlays
    |       ArgonRTP.ovl
    |
    \---ArgonRTP
            ArgonRTP.nro

now on the folder SDMC:/argon/payloads you must copy the payloads you want to load from ARGON.

on the file SDMC:/argon/autolaunch.bin YOU PUT THE PAYLOAD you like to be auto chainloaded from Argon

I do recommend to use https://github.com/Storm21CH/ArgonNX-SE/releases

SamyKn · Jul 1, 2026

impeeza said:

No it not «stops» anything to work.

You extract the zip file from releases to the root of your SD card, the archive have this files:

Code:

SDMC:
|   argon-nx.bin
|   ArgonNX-SE_0104449039444000_Mariko.nsp
|   payload.bin
|
+---argon
|   |   background.bmp
|   |   splash.bmp
|   |
|   +---logos
|   |       argon-nx.bmp
|   |       bootlogoLineageOS.bmp
|   |       bootlogoUbuntu.bmp
|   |       cpr.bmp
|   |       default.bmp
|   |       emunsw.bmp
|   |       fusee.bmp
|   |       hekate.bmp
|   |       lakka.bmp
|   |       LineageOS.bmp
|   |       Lockpick.bmp
|   |       Reinx.bmp
|   |       switchboot.bmp
|   |       sxos.bmp
|   |       Tegraexplorer.bmp
|   |       Ubuntu.bmp
|   |
|   +---payloads
|   \---sys
|       |   argon-nx-gui.bin
|       |   color.ini
|       |   hw.ini
|       |   lang.ini
|       |   lp0.bso
|       |   minerva.bso
|       |   res.emunsw
|       |
|       \---logos-gui
|               about.bmp
|               atmosphere.bmp
|               autolaunch.bmp
|               colorconf.bmp
|               confini.bmp
|               emummc1.bmp
|               emummc2.bmp
|               emummc3.bmp
|               emunand1.bmp
|               emunand2.bmp
|               emunand3.bmp
|               fileman.bmp
|               lang.bmp
|               power.bmp
|               rtc.bmp
|               sxos.bmp
|               theme.bmp
|               umssd.bmp
|               update.bmp
|
+---atmosphere
|   \---contents
|       \---010000000000100B
|               exefs.nsp
|
\---switch
    +---.overlays
    |       ArgonRTP.ovl
    |
    \---ArgonRTP
            ArgonRTP.nro

now on the folder SDMC:/argon/payloads you must copy the payloads you want to load from ARGON.

on the file SDMC:/argon/autolaunch.bin YOU PUT THE PAYLOAD you like to be auto chainloaded from Argon

I do recommend to use https://github.com/Storm21CH/ArgonNX-SE/releases

Thanks mate , appreciate your explanation :grog:

One last question please if you don't mind :
After placing the files as you guided ==> while in the hekate environment when switch boots up , do i need to inject argon payload from the payload section and reboot? and if i want not to use argon anymore , i launch hekate payload and reboot?

Thanks again for your help!

impeeza · Jul 1, 2026

SamyKn said:
Thanks mate , appreciate your explanation

One last question please if you don't mind :
After placing the files as you guided ==> while in the hekate environment when switch boots up , do i need to inject argon payload from the payload section and reboot? and if i want not to use argon anymore , i launch hekate payload and reboot?

Thanks again for your help!

Hello there,

Argon, ArgonNX, ArgonNX-SE, fusee and Hekate all of them are bootloaders

Argon(NX-SE) is a chainloader, a bootloader designed to bootload any other payload, the main purpose or Argon is to avoid the need of update the payload of your injector.

On the V1 switch you can use an external or internal device to inject the payload and sometimes is a pain on the buttocks to update the device's payload and you must do it each time your bootloader get updated

On V2 Switch you install a modchip which loads the SDMC:/payload.bin file so you need to upgrade that file each time your bootloader get updated.

The preferred bootloader is Hekate, and most people setup Hekate to autoboot a configuration. other people prefer hekate GUI (NYX) to load and there select the config to boot.

Here is where Argon(*) born, Argon replace your first step of bootloader so you have not to upgrade the payload. Argon chainload any other bootloader you like, by example, hekate so you only upgrade the needed files and forgot about your injector.

The most common setup is:

Your injector (external, internal or modchip) loads Argon, then you setup Argon to auto chain-load Hekate.bin. then hekate loads your configuration or NYX if you like.

josete2k · Jul 1, 2026

impeeza said:
Hello there,

Argon, ArgonNX, ArgonNX-SE, fusee and Hekate all of them are bootloaders

Argon(NX-SE) is a chainloader, a bootloader designed to bootload any other payload, the main purpose or Argon is to avoid the need of update the payload of your injector.

On the V1 switch you can use an external or internal device to inject the payload and sometimes is a pain on the buttocks to update the device's payload and you must do it each time your bootloader get updated

On V2 Switch you install a modchip which loads the SDMC:/payload.bin file so you need to upgrade that file each time your bootloader get updated.

The preferred bootloader is Hekate, and most people setup Hekate to autoboot a configuration. other people prefer hekate GUI (NYX) to load and there select the config to boot.

Here is where Argon(*) born, Argon replace your first step of bootloader so you have not to upgrade the payload. Argon chainload any other bootloader you like, by example, hekate so you only upgrade the needed files and forgot about your injector.

The most common setup is:

Your injector (external, internal or modchip) loads Argon, then you setup Argon to auto chain-load Hekate.bin. then hekate loads your configuration or NYX if you like.

Hekate does it too...

impeeza · Jul 1, 2026

josete2k said:
Hekate does it too...

Yes and No. Theorically if you boot with a older hekate payload, hekate detect it on start and reboot using the most recent payload. BUT! that has failed on the past, and sometimes a breakthrough is done and the older payloads become incompatible so you need upgrade it. argon avoid it. argon had needed no upgrade on years.

FanNintendo · Jul 1, 2026

impeeza said:
Yes and No. Theorically if you boot with a older hekate payload, hekate detect it on start and reboot using the most recent payload. BUT! that has failed on the past, and sometimes a breakthrough is done and the older payloads become incompatible so you need upgrade it. argon avoid it. argon had needed no upgrade on years.

My v1 is at 3.0.0 sysmc and emmc is 19.0.1 the less burning fuse right? if im wrong can you explain? also is it okay to go on update all the way on emmc or stay on 19.0.1 ? thanks if you get to read this

SnowStormAkikaze · Jul 1, 2026

FanNintendo said:
My v1 is at 3.0.0 sysmc and emmc is 19.0.1 the less burning fuse right? if im wrong can you explain? also is it okay to go on update all the way on emmc or stay on 19.0.1 ? thanks if you get to read this

I'm new too, As far as I understand OFW, and sysMMC is store on your console, and emuMMC is store on your SD card what ever you do on that emuMMC will not effect on the other 2.

impeeza · Jul 1, 2026

FanNintendo said:
My v1 is at 3.0.0 sysmc and emmc is 19.0.1 the less burning fuse right? if im wrong can you explain? also is it okay to go on update all the way on emmc or stay on 19.0.1 ? thanks if you get to read this

burned fuses affect only booting OFW if you boot a OFW version lower to the burnt fuses a panic occurs and the console do not start.

if you use CFW the burnt fuses are ignored by SYSNand or EmuNAND.

Only upgrade your *NAND if you need it, and you understand the changes on the memory available for Homebrew and Mods and all the homebrew and sysmodules you use has been upgraded to the latest atmosphère support.

Post automatically merged: Jul 1, 2026

SnowStormAkikaze said:
I'm new too, As far as I understand OFW, and sysMMC is store on your console, and emuMMC is store on your SD card what ever you do on that emuMMC will not effect on the other 2.

OFW is the Original FirmWare. CFW es Custom Firmware,

OFW is achived when you boot WITHOUT any modification of the bootload process (or a hekate setup to boot directly to OFW) and is only possible to the console NAND

CFW is a startup using modifications made by Atmosphère to the console firmware. and can be loaded using the console NAND or any EmuNAND created on the SD Card (you can have up to 4 of them)

SamyKn · Jul 1, 2026

impeeza said:
Hello there,

Argon, ArgonNX, ArgonNX-SE, fusee and Hekate all of them are bootloaders

Argon(NX-SE) is a chainloader, a bootloader designed to bootload any other payload, the main purpose or Argon is to avoid the need of update the payload of your injector.

On the V1 switch you can use an external or internal device to inject the payload and sometimes is a pain on the buttocks to update the device's payload and you must do it each time your bootloader get updated

On V2 Switch you install a modchip which loads the SDMC:/payload.bin file so you need to upgrade that file each time your bootloader get updated.

The preferred bootloader is Hekate, and most people setup Hekate to autoboot a configuration. other people prefer hekate GUI (NYX) to load and there select the config to boot.

Here is where Argon(*) born, Argon replace your first step of bootloader so you have not to upgrade the payload. Argon chainload any other bootloader you like, by example, hekate so you only upgrade the needed files and forgot about your injector.

The most common setup is:

Your injector (external, internal or modchip) loads Argon, then you setup Argon to auto chain-load Hekate.bin. then hekate loads your configuration or NYX if you like.

Thanks heaps mate , really appreciate your explanation :grog:

I get it now , Argon as the chain bootloader just gives you an option which payload you wanna choose to boot/inject (you can simply pick hekate too based on my understanding if you want).

Sorry if too many questions , i played a lot with CFW from user perspective but never did anything with Argon

FanNintendo · Jul 3, 2026

impeeza said:
burned fuses affect only booting OFW if you boot a OFW version lower to the burnt fuses a panic occurs and the console do not start.

if you use CFW the burnt fuses are ignored by SYSNand or EmuNAND.

Only upgrade your *NAND if you need it, and you understand the changes on the memory available for Homebrew and Mods and all the homebrew and sysmodules you use has been upgraded to the latest atmosphère support.

Post automatically merged: Jul 1, 2026

OFW is the Original FirmWare. CFW es Custom Firmware,

OFW is achived when you boot WITHOUT any modification of the bootload process (or a hekate setup to boot directly to OFW) and is only possible to the console NAND

CFW is a startup using modifications made by Atmosphère to the console firmware. and can be loaded using the console NAND or any EmuNAND created on the SD Card (you can have up to 4 of them)

Thanks it explains clear!

JigoKuu · Jul 6, 2026

hippy dave said:
If you have a V1 Switch, you don't want to keep swapping micro SD cards, as there is a design weakness where the card reader board connects to the motherboard, and they regularly break with too much swapping. I know the OLED Switch does NOT have this problem, I'm not sure about Lite or V2.

Thank you very much for the heads-up! I have a V2, hopefully I will not face any issues (I don't plan to switch the cards too much/often anyways), but if I do, I have some skilled people around me who I can ask for repair.

It is kind of ridiculous that the microSD-card reader would be such an Achilles heel for the Switch, haha.

bth · Jul 6, 2026

JigoKuu said:
Thank you very much for the heads-up! I have a V2, hopefully I will not face any issues (I don't plan to switch the cards too much/often anyways), but if I do, I have some skilled people around me who I can ask for repair.

It is kind of ridiculous that the microSD-card reader would be such an Achilles heel for the Switch, haha.

i removed and re-inserted micro sdcards into my 2018 model switch without it ever breaking.
probably up to 1000+ times, during testing and development of various things.

i would argue it's not a factual statement.

M7L7NK7 · Jul 6, 2026

bth said:
i removed and re-inserted micro sdcards into my 2018 model switch without it ever breaking.
probably up to 1000+ times, during testing and development of various things.

i would argue it's not a factual statement.

And a lot of other people have had issues with it, you got lucky

Ao-h · Jul 11, 2026

I'm noticing that there's less memory available for sysmodules with Atmosphere 1.11.2 as opposed to 1.11.1. This is with the exact same sysmodules and everything, on FW 22.1.0:
- AMS 1.11.1, on boot: 8.621MB free
- AMS 1.11.2, on boot: 8.352MB free (-0.269MB)
Is this normal/known? Just wondering if it's a bug/fixable or it's necessary due to the changes required to support newest FW.

Hayato213 · Jul 11, 2026

Ao-h said:
I'm noticing that there's less memory available for sysmodules with Atmosphere 1.11.2 as opposed to 1.11.1. This is with the exact same sysmodules and everything, on FW 22.1.0:
- AMS 1.11.1, on boot: 8.621MB free
- AMS 1.11.2, on boot: 8.352MB free (-0.269MB)
Is this normal/known? Just wondering if it's a bug/fixable or it's necessary due to the changes required to support newest FW.

You don't need to be on 1.1.2 for firmware 22.1.0

impeeza · Jul 11, 2026

Ao-h said:
I'm noticing that there's less memory available for sysmodules with Atmosphere 1.11.2 as opposed to 1.11.1. This is with the exact same sysmodules and everything, on FW 22.1.0:
- AMS 1.11.1, on boot: 8.621MB free
- AMS 1.11.2, on boot: 8.352MB free (-0.269MB)
Is this normal/known? Just wondering if it's a bug/fixable or it's necessary due to the changes required to support newest FW.

it is not Atmosphère's fault is Firmware, Ninjas has reduced the memory for process, and Atmosphère had to mimic the OFW behavior.

NeoGranzon · Jul 14, 2026

impeeza said:
it is not Atmosphère's fault is Firmware, Ninjas has reduced the memory for process, and Atmosphère had to mimic the OFW behavior.

With each firmware release, the RAM gets smaller and smaller. If this continues, you will no longer be able to install Atmosphere if there are any future updates.

bth · Jul 14, 2026

NeoGranzon said:
With each firmware release, the RAM gets smaller and smaller. If this continues, you will no longer be able to install Atmosphere if there are any future updates.

that's a misunderstanding.

the overlay loader gimmick-thing (not sys-patch) consumes a lot of memory as example, and people insist on using it.

basically the only thing hindered by future throttling of memory, is only people who bloat up their console with custom sysmodules (in theory you need exactly zero / sys-patch only)

tl:dr what is obstructed is loading custom sysmodules and rebuilding romfs for game mods.

loading in with a fork of atmosphere to remove the need for sys-patch, as example, frees up memory that sys-patch consumes.

an example implementation of sys-patch's functions into mesosphere (kernel level patching) and loader looks like this, and frees up memory:
https://github.com/borntohonk/Atmosphere/commit/95d661a7583d73181c31e51535ef40bff283cda7

Hacking Atmosphere-NX - Custom Firmware in development by SciresM

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