Tutorial
Updated
Precautions to take to avoid getting banned
All of these steps are so painfully obvious that they shouldn't need saying. However, many people seem to be getting themselves banned by being careless so let's list the possible precautions.
Remember - there is NO 100% surefire way to avoid a ban. All people can do is take every precaution possible.
Internet Settings
1. Set a custom DNS - Go to 'change settings' for your connection. The primary DNS should be 104.236.106.125 and the secondary should be 62.210.147.20. This will block connections to the Nintendo servers.
2. Disable 'Connect Automatically' - This forces you to manually connect and thus you can double check the DNS is set up properly. Again, a precaution.
3. Delete all other networks from your Internet Settings - You can never be too careful. Delete any networks you don't need and properly manage the ones you do.
4. Always use Flight Mode when not playing online - Again, this is a precaution to ensure no mistakes. If you need Bluetooth, you can just disable WiFi.
Here we have a 4 layer protection to avoid accidently being online unnecessarily and getting a ban. You can still play online, but the point is that these should all be your DEFAULT settings which you then manually disable when you want to play your (LEGIT) Splatoon 2 online. Remember to re-enable all these settings after you are done playing.
General Usage
1. Set up an extra account purely for Homebrew/piracy usage - This may or may not prevent your main account from getting banned and you losing all your digital purchases. Be sensible, don't use your main account when doing things you're not supposed to. Common sense. And don’t link it to the Nintendo store, keep it a purely offline account.
2. STAY OFFLINE when using CFW, SX etc. - Use flight mode and all the above internet settings when using CFW or SX. Will you really get banned for using CFW? Who knows, But you wanna risk it? Be my guest. Again, precautions.
3. Boot into STOCK firmware when playing online or using eShop - You wanna play Splatoon 2? Great! Just don't do it from within CFW or SX. Cover your back. Turn off your console, boot into stock. Is using legit games online in CFW safe? Maybe. But why risk it? Precautions.
4. Never update backup games or go online with them - This doesn't need explaining. Keep all your misadventures offline.
EDIT - It has been pointed out that people using SX can update their games by rebooting into stock firmware. The game should still appear abeit showing the cart as not inserted. In theory, it should be safe to update from here because no 'fake' cartridge is inserted. That said, it is still a risk. Up to you. Still NEVER update while in SX.
5. If errors occur when using homebrew, clear logs - This can be done by booting Hekate CTCaer, Launch Firmware-> Clear Logs. This prevents homebrew-related errors being sent to Nintendo.
6. Don't install DevMenu - Jury is still out of whether Nintendo can detect this, but having a pirated DevMenu is a pretty big red flag. I'd wait for a homebrew solution to install eShop files.
I wanna play Splatoon 2 online! What do I do?! - Reboot into STOCK firmware, disable flight mode, connect to your network manually and set DNS to automatic. Play your legit Splatoon 2 online. But once you are finished, REMEMBER TO SET THE DNS AGAIN AND ENABLE FLIGHT MODE to avoid any mistakes such as accidentally going online when playing a backup game.
Again - there is no 100% way to avoid a ban and not all of these steps may be necessary. It is all about second guessing Nintendo and taking every precaution possible.
Remember - there is NO 100% surefire way to avoid a ban. All people can do is take every precaution possible.
Internet Settings
1. Set a custom DNS - Go to 'change settings' for your connection. The primary DNS should be 104.236.106.125 and the secondary should be 62.210.147.20. This will block connections to the Nintendo servers.
2. Disable 'Connect Automatically' - This forces you to manually connect and thus you can double check the DNS is set up properly. Again, a precaution.
3. Delete all other networks from your Internet Settings - You can never be too careful. Delete any networks you don't need and properly manage the ones you do.
4. Always use Flight Mode when not playing online - Again, this is a precaution to ensure no mistakes. If you need Bluetooth, you can just disable WiFi.
Here we have a 4 layer protection to avoid accidently being online unnecessarily and getting a ban. You can still play online, but the point is that these should all be your DEFAULT settings which you then manually disable when you want to play your (LEGIT) Splatoon 2 online. Remember to re-enable all these settings after you are done playing.
General Usage
1. Set up an extra account purely for Homebrew/piracy usage - This may or may not prevent your main account from getting banned and you losing all your digital purchases. Be sensible, don't use your main account when doing things you're not supposed to. Common sense. And don’t link it to the Nintendo store, keep it a purely offline account.
2. STAY OFFLINE when using CFW, SX etc. - Use flight mode and all the above internet settings when using CFW or SX. Will you really get banned for using CFW? Who knows, But you wanna risk it? Be my guest. Again, precautions.
3. Boot into STOCK firmware when playing online or using eShop - You wanna play Splatoon 2? Great! Just don't do it from within CFW or SX. Cover your back. Turn off your console, boot into stock. Is using legit games online in CFW safe? Maybe. But why risk it? Precautions.
4. Never update backup games or go online with them - This doesn't need explaining. Keep all your misadventures offline.
EDIT - It has been pointed out that people using SX can update their games by rebooting into stock firmware. The game should still appear abeit showing the cart as not inserted. In theory, it should be safe to update from here because no 'fake' cartridge is inserted. That said, it is still a risk. Up to you. Still NEVER update while in SX.
5. If errors occur when using homebrew, clear logs - This can be done by booting Hekate CTCaer, Launch Firmware-> Clear Logs. This prevents homebrew-related errors being sent to Nintendo.
6. Don't install DevMenu - Jury is still out of whether Nintendo can detect this, but having a pirated DevMenu is a pretty big red flag. I'd wait for a homebrew solution to install eShop files.
I wanna play Splatoon 2 online! What do I do?! - Reboot into STOCK firmware, disable flight mode, connect to your network manually and set DNS to automatic. Play your legit Splatoon 2 online. But once you are finished, REMEMBER TO SET THE DNS AGAIN AND ENABLE FLIGHT MODE to avoid any mistakes such as accidentally going online when playing a backup game.
Again - there is no 100% way to avoid a ban and not all of these steps may be necessary. It is all about second guessing Nintendo and taking every precaution possible.
Last edited by sj33,