Hacking Questions About the Internal Chip Mod for the Nintendo Switch

Ujico · Apr 13, 2020

Hi,

I am perhaps planning to hardmod my Nintendo Switch using the Adafruit Trinket M0 modschip for the Nintendo Switch. I have a couple of questions before I dive into it. I wanted to ask the questions at the original post found here: https://gbatemp.net/threads/internal-modchip-samd21-trinket-m0-gemma-m0itsybitsy-m0-express-guide-files-support.508068/. The guide/tutorial was written by @mattytrog.

Does the Adafruit Trinket M0 use a seperate power source such as an external battery or coin cell between 2-9 volts?
if so, is it possible to solder a wire from the Adafruit Trinket M0 to the Nintendo Switch motherboard to supply power directly from the Nintendo Switch battery?
What will I be greeted with if I turn my Nintendo Switch on WITHOUT the SD-card in place after completing all the necessary steps and soldering all the wires? Will I get a blank/black screen or will the Nintendo Switch boot normally to official firmware (OFW)?
In the video that @mattytrog provided in his post, he demonstrates that pressing the [VOLUME UP] and [POWER BUTTON] simultaneously triggers the custom firmware (CFW). Can it also be changed to a different configuration? For example loading Hekate Bootloader instead of loading the CFW?
If I solder all the wires (7-wire installation) from the Adafruit Trinket M0 to the Nintendo Switch motherboard, I will not require AutoRCM, correct? Example: https://gbatemp.net/attachments/trinketfinal-jpg.197969/
If I complete the hardmod, will I be able to charge my Nintendo Switch like normally? Or does this mod have any concequences related to charging the Nintendo Switch?
Does the Adafruit Trinket M0 turn off automatically if the Switch is turned off? Or does it stay on?
Does the Adafruit Trinket M0 turn off or go into standby mode of my Switch is in standby mode or does it stay on?
Are there ANY concequences related to doing the hardmod? For example, things that I will not be able to do anymore in comparison to an unmodded Nintendo Switch aside from the risks of damaging it?

Sorry for all the questions. I read the original post throughly. But I would like to be sure before I start the mod so I don't regret it later on. I hope someone can help me out. I also made a seperate thread instead of private messaging @mattytrog so that people with the same question as me can see this post. Thanks in advance!

thesjaakspoiler · Apr 20, 2020

Does the Adafruit Trinket M0 use a seperate power source such as an external battery or coin cell between 2-9 volts?
if so, is it possible to solder a wire from the Adafruit Trinket M0 to the Nintendo Switch motherboard to supply power directly from the Nintendo Switch battery?

It's connected to the internal power source of the Switch.

What will I be greeted with if I turn my Nintendo Switch on WITHOUT the SD-card in place after completing all the necessary steps and soldering all the wires? Will I get a blank/black screen or will the Nintendo Switch boot normally to official firmware (OFW)?

Most custom firmwares have AutoRCM enabled by default, so it will go into RCM mode after a reboot.
The Trinket will then inject a payload, which in turn looks for the files on the SD card.
Most likely you will see an error that the the files on the SD card are missing.

In the video that @mattytrog provided in his post, he demonstrates that pressing the [VOLUME UP] and [POWER BUTTON] simultaneously triggers the custom firmware (CFW). Can it also be changed to a different configuration? For example loading Hekate Bootloader instead of loading the CFW?

No, this is hardcoded in the Switch. Only with this key combination will it go into RCM mode.

If I solder all the wires (7-wire installation) from the Adafruit Trinket M0 to the Nintendo Switch motherboard, I will not require AutoRCM, correct? Example: https://gbatemp.net/attachments/trinketfinal-jpg.197969/

You should be able to run it without autoRCM mode.
But why would you? The whole purpose is to boot into RCM mode. You can always select to boot in OFW with the latest versions of Hekate.

If I complete the hardmod, will I be able to charge my Nintendo Switch like normally? Or does this mod have any concequences related to charging the Nintendo Switch?

The charging itself does not change.
Only make sure that you don't drain it completely.

Does the Adafruit Trinket M0 turn off automatically if the Switch is turned off? Or does it stay on?

You need to turn your Switch off through Hekate AFAIK to really turn it off.
The latest CFW automatically boot back into Hekate anyway if you restart it from the Switch user interface.
But usually you keep your Switch on. It lasts for days if it goes into sleep mode.

Does the Adafruit Trinket M0 turn off or go into standby mode of my Switch is in standby mode or does it stay on?

This feature is not dependent on the Trinket.
That is part of the CFW and all the latest CFW support the sleep mode.

Are there ANY concequences related to doing the hardmod? For example, things that I will not be able to do anymore in comparison to an unmodded Nintendo Switch aside from the risks of damaging it?

With a Trinket installed, you can't use another external injector just in case you messed something up.
You need to make sure everything is working correctly.

snoofly · Apr 20, 2020

thesjaakspoiler said:
No, this is hardcoded in the Switch. Only with this key combination will it go into RCM mode.

I think what OP meant was whether you can change what the power/Vol+ combination will trigger.
I have mine set to run hekate for power, atmos for power and vol +, sxos for power vol -

Hacking Questions About the Internal Chip Mod for the Nintendo Switch

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