Being true to their promise, switchroot has released their highly anticipated method of bringing Android to your Nintendo Switch console. This marks the first public release of LineageOS 15.1, and is based on a build of Android that runs on the Nvidia Shield TV. By flashing the installation image to your micro SD card, you can use Android 8.1 Oreo on the Switch, in both handheld and docked mode. Some of the features include audio support, allowing the Joy-Cons to connect through bluetooth, offering CPU and GPU performance profiles, and more.

As this is a beta release, you should be aware that there are a few bugs. Some notable issues are that sleep mode battery life is lacking, certain apps have problems with being controlled with the Joy-Cons, the screenshot function is disabled, wifi can be spotty, and a few other quirks.

If you're interested in playing around with this release, you can follow the instructions below to get started, with the download links being available in the source.

LineageOS 15.1 for Nintendo Switch by switchroot. This is the first publicly available Android ROM for the Nintendo Switch. Based on the Nvidia Shield TV builds it brings a smooth and powerful Android experience to your Switch in both handheld and docked mode.

1. Pick the image that corresponds to the size of your SD card. You can use an image that is smaller than your card. You’ll end up with the remaining space unused on your card.
2. Write the image to your SD card with e.g. balenaEtcher Do not extract the image, Etcher can handle the compressed image just fine! WARNING: This will overwrite any contents on your card! The progress bar/percentage might go haywire in Etcher, but you can ignore that. The flashing will still work and Etcher will let you know when it’s done. It can take up to an hour depending on your SD card’s speed. Also make sure not to format any of the partitions when Windows prompts you to after flashing.
3. Download GApps for Android 8.1. from OpenGApps, use ARM64. Put the file on the first partition of your new SD card
4. If desired download the "Shield-ifier" zip and place it also on the SD card. This will make your Switch identify as Nvidia Shield TV and install the Nvidia app.
5. Load hekate and boot to TWRP by holding VOL+ when you select the Android config.
6. Flash GApps zip, optionally flash other zips
7. Reboot to hekate and boot into Android
8. Complete the inital setup. For the Nvidia app to work make sure to update it from Play Store!

Source

 

[Idontknowwhattoputhere]

Nice
First
Cant wait to try this

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Nice. Will be interesting to see how well this runs certain games/apps.

 

[Scarlet]

Finally, a REAL Fire Emblem game on the Switch. Can't wait to play Heroes!

 

[Ericzander]

This may have just convinced me to buy a Switch.

Finally, a REAL Pokemon game on the Switch. Can't wait to play Go!

FTFY

 

[the_randomizer]

Wonder how emulators will work on here.

 

[scroeffie1984]

 

[Chary]

Soon actually meant soon for once!

 

[the_randomizer]

Soon actually meant soon for once!

Yeah, I didn't expect that Maybe DraStic will run full speed?

 

[gamemasteru03]

This is great news. Does anybody know if I could use this and a atmosphere emunand on the same sd card?

 

[Seelbreaker]

This working with emunand would be the best

 

[Zumoly]

How interesting will this get?
I can't wait to get home. I have a spare 32 gb laying around.

 

[Tomobobo]

Release on XDA makes it feel more legit.

 

[leon315]

cAN YOU PLAY switch games on it?

 

[The Real Jdbye]

Do docked JoyCons work? I know that's been a problem with Linux, and it isn't mentioned in the OP.

Ooh, with the "Shield-ifier" it should be possible to get Geforce Now running on it right? I tried to install an Nvidia Games apk to get Geforce Now running on my phone, but the latest version of the Nvidia Games apk complains that it's incompatible with my device, and older versions do run but don't actually let me use Geforce Now likely since it does some version checks. Would be really nice to have that on the Switch.

 

[Andalitez]

So latest version of hekate and just run with vol up for gapps?

 

[KilwaAston]

This requires a dedicated SD card, correct ?

 

[x65943]

Do docked JoyCons work? I know that's been a problem with Linux, and it isn't mentioned in the OP.

Ooh, with the "Shield-ifier" it should be possible to get Geforce Now running on it right? I tried to install an Nvidia Games apk to get Geforce Now running on my phone, but the latest version of the Nvidia Games apk complains that it's incompatible with my device, and older versions do run but don't actually let me use Geforce Now likely since it does some version checks. Would be really nice to have that on the Switch.

From the linked release page

• Joycons connect via Bluetooth, also in handheld mode

 

[Rahkeesh]

Hell if its just Android bluetooth, maybe we can pair android dinput controllers? Like say the 8bitdo ones.

Really curious how bluetooth input lag will be, often a struggle on Android.

 

[mrtzera]

does it works with emunand?