Used SXOS since launch and haven't needed to update my Switch in over a year so am just reading up on the fallout of SXOS being abandoned and the recommendation to move over to Atmosphere.
Could you give any links or further info on how to do what you explained with using both?
I've seen a few guides on migrating on here but a few are out of date and I don't really want to risk bricking/messing things up before I understand things a bit better.
I currently have SXOS on 10.2 emuNand and a lower "real" firmware and I use RCM via my PC to boot back up if the Switch ever loses power.
From what I've read I should update to SXOS 3.1 and the emuNAND to 11.0.0 before I look at anything to do with migrating, so that will be the first thing I'll do.
I did make a NAND backup when I first installed SXOS and have a clean 6.0.1 backup consisting of Full NAND, Boot0/1, eMMC Sys and eMMC User if that matters or helps.
I've never used the Switch online and never intend to so I'm not sure if I even need both of them or even need to use an emuNand? I wasn't sure when I first did it so went with the emuNand to be safe but I've never had any urge to play online with it.
I basically just want to be able to play games offline so would like to easily update the firmware as needed and be able to install games from USB drive - but doing it over the network / using a PC wouldn't be the end of the world.
I also read something about
sigpatches which need to be done manually with Atmosphere but I need to do more reading on that as I'm not sure what it does or entails just yet.
Bit out of the loop - any advice appreciated.
If you've been out of the loop, or if you're not sure about some fundamentals, I suggest reading up on some information that is already available, and would be redundant to mention. Here are some guides that explain things quite well:
https://switch.homebrew.guide/
https://nh-server.github.io/switch-guide/
Once you have the terminology and basic stuff down, it's easier to ask questions, and easier for people to answer your questions. There are somethings that may not be obvious regarding Atmosphere/SXOS:
* Installing Hekate and Atmosphere on a SD card that already contained SXOS does NOT wipe out SXOS. Each uses different files/folders and are independent from each other - So by installing Hekate/Atmosphere on your existing SXOS SD card, you have both, and the way you run one or the other is via choosing the right RCM payload to send from your PC. If you have a SXOS dongle, you can even use that to boot either SXOS or Hekate then to Atmosphere; but it sounds like you're using a PC to inject payload, so you're good to go there.
* If I remember correctly, one of those guides explains what
sigpatches are for, but basically by applying
sigpatches to your cfw, you're allowing the cfw to run apps and games without checking signature (security measures). Applying patches just means you unzip one or two files to your SD card; it's that simple.
If I were you, I would attempt the following (This is what I did when I transitioned from SXOS to Atmosphere):
* Backup SD card before you start, then you're free to experiment without the fear of screwing up
* Install Hekate, Atmosphere, apply Sigpatches - Make sure you can still boot into SXOS afterward
* Use your PC (or dongle) to boot into Hekate.
* In Hekate, create an emuNand to be used by Atmosphere - Check that you can boot into Atmosphere, either directly or via Hekate (chain loading).
* Boot into emuNand using Atmosphere, then use Daybreak to update your emuNand to the latest.
* In your emuNand, you can use an installer to install your games (Tinfoil, Awoo, Tinwoo, ...). I personally use Awoo, but I know Tinwoo essentially does the same thing; both allow installing games over multiple media: SD, network, ... so you won't even have to remove the SD card from the slot.
That's the basic roadmap, the details you'll most likely find via one of multiple sources: guides, googling, asking questions here. With those steps, I was able to boot either into SXOS or Atmosphere. I have since gotten rid of SXOS altogether because I have no needs for it.