Tutorial  Updated

How to use LayeredFS for Backup Loading + What Games Work/Don't

This thread is outdated
A lot of information in this thread is heavilly out of date.
If you have time, and have Staff permission, feel free to edit this thread and remove this statement once necessary.

Some information that needs to be addressed:
  • SX OS and Atmosphere now supports proper LayeredFS, instructions for using it has changed since this tutorial was made
  • Supported Firmware information is out of date
  • LFSKit needs to be updated to properly support non 5.x.x firmware
  • Compatability chart needs to be re-made
-PRAGMA


WARNING
  • DO NOT GO ONLINE WHEN DOING THIS (YOU WILL BE BANNED)


How to use LayeredFS for Backup Loading

Firmware Supported: ONLY 5.x.x
Use the PRAGMA LFS Kit below.

PRAGMA's LFS Kit

DOWNLOAD
SOURCE

  • Go from NOTHING in your SD Card to playing a game backup in a few clicks!
  • Decrypt .XCI -> romfs/exefs folder with main.nmpd auto edited aswell as folder's name auto renamed to donor titleid
  • Download NOTHING except LFSKit!
ENJOY!

yyTJ8rr.gif


Picking a Donor Title and getting Donor TitleIDRunning Game Backups!


    1. A donor title is the application we will run to open the backup.
      Pick a game you don't care about (Download a Demo or a free game from eShop, for example Octopath Demo)
      saves are something no one knows much about, we don't fully know where or how they are stored.
      They might overwrite the donor titles save, so seriously pick a game you DONT care about, not a game you rarely play.

    2. I also recommend picking a donor title/game combo that has been tested and reported working just so you know if YOU did something wrong or not.
    3. Find the TitleID of the donor title you chose from http://nswdb.com or http://switchbrew.org/index.php?title=Title_list/Games
      Region must be the same, choose the TitleID for the base-game NOT for the update title, even if your updated.

    1. Once again, boot into Hekate-IPL (Step 1).
    2. Enter "Launch firmware" and select "RomFS".
    3. Your now in your system's home menu.
    4. Open the Donor Title you set the TitleID of on that folder and .npmd file earlier.
    5. The game will load up flawlessly.
      If you opened the Title lets say, Fortnite, and Fortnite booted, the titleid of the folder in sd:/atmosphere/titles/{fortnitetitleid} doesnt exist, or doesnt start with 0100.
      If it gives you an error screen, either you didnt edit the main.npmd properly, or its an incompatible title/donor combo.
    To see which games work and which dont using which donor titles, look below.
    If you notice that you used a combination of Game and Donor title that isnt in the list below, post in the thread and I will add it. (look under to see what I need to add to chart).


Troubleshooting

  • Black Screen/Infinitely Loading
    Leave it for around 5 minutes then press the home button and go back into the game without closing it. Often this can do the job.
  • Freeze when Loading
    Close the game and try again, its a common occurence, you may have to try up to 4-5 times before getting it to work, sometimes you may even have to reboot between retries.
 
Last edited by PRAGMA,

PRAGMA

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could you possibly post up the old tutorial as I was up to the very last step, and can't find an archive link :(
What did you last do?

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

does the trim button not have a done at the end of it? not even sure it it put the files
Whoops! It doesnt, ill add that.
 

ninjadudexp

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Give that a shot.. And if all else fails, PM me. I got 300 mbps connection, I'll just create a torrent out of the exefs folder and send it to you.
yeah still able to get the exefs on other titles, tunning it through pragma now to see if anything changes
 

Unity150_magickavoxel

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How to use LayeredFS for Backup Loading

Firmware Supported: 5.x.x
(for other firmwares, we need a way to patch a kernel.bin thats on 4.x.x firmware, but no such tool exists yet)

PRAGMA's LFS Kit v1.0.1!

DOWNLOAD
  • Go from NOTHING in your SD Card to playing a game backup in a few clicks!
  • Decrypt .XCI -> romfs/exefs folder with main.nmpd auto edited aswell as folder's name auto renamed to donor titleid
  • Download NOTHING except LFSKit!
ENJOY!
(Source very soon, don't trust? then dont run. The filesize is because it contains all the necessary binaries like hactool, rcm smasher e.t.c)

Picking a Donor Title and getting Donor TitleIDRunning Game Backups!


    1. A donor title is the application we will run to open the backup.
      Pick a game you don't care about (Download a Demo or a free game from eShop, for example Octopath Demo)
      saves are something no one knows much about, we don't fully know where or how they are stored.
      They might overwrite the donor titles save, so seriously pick a game you DONT care about, not a game you rarely play.

    2. I also recommend picking a donor title/game combo that has been tested and reported working just so you know if YOU did something wrong or not.
    3. Look below for the Title ID or google it and remember it, jot it down on Notepad, we will need it later.

    1. Once again, boot into Hekate-IPL (Step 1).
    2. Enter "Launch firmware" and select "RomFS".
    3. Your now in your system's home menu.
    4. Open the Donor Title you set the TitleID of on that folder and .npmd file earlier.
    5. The game will load up flawlessly.
      If you opened the Title lets say, Fortnite, and Fortnite booted, the titleid of the folder in sd:/atmosphere/titles/{fortnitetitleid} doesnt exist, or doesnt start with 0100.
      If it gives you an error screen, either you didnt edit the main.npmd properly, or its an incompatible title/donor combo.
    To see which games work and which dont using which donor titles, look below.
    If you notice that you used a combination of Game and Donor title that isnt in the list below, post in the thread and I will add it. (look under to see what I need to add to chart).


Title ID list (may be incomplete)

http://switchbrew.org/index.php?title=Title_list/Games
https://nswdb.com
(never use the "Update" title id's even if your title is updated and always use the same region of the installed title)

All free eShop Title's ID's - Handy for testing working games

Title NameTitle ID
Fortnite010025400AECE000
Hulu0100A66003384000
The Pinball Arcade0100cd300880E000
Fallout Shelter010043500A17A000
Octopath Demo010096000B3EA000
Kitten Squad01000C900A136000
Blazblue0100C6E00AF2C000
Pinball FX30100DB7003828000
Stern Pinball Arcade0100AE0006474000
PaccMan VS0100BA3003B70000
Pokémon Quest01005D100807A000
Pic-a-Pix Deluxe Demo01006E30099B8000
PixelJunk Monsters 2 Demo01004AF00A772000


Working Titles - DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE TITLES ONLINE!

If the title is infinitely loading or black screen, leave it for roughly 5 minutes, press home button, go back into the donor title and see if it loads.
Some games just need a little push.
I have a theory that some games work and some dont due to SD Card and LayeredFS filesize reading limitations.
Of course, I could be wrong, but is it really a coincidence most of the BIG games dont run?

If a title FREEZES when loading, just close the game and try again. Try 3-4 times. If it still freezes, try rebooting.
Some testers had freezes on games for ex: DOOM + Fortnite(donor) yet some testers did that combo, and got through.

Boots?GameDonor Title's that WORKDonor Title's that FAILFirmwareSaves?
Attack on Titan 2VOEZ Demo-5.1.0
OwlboyFortnite-5.1.0
DOOMFortnite (doesnt save)Fallout Shelter (crashes before menu), Pokemon Quest (freezes for 1 tester, blackscreen for another tester), Octopath Traveler Demo (buggy)5.1.0X
Poi: Explorer EditionFortnite-5.1.0
I Am SetsunaFortnite-5.1.0?
Scribblenauts ShowdownFallout ShelterPokémon Quest (black screen), Pic-a-Pix Deluxe Demo (black screen), PixelJunk Monsters 2 Demo (black screen)5.1.0
Overcooked!Fortnite (saves?), The Pinball Arcade (saves!)Hulu5.1.0
SkyrimOctopath Traveler Demo (saves!), Fortnite (doesnt save), Pinball FX3 (saves!)Super Mario Odyssey (crashes starting a save), Mario Kart 8 DELUXE (infinite loading screen)5.1.0✓?
Fire Emblem WarriorsFortnite (buggy?), Super Mario Odyssey (saves!), Dragon Quest Builders (saves!)-5.1.0✓?
Stardew ValleySkyrim-5.1.0
BayonettaFortnite (saves!), Oceanhorn Demo (saves?)-5.1.0✓?
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2Kitten Squad-5.1.0?
Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final ChallengersKitten Squad-5.1.0?
Wonder Boy: The Dragon's TrapAstro Bears Party-5.1.0?
Wild Guns ReloadedPokemon Quest-5.1.0?
Lost SphearI Am Setsuna, Pokemon Quest-5.1.0?
Little Nightmares: Complete EditionPokemon Quest-5.1.0
Gal Gun 2Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap-5.1.0
RAYMAN LEGENDS: DEFINITIVE EDITIONFortnite-5.1.0?
Sonic ForcesFallout ShelterFortnite, Super Mario Odyssey5.1.0
LEGO WorldsFortnite, Stern Pinball Arcade-5.1.0
Super Bomberman RFallout Shelter-5.1.0?
Hyrule Warriors: Definitive EditionSuper Mario Odyssey, Fallout ShelterFortnite, Pinball PX35.1.0
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom BattleFortnite, Super Mario Odyssey, Fallout Shelter, Golf Story, Oxenfree-5.1.0
Kirby Star AlliesFortnite (doesnt save, max savesize of 5.3mb?), Pokemon Quest (?), Minecraft (saves!), Stardew Valley (saves!)Pokken Tournament DX Demo (infinite loading), Pokken Tournament DX (freezes/infinite loading)5.1.0✓?
Splatoon 2Super Mario Odyssey, Just Dance 2018, Splatoon 2 Splatfest DemoRocket League (black screen), Fallout Shelter (crash 1 tester, blackscreen another tester), Kitten Squad, Fortnite5.1.0
Nintendo Labo - Toy-Con 02 ROBOT KITSuper Mario Odyssey, Rocket League-5.1.0?
Minecraft - Switch EditionSuper One More Jump Demo-5.1.0?
Dragon Quest BuildersFallout Shelter, ARMS, Blaster Master Zero, Kitten Squad, Pinball FX3, I Am Setsuna-5.1.0
The Binding of IsaacFallout Shelter (saves!), FAST RMX (saves?), Rocket League (saves?), Super Mario Odyssey (saves!), Minecraft (saves!)-5.1.0✓?
Darkest DungeonFAST RMX-5.1.0?
Just Dance 2018Fortnite-5.1.0?
Human: Fall FlatFortnite-5.1.0
Pokkén Tournament DXSkyrim, Fortnite, Just Dance 2018Fallout Shelter (freezes on auto-save warning), Pokkén Tournament DX DEMO, Splatoon 2 (freezes)5.1.0X
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical FreezeSuper Mario Odyssey, Fallout Shelter, Fortnite, Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap-5.1.0
VoezVoez Demo, Fortnite, Super Mario Odyssey-5.1.0
Sonic ManiaSuper Mario Odyssey-5.0.2
Payday 2Pokemon QuestFAST RMX5.1.0
ARMSSuper Mario Odyssey (saves!), Namco Museum (saves!), Overcooked! (doesn't save)-5.1.0✓?
Shantae: Half-Genie HeroFallout Shelter, Super Mario Odyssey-5.1.0
Scribblenauts ShowdownRocket League-5.1.0?
Disgea 5Super Mario OdysseyFortnite5.1.0
Cave Story+VOEZ (Demo)-5.1.0
Monster Hunter XXSkyrim (loading screen doesnt fade, home button, and back in game to fix), Phantasy Star Online 2-5.1.0
XThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild-Fortnite (black screen), Fallout Shelter (black screen), Kitten Squad (black screen)5.1.0-
XSnipperclips-Snipperclips DEMO (freeze)5.1.0-
XPuyo Puyo Tetris Demo-Pokemon Quest5.1.0-
XPuyo Puyo Tetris-Fortnite, Snipperclips Demo5.1.0-
XAzure Striker Gunvolt Striker Pack-VOEZ Demo5.1.0-
XMario Kart 8 DELUXE-Super Mario Odyssey, Hyrule Warriors Definitive Edition, Puyo Puyo Tetris, Fortnite, RAYMAN LEGENDS: DEFINITIVE EDITION DEMO, Rocket League (error screen), Stern Pinball Arcade, Pinball FX3, Pac-Man VS, Blazblue5.1.0-
X1-2-Switch-Fortnite, Splatoon 2, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Snipperclips Demo, Fallout Shelter (error screen), Rocket League (black screen)5.1.0-
XXenoblade Chronicles 2-Fortnite, Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap, RAYMAN LEGENDS: DEFINITIVE EDITION DEMO, Fallout Shelter, Super Mario Odyssey, Pokemon Quest, Blaster Master Zero DEMO, Disgaea 55.1.0-
XSuper Mario Odyssey-Fortnite, Pokemon Quest, FAST RMX, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Namco Museum, Fallout Shelter, Puyo Puyo Tetris, Octopath Traveler Demo, Mario Kart 8 DELUXE5.1.0-
XSouth Park: The Fractured But Whole-Fortnite, Pokemon Quest, ARMS5.1.0-
XNBA 2K18-Super Mario Odyssey (black screen), Pokemon Quest (black screen)5.1.0-


Adding to List

Post the game name, donor name tried, firmware (probably 5.1.0).
If it boots I also need to know if it saves or not

LayeredFS Backup Loading Challenge/Test

- Get one of these games on your switch installed normally, no layeredfs stuff with them: Fallout Shelter, ARMS, Blaster Master Zero, Kitten Squad, Pinball FX3, I Am Setsuna
- Lets say you have Fallout Shelter, Use that as a Donor Title to load Dragon Quest Builders.
- Now, also use Dragon Quest Builders as a donor title to load Fire Emblem Warriors.

I wanna see if you can get from Fallout Shelter->Dragon Quest Builders->Fire Emblem Warriors, just from boot a free game like Fallout Shelter lmao

Notes

Seems fortnite is a good title to test with. Apparently using Fortnite as a Target Title and redirecting Axiom Verge works but I havent tried myself.
1-2-Switch seems to not work for anything, possibly as it doesnt use User-Accounts?
I already have save for mario and rabbids what do inject the save into fortnite or mario?
 

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Check out this tutorial.. It has English subtitles.


Thank you, for some reason with the files of that video it give me the correct folder and file, using the same *.XCI, I don't know why.

hes saying that its missing the folder completely i have this issue with skyrim as well not sure whats going on though.

Try with these files, it worked :hrth:
 

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What did you last do?

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------


Whoops! It doesnt, ill add that.
new exception so titles that are not giving exefs folder is crashing it, not sure if thats a game issue or a keys issue


EDIT:

Going to try with a diffrent set of keys.ini from someones download although i prefer my own
 
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annson24

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I'm having issue with switching from one game to another, sometimes it freezes in loading screen, sometimes it crashes. Has anybody encountered this, too?
 
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halcyonknight

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For people who aren't getting the exefs folder for certain games, I had to look around for the master keys that weren't included in my keys.ini file (mine only had 0 and 4 to start with.) After adding the missing keys, it seems to be working flawlessly.
 

ninjadudexp

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Thank you, for some reason with the files of that video it give me the correct folder and file, using the same *.XCI, I don't know why.



Try with these files, it worked :hrth:
yea it works, not sure at all what it is, same amount of keys it looks like. im guessing its one of the extra files in the folder
 
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If anyone haves issues with the LFS kit, use v1.1, should have everything resolved in it.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

I'm having issue with switching from one game to another, sometimes it freezes in loading screen, sometimes it crashes. Has anybody encountered this, too?
Thats normal, just gonna have to reboot.
 
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Oh one more question. Seems like Just Dance 2018 is asking for update. Has anybody tried updating an injected Just Dance 2018?
 

Zumoly

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That's good to know. At least I'm not the only one, which means it'll eventually be fixed. Thanks.

My guess is maybe the layered game being stuck in memory prevents another game/app from booting?
I'm not doing this myself for now but if you have two games layered onto one could you try to launch one and then the other?
Then again it won't work for now as you have no way to rename the other folder yet. Also quitting a game and trying to get into hbmenu will crash it.

Oh one more question. Seems like Just Dance 2018 is asking for update. Has anybody tried updating an injected Just Dance 2018?

I'd like to know this as well!
 
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