Modding my NS XWK in 2025

[SirCartier]

So as the title says I’m trying to mod my NS is a XKW model. I did some people talk about hwfly and picofly chips but I don’t know which one to get. Also the threads I saw were from 3 years ago and people got those chips for 90$ I entered AliExpress and I find them for 7$ and I don’t know if they not the right ones (added images of said products) idk if it’s because in Europe AliExpress prices are lower than the US. But yeah I would love if someone could guide me.

 

[thesjaakspoiler]

Picofly is like open source with a very active community who are very helpful when things don't go as planned.
In general it works on most consoles, some models with certain eMMCs might have issues.
So check what emmc brand you have and check the forum.

HWFly is like closed sources with less information when it doesn't work.

In the beginning the HWFly was a complete kit with flex cables that was easy to install.
So that was why it was popular.
But the picofly now also gets offered as a kit with flex cables to make the installation easy.

Installation with a DAT0 adapter for the emmc is pretty straight foward but isn't always that reliable.
Some people are very good at installing those and never experience problems.
But they can go bad after a while if the seller doesn't send you a good one.
The kamikaze mod is more like a permanent connection which is perfectly stable and won't go bad.

You need microsoldering equipment, a microscope and a steady hand.
There is a lot of mayhem in the Picofly sticky thread, usually caused by people who overesitmated their skills.
Everything is very small so it is easy to damage something even when just removing the CPU shield.
https://gbatemp.net/threads/picofly-a-hwfly-switch-modchip.622701/
https://gbatemp.net/threads/picofly-aio-thread.628951/

 

[Hayato213]

The 90 dollars one are the original hwfly. No longer in stock.

 

[SirCartier]

Thank you for your extensive answer I believe it’s really helpful but I’m still learning about all the terms so I think im missing a lot of what you explain, for example things like emmc or DATA0. I have soldering skills as thats what I do for a living just never done it on switch I have done soldering on nds lite but ofc they nothing close. But if you could tell me where I can get the picofly piece and any tutorials on how to install it I would really appreciate it.
Also would it be worth it to pay someone to do it, I don’t know no one in my area would (CT) yet if you guys know and what’s the price range for my switch? Thank you very much again

 

[Hayato213]

Thank you for your extensive answer I believe it’s really helpful but I’m still learning about all the terms so I think im missing a lot of what you explain, for example things like emmc or DATA0. I have soldering skills as thats what I do for a living just never done it on switch I have done soldering on nds lite but ofc they nothing close. But if you could tell me where I can get the picofly piece and any tutorials on how to install it I would really appreciate it.
Also would it be worth it to pay someone to do it, I don’t know no one in my area would (CT) yet if you guys know and what’s the price range for my switch? Thank you very much again

If you can't solder then hire someone else to do it, probably cost around 100 euros.

 

[l7777]

Thank you for your extensive answer I believe it’s really helpful but I’m still learning about all the terms so I think im missing a lot of what you explain, for example things like emmc or DATA0. I have soldering skills as thats what I do for a living just never done it on switch I have done soldering on nds lite but ofc they nothing close. But if you could tell me where I can get the picofly piece and any tutorials on how to install it I would really appreciate it.
Also would it be worth it to pay someone to do it, I don’t know no one in my area would (CT) yet if you guys know and what’s the price range for my switch? Thank you very much again

Search Youtube for install videos. They will show most of the options.

 

[SirCartier]

If you can't solder then hire someone else to do it, probably cost around 100 euros.

I mean I know how to solder just don’t know where to get the pieces I need

Post automatically merged: May 21, 2025

Search Youtube for install videos. They will show most of the options.

Thanks but I think what I’m missing is the pieces I need because I can’t find any hwfly and the stuff I find in AliExpress is like 8$ I’m not sure if it’s the right pieces (I added pictures in my post if you could check them)

 

[Nephiel]

Here's a useful guide for that: https://gbatemp.net/download/a-definitive-picofly-install-guide.37968/

AliExpress chips can be hit or miss, I would recommend the Waveshare RP2040 boards instead.