Hacking Nintendo Switch Banning Hub & Warning

[Cava]

EU people bans are getting interesting. All 3 used layeredFS and homebrews and got banned. I also used layeredFS but never used any homwbrews and i'm still OK. Maybe it is nothing but who knows.

 

[willhack]

Banned: Yes
Downloaded with CDN: No
What firmware(s) were you on when you cleared error logs prior to going online in OFW: Never did it
Disabled "Send Error Information" in System Settings: No
SX OS used: No
SX OS used while online: No
Played online SX OS Backups: No
Layered FS Used: Yes (one time)
Layered FS Used while online: No
Played online Layered FS Injects: No
Homebrew/non-TX CFW Used: Checkpoint
Connect to Internet with homebrew/CFW: No
Connect to eShop while using CFW/homebrew: No
Played with Layered FS Injects with Own Cert.: No
Can you use the eShop on the Switch: No
Can you use the eShop from a non-Switch device: Haven't tested
Backups updated: No
Wi-Fi settings deleted: No
Airplane mode: Yes
AutoRCM: No
Auto-Update Software: No
Less Fuses Burnt than Expected: No clue
Region: EUR

Great, guess now I can fully use SX OS.

Hey mind providing proof. I remember I've seen you on another thread about having bought SX OS but here you said you didn't use it.

 

[Al-hwj]

Hey mind providing proof. I remember I've seen you on another thread about having bought SX OS but here you said you didn't use it.

Hi, little more details :
I bought SX OS on launch, activated it offline but never used it for backup, only for homebrew once (Checkpoint).
Before that I used Layered FS to try backup once played for 5 min.
Always on airplane mode while in CFW.

Good news is that I can still download from eshop from a PC, I tried to download a demo and it popped on my switch.

Here is a picture proof :

 

[maxx488]

Hi, little more details :
I bought SX OS on launch, activated it offline but never used it for backup, only for homebrew once (Checkpoint).
Before that I used Layered FS to try backup once played for 5 min.
Always on airplane mode while in CFW.

Good news is that I can still download from eshop from a PC, I tried to download a demo and it popped on my switch.

Here is a picture proof :

Yea layered gets you banned.

for the small % of people that werent banned from it maybe theres 1 game that you can patch and nintendo doesnt get to know it idk

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

Yea layered gets you banned.

for the small % of people that werent banned from it maybe theres 1 game that you can patch and nintendo doesnt get to know it idk

Edit: Good luck on saturday btw

 

[Al-hwj]

Yea layered gets you banned.

for the small % of people that werent banned from it maybe theres 1 game that you can patch and nintendo doesnt get to know it idk

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



Edit: Good luck on saturday btw

What's happening on saturday ?
Edit: Nevermind, I just get it haha, good luck to you too.

 

[V-Temp]

At this point, we have a way to install .NSP. All we are really missing is a CFW that blocks/skips signature checks. Then we would Freeshop, just without Nintendo's Internet access.

I don't think patching out the check is actually what's needed, you need the key to fully open the file and DevMenu (which is itself actually exceptionally illegal to use or distribute) isn't going to get around that installation -> open requirement. You'd need some way to trick the key-check rather than patching it out.

Also, since they can patch DevMenu and the installation process on future titles, it's not really futureproof. Unless there's some other method I am unaware of, but even then they can keep updating the exact installation process on digital titles. (And the old devmenu unit would be banned out of receiving updates for obvious reasons, assuming the person who has it hasn't already been tracked down.)

 

[switchbricker]

For the sake of science I will be the Guinea pig to determine if updating backups will result in a console ban. Since I haven't found anyone else who has done it, I figured I might as well be the one.

Some data before we start:
OS: 5.0.1 before SX, 5.1.0 after (I will explain)
SX OS 1.2
Region EU
Nintendo account with transactions well over 200€*
Legit physical games owned: 6
Digital games downloaded from eshop: 7

Steps taken:
Switch used normally for 3 months.
Monday June 25th SX OS purchased and installed on console. Device has been in flight mode with WiFi connection data deleted just in case.
Backups downloaded and ran for 2 days in flight mode.
June 27th I purchased a 128gb card which was formated exFat. Could not find a way to format FAT32 so I rebooted my device with an empty SD card and performed a system update to 5.1.0 in order to use it. No logs were cleaned, I just booted into OFW by turning it off and on. While I was connected to my WiFi for the first time since SX OS being installed I checked if I could access the e-shop and I could, no issues.

After update I turned console off again, put required files back in SD card and ran SX OS, with backups once again in flight mode with WiFi settings deleted.

Today June 28th I removed the SD card with SX OS from my system and rebooted to OFW, again no logs cleaned. While in OFW with WiFi on I unlinked my Nintendo account from my user profile and proceeded to update a bunch of my pirated backups.

I will return with an update on whether or not I am banned. Currently I'm still good.

I will create a new dummy Nintendo account as I plan on getting a new switch probably later down the line and I'd like to not lose my purchases if I end up banned.

As you can see I have only used SX OS 1.2, only offline, going once online to update my system firmware and then again to update the games. I have not played with any backups online, I have not even played splatoon online which I legitimately own, I have been offline the entire time.

I believe this the most detailed and concise experiment regarding backups being updated and I hope by the end we will have concrete proof regarding the matter.

*Notes: Some people have said that there is a chance accounts with a healthy transaction history might be getting special treatment vs someone who has never bought anything, so I figured that might be a variable worth noting

I'll be doing something similar, but I do have a major LayeredFS caveat. Data provided:

Switch used normally from March 3rd to sometime mid-May 2018. (Plenty of legit transactions on account, probably at least 300 dollars)
RCM'd in May when it was on 4.1.0, did not load any homebrew online EVER.
Switch shelved until SX OS release.
SX OS purchased (June 18), Switch updated to 5.1.0 with fuses burnt (couldnt be damned).
SX OS filled with games from two 128GB cards until June 27th.
DevMenu loaded with Pokemon Quest as donor on June 27th. Made my accounts swears and loaded custom account images. Removed them all. DevMenu errored out once.
Today, June 28th, I'm going to update my 40 or so backup games. My logs are deleted. Pray for me.

Chalk this up to LayeredFS if I do get nuked. Just supplementary data.

(NOTE THAT I LOADED HOMEBREW EVEN IF I NEVER DID IT WHILE IT WAS CONNECTED TO WIFI)

 

[V-Temp]

I'll be doing something similar, but I do have a major LayeredFS caveat. Data provided:

Switch used normally from March 3rd to sometime mid-May 2018. (Plenty of legit transactions on account, probably at least 300 dollars)
RCM'd in May when it was on 4.1.0, did not load any homebrew online EVER.
Switch shelved until SX OS release.
SX OS purchased (June 18), Switch updated to 5.1.0 with fuses burnt (couldnt be damned).
SX OS filled with games from two 128GB cards until June 27th.
DevMenu loaded with Pokemon Quest as donor on June 27th. Made my accounts swears and loaded custom account images. Removed them all. DevMenu errored out once.
Today, June 28th, I'm going to update my 40 or so backup games. My logs are deleted. Pray for me.

Chalk this up to LayeredFS if I do get nuked. Just supplementary data.

(NOTE THAT I LOADED HOMEBREW EVEN IF I NEVER DID IT WHILE IT WAS CONNECTED TO WIFI)

From the data we have, bans don't arrive when you expect them. They seem to arrive whenever they feel like it.

 

[Spy Pirate Shado]

For the sake of science I will be the Guinea pig to determine if updating backups will result in a console ban. Since I haven't found anyone else who has done it, I figured I might as well be the one.

*golf clap* for doing this. I was considering saying or doing something similar to this but I prefer if I have no additional reason to try something online outside of "hey I want to play this offline with its latest update" or buy something from the eshop.

 

[ZachyCatGames]

Banned: N
Downloaded with CDN: N
What firmware(s) were you on when you cleared error logs prior to going online in OFW: 4.1.0 and 5.1.0
Disabled "Send Error Information" in System Settings: Y
SX OS used: N
SX OS used while online: N
Played online SX OS Backups: N
Layered FS Used: N
Layered FS Used while online: N
Played online Layered FS Injects: N
Homebrew/non-TX CFW Used: Y (dumped saves and played some emulators on hekate)
Connect to Internet with homebrew/CFW: Y
Connect to eShop while using CFW/homebrew: Y
Played with Layered FS Injects with Own Cert.: N
Can you use the eShop on the Switch: Y
Can you use the eShop from a non-Switch device: Y
Backups updated: N/A
Wi-Fi settings deleted: N
Airplane mode: Sometimes
AutoRCM: The one in hekate
Lowest SX OS Version used when Online/Offline (i.e 1.0, 1.1, 1.2): N/A
Auto-Update Software: N
Less Fuses Burnt than Expected: Y
Region: United States
Additional Comments

 

[Draxzelex]

-snip-

Can you please organize your information into the form? It will make my life a lot easier (and fill some of the gaps you forgot to mention).

 

[sorabora]

If it's a console ban (error 2124-4007) you won't be able to use any other account on that console. Specific account bans are more rare and usually received when cheating or reiterating a bad behavior (not 100% sure about that tho) Most of the bans reported here (if not all) are console bans, which render all current and future accounts on your system online restricted, although those accounts might be used in other systems if they are not currently linked with your banned console.

OK, so I won't risk it. I'll just use my secondary (and empty) account with my Switch and keep my legit account for when I get a second Switch down the road. Thanks!

Let's say, hypothetically, a moron started using SX OS on a Switch that contains two valid user accounts, both with their own purchases and seperate Nintendo accounts. If that moron's Switch is not yet banned, would it behoove him or her to remove those accounts post-haste in order to possibly salvage the purchases on those accounts for possible future use?

And presuming the answer to that question is "yes," is the proper method to do this via the User settings and selecting "unlink account/user" (not delete)?

Thanks

 

[Draxzelex]

Let's say, hypothetically, a moron started using SX OS on a Switch that contains two valid user accounts, both with their own purchases and seperate Nintendo accounts. If that moron's Switch is not yet banned, would it behoove him or her to remove those accounts post-haste in order to possibly salvage the purchases on those accounts for possible future use?

And presuming the answer to that question is "yes," is the proper method to do this via the User settings and selecting "unlink account/user" (not delete)?

Thanks

It depends. If the Switch used something that requires both the console's certificate and the Nintendo Account(i.e. eShop, online play, etc.), then the data is shared between both, even if they are un-linked. Nintendo usually does console bans over account bans for various reasons. One of them is because its in their best interest for you to buy a new console rather than make a new account. That way, if you buy a new console and you're willing to go clean with it, they might let you unlink the account from the banned console so you can link it to the new console. Account bans are much rarer and are associated with harsher actions such as playing SuMo early.

 

[sorabora]

It depends. If the Switch used something that requires both the console's certificate and the Nintendo Account(i.e. eShop, online play, etc.), then the data is shared between both, even if they are un-linked. Nintendo usually does console bans over account bans for various reasons. One of them is because its in their best interest for you to buy a new console rather than make a new account. That way, if you buy a new console and you're willing to go clean with it, they might let you unlink the account from the banned console so you can link it to the new console. Account bans are much rarer and are associated with harsher actions such as playing SuMo early.

Right. I understand your big-picture analysis, thanks. One thing that seemed noteworthy in the posts I quoted was the notion that those accounts are (effectively) forever locked to that particular Switch if the console gets banned. And so are the eShop purchases, obviously.

Of course this presumes console bans and not an account ban. But if it is indeed the former and not the latter when that hammer comes crashing down, it would be wise to get those accounts off the console ASAP, correct?

 

[Draxzelex]

Right. I understand your big-picture analysis, thanks. One thing that seemed noteworthy in the posts I quoted was the notion that those accounts are (effectively) forever locked to that particular Switch if the console gets banned. And so are the eShop purchases, obviously.

Of course this presumes console bans and not an account ban. But if it is indeed the former and not the latter when that hammer comes crashing down, it would be wise to get those accounts off the console ASAP, correct?

Ideally, yes but the problem is they cannot be unlinked once the console is banned without going through Nintendo. And how Nintendo decides to unlink accounts is beyond me. As it is, I have at least 2 people trying to unban their Switches which is a step further. Regardless, if you have made any purchases with that account, its definitely worth contacting Nintendo to remove it ASAP. Like I already stated, it might be in their best interest to remove it anyways. An unbanned account with a banned console is about as good as an unbanned account alone. Otherwise, you could just make a new account. Typically, most of these people have accepted the risk of being banned and made sure to not make any irrecoverable purchases beforehand.

 

[sorabora]

Ideally, yes but the problem is they cannot be unlinked once the console is banned without going through Nintendo.

The console is not (yet) banned in this hypothetical. Hence the question of whether it’s advantageous to exercise the unlinking prior to a presumed eventual console ban. That way, those accounts do not have to deal with Nintendo when/if they purchase a future console. And their eShop purchases are accessable to re-download.

I know this is a fine line to walk here, but it seems like there may be a window of opportunity here. Just looking to see if that has any basis in reality.

 

[Draxzelex]

The console is not (yet) banned in this hypothetical. Hence the question of whether it’s advantageous to exercise the unlinking prior to a presumed eventual console ban. That way, those accounts do not have to deal with Nintendo when/if they purchase a future console. And their eShop purchases are accessable to re-download.

I know this is a fine line to walk here, but it seems like there may be a window of opportunity here. Just looking to see if that has any basis in reality.

Like I said before, it depends on what the Switch has done. If its connected to any online services outside of system and game updates, then the account and console are still at risk after the un-link. Even if the Switch console generates suspicious error codes, these can be sent to Nintendo without a Nintendo Account hence why most bans are console bans and not account bans. You can and should un-link it as soon as possible but do not be surprised if your account still gets banned on a new Switch afterwards, which might end up banning that Switch console too.

 

[leonmagnus99]

what's the usual error code that you'll get if you are banned?
would you need to open the eshop to check if you are banned?

 

[xy-maps]

I wanted to update my informations again, because the list has been revised and I’m using SX OS over a week now without being banned (yet).


Banned: N
Downloaded with CDN: N
What firmware(s) were you on when you cleared error logs prior to going online in OFW: 5.1.0
Disabled "Send Error Information" in System Settings: Y
SX OS used: Y
SX OS used while online: N
Played online SX OS Backups: N
Layered FS Used: N
Layered FS Used while online: N
Played online Layered FS Injects: N
Homebrew/non-TX CFW Used: Y VBAnext on SX OS /Hekate for nand back up & clearing Logs.
Connect to Internet with homebrew/CFW: N
Connect to eShop while using CFW/homebrew: N
Played with Layered FS Injects with Own Cert.: N
Can you use the eShop on the Switch: Y
Can you use the eShop from a non-Switch device: Y
Backups updated: Y (OFW)
Wi-Fi settings deleted: N
Airplane mode: Y
AutoRCM: N
Lowest SX OS Version used when Online/Offline (i.e 1.0, 1.1, 1.2): 1.0
Auto-Update Software: N
Less Fuses Burnt than Expected: N
Region: EUR
Comments:
Bought a few games in the e-shop

 

[Thetoto]

Banned: No
Downloaded with CDN: N
What firmware(s) were you on when you cleared error logs prior to going online in OFW: 5.1.0
Disabled "Send Error Information" in System Settings: Y
SX OS used: N
SX OS used while online: N
Played online SX OS Backups: N
Layered FS Used: Y
Layered FS Used while online: Y
Played online Layered FS Injects: N
Homebrew/non-TX CFW Used: Yes, a lot, and a lot of crash too.
Connect to Internet with homebrew/CFW: Y
Connect to eShop while using CFW/homebrew: N
Played with Layered FS Injects with Own Cert.: N
Can you use the eShop on the Switch: Y
Can you use the eShop from a non-Switch device: Y
Backups updated: N
Wi-Fi settings deleted: N
Airplane mode: Y, often
AutoRCM: Hekate
Lowest SX OS Version used when Online/Offline (i.e 1.0, 1.1, 1.2): N
Auto-Update Software: Y
Less Fuses Burnt than Expected: N
Region: EUR
Additional COMMENTS : I had a lot of errors when using LayeredFS , a lot of crash when playing with DEVMENU, but still not banned.