I have a few questions regarding updating and banning. Please bear with me for a bit while I explain where I'm at and what my goal is.
Background:
- I have never installed or run any homebrew, xcis, nsps, etc. on my Switch.
- Every game I've played on my Switch is a legitimate physical cartridge and 1 eshop purchase.
- What I HAVE done is start into RCM last year while on firmware 4.1.0 to back up my NAND using Hekate, enable AutoRCM, and manually update to 5.1.0 (which was current at the time) so that I could download game updates. (This was before ChoidujourNX was released). I continued using the stock firmware with AutoRCM enabled.
- My Switch is still on 5.1.0 with 5 fuses burned and has remained offline since just before the 6.0 firmware push.
- After reading several months ago that Atmosphere blocks telemetry and prevents firmware updates from disabling AutoRCM, I decided to copy the Atmosphere files to my SD card. When I booted up, I saw the Atmosphere logo, but I don't remember anything more about it. It would have been just whatever default settings. My intention at the time was to update to the 6.x firmware, but was too uncertain about it, so I never did. I've still not gone online since the 6.0 push last year.
- About a month ago, my wife finally turned off the Switch, so I used Hekate to boot the stock firmware again (AutoRCM still enabled).
Where I'm at now:
- I've collected a LOT of cartridges, but everything since early March requires a firmware update.
My goal:
- I want to preserve my fuses.
- I want to avoid a ban because I still have several download codes for games and DLC that came with purchased cartridges that I need to redeem (such as Bayonetta, Resident Evil Revelations 2, etc.)
- I want to update so I can play my more recent purchases.
- I'd like to be able to download game updates, but I've probably missed the boat on that for now, since 8.0 is out and it sounds like I should avoid that for now.
- I have no interest in piracy, and currently no interest in homebrew, but I do want to keep my Switch able to run homebrew in the future.
Questions:
- If I boot with Atmosphere, will the telemetry blocks make it safe to download game updates? Are there any custom settings that need to be set, or is the default okay?
- Can I update the firmware online with Atmosphere running to keep AutoRCM and prevent burning fuses?
- Should I boot with Atmosphere and do a system update from a cartridge? (I don't know if these cartridges include a firmware update, or if they're just wanting me to download if from online).