WE'RE CLOSED AGAIN, GO TO REINX.GUIDE​

ReiNX: It just works.​

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So, you want to install ReiNX?​

Good, you probably should. Now that it has working sigpatches, ReiNX is the most effective free CFW on the market right now! But you're gonna need to get into the thing, so that's where this helpful guide comes into play. You'll need a few things before we get started:

If you brick your Switch somehow- which would be impressive, honestly- I'm not responsible for that. If you follow these instructions to the letter, you'll have a working and more importantly sexy custom firmware on your system that will suit all your legal needs!
Installing NSP files is going to get you banned. This is only for people who are indifferent about being banned or have been banned already. You were warned.

Spoiler: Hardware

• A Nintendo Switch console
• An SD Card that's been formatted to be used by your Nintendo Switch
• A USB C to USB A cable
• Some way to get into RCM mode, please consult this comprehensive list of ways to enter RCM mode.
• The sheer willpower and hype to take your console to the next stratosphere!

Now that you have all the hardware, you'll need some software, too.
There's a file called Darth Meteos' Super Special SD Stash v5.0.zip, that has sigpatches in it to allow you to run NSP backups. Please grab it here. The zip file has everything you need for the installation ahead. It also contains the following homebrew:​

• Tinfoil (to install NSP files)
• Retroarch (all the best emulators)
• FTPD (for moving files between your PC and your Switch)
• NX-Shell (a basic file manager)
• EdiZon (for backing up/restoring/editing savegames)
• The Homebrew App-Store (for getting even more homebrew)

The zip file will also contain a bin payload to boot the CFW. However, if you've never connected your Switch to a computer, you'll need to do a couple of things first, to get the drivers playing fair. This guide is assuming that you've already done that, but if you're brand new to the scene- welcome, by the way- you'll need to do some one-time setup.​

Spoiler: First-Time Installation

You'll need these things:

• TegraRCMSmash GUI with the original TegraRCMSmash by @rajkosto and GUI additions done by @eliboa. Download the portable zip file from the latest release
• Zadig USB driver installer
• This test payload to try it out!

1. Once you've got those, connect your Switch in RCM mode to your computer. Windows will recognize an APX device. This is good!
2. Run Zadig with admin privileges. On the dropdown menu, find APX. That's your Switch!
3. Next to a green arrow, there will be a series of driver types that you can cycle through. Choose libusbK (v3.0.7.0), and do it carefully, because this is the most important step.
4. Click the big button. Congratulations, your Switch is now ready to run payloads!
5. Extract the folder from the TegraRcmGUI_vX.X_portable.zip that you downloaded, (with X.X being the version, mine is 2.1) and open TegraRCMGUI.
6. To run payloads, simply click the folder icon and browse to the testpayload.bin and inject the payload. Congratulations on running your first payload!

This only works on Windows, because that's what I have. Mac users, check elsewhere.

Now, for the main installation.

1. Power off your Switch and connect your Switch's SD Card to a computer of your choice.
2. Extract the contents of the zip file you downloaded. There'll be a bin file, an SD Files folder, as well as a little readme with more information. Check the spoilered text for what it should look like:
   Spoiler: Image

   
3. Go into the SD Files folder and drag the contents onto the root of your SD Card. Overwrite everything.
   NOTE: If you don't know your firmware, you can find it in the system settings menu. The latest (as of this writing) is 5.1.0.
4. If your card was empty except for the Nintendo folder beforehand, you should have a layout like the one in the spoiler:
   Spoiler: Image

   
5. Now that the SD Card is set up, please return it to your Nintendo Switch and enter into RCM mode through the method of your choice.
6. Using TegraRCMGUI, inject the ReiNX.bin Payload from the Stash package to get into your Switch.
7. After the splash screen vanishes and you see the Nintendo Switch logo, you can disconnect the Switch from your computer. You're in!

Accessing the homebrew menu is easy, just open the album! Inside will be the Tinfoil NSP installer and the Homebrew App Store, which in turn has basically everything you could ever want. Keep an eye on the 'Temp, though, for future updates~

When inside the homebrew menu, you can use Tinfoil to install nsp files, by placing them into the /tinfoil/nsp/ folder on your SD Card. All homebrew goes into the /switch/ folder.
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IF YOU NEED NOGC, PLEASE MAKE A FILE CALLED NOGC IN THE REINX FOLDER
READ THE FUCKIN' F.A.Q BEFORE POSTING, IF YOUR QUESTION IS ANSWERED IN THE F.A.Q, IT WILL NOT BE ANSWERED OUTSIDE OF A SNIDE REMARK, POSSIBLY

Thank you so much for making the choice to use ReiNX!
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[Justin20020]

Oh okay. I dont really care about nsp or xci. I only want to play my legit games and use some homebrews apps to play some snes games

 

[tito83]

You would have to use Hekate as ReiNX currently does not support LayeredFS.

Damm, i need it for devmenu but i can wait, this CFW is awesome

 

[ItsTheWolf]

I think you should mention backing up NAND in the first-time installation section just for the sake of completion, and by judging from many "bricking and no NAND backup" threads.
Also, splash girl is cute and all, but I have my own waifu So how do I change her?

 

[Zangrief]

Thanks for the guide, worked a treat first time with the linked files.

 

[ManuelKoegler]

No, when you install NSP's. And that's unavoidable and not the fault of the CFW.

So, just to be sure, everyone that installed/has installed NSP’s has found themselves banned?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Draxzelex]

So, just to be sure, everyone that installed/has installed NSP’s has found themselves banned?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No, not yet. But that doesn't make it safe, its just that bans don't have to be applied immediately or in a logical order of events.

 

[ManuelKoegler]

No, not yet. But that doesn't make it safe, its just that bans don't have to be applied immediately or in a logical order of events.

Haven’t been keeping up to date with the bans, so, this means there have also been bans unrelated to installing nsp’s I presume?
Because if only using CFW without nsp installs is safe, then I’m inclined to make use of it just so I can update without burnt efuses. Will wait until the kinks related to bans are worked out and in the mean time enjoy being back online again (with access to eshop).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Draxzelex]

Haven’t been keeping up to date with the bans, so, this means there have also been bans unrelated to installing nsp’s I presume?
Because if only using CFW without nsp installs is safe, then I’m inclined to make use of it just so I can update without burnt efuses. Will wait until the kinks related to bans are worked out and in the mean time enjoy being back online again (with access to eshop).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You can read up on bans in my thread: https://gbatemp.net/threads/nintendo-switch-banning-hub.508710/

From what I see, bans so far have been mostly due to either SX OS or LayeredFS. Originally, .NSP files could only be installed with DevMenu which is a ban risk in of itself because its Nintendo's property. But now we have a way to install .NSP files without it making .NSP files safer, but not 100% safe since Nintendo can still cross-check what games you installed as a .NSP with the purchases made by your Nintendo Account. Most of the ban risk was taken away with Tinfoil replacing DevMenu for this purpose but the inherent risks of installing .NSP files will always remain.

 

[ManuelKoegler]

You can read up on bans in my thread: https://gbatemp.net/threads/nintendo-switch-banning-hub.508710/

From what I see, bans so far have been mostly due to either SX OS or LayeredFS. Originally, .NSP files could only be installed with DevMenu which is a ban risk in of itself because its Nintendo's property. But now we have a way to install .NSP files without it making .NSP files safer, but not 100% safe since Nintendo can still cross-check what games you installed as a .NSP with the purchases made by your Nintendo Account. Most of the ban risk was taken away with Tinfoil replacing DevMenu for this purpose but the inherent risks of installing .NSP files will always remain.

Aha, I’ll read that thread later but thanks.
So the biggest threat is in using LayeredFS and piracy. Since I’ll just be using it to avoid eFuse burnings (for now anyway), I should be in the clear (mostly). Once you commit to hacks you’re never safe of course, but at least can keep the threat to a minimum.
What if you install an nsp of a game you own on the eshop by the way? Sorry if I’m asking questions you don’t feel like answering, and you can say so if that’s the case.


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[lolboy]

Don't be cheap. Just spend 20 bucks on SX OS and you are ready to go.

 

[Draxzelex]

Aha, I’ll read that thread later but thanks.
So the biggest threat is in using LayeredFS and piracy. Since I’ll just be using it to avoid eFuse burnings (for now anyway), I should be in the clear (mostly). Once you commit to hacks you’re never safe of course, but at least can keep the threat to a minimum.
What if you install an nsp of a game you own on the eshop by the way? Sorry if I’m asking questions you don’t feel like answering, and you can say so if that’s the case.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would say the risks are minimized even greater if your Nintendo Account is legitimately associated with whatever .NSP you install. Not 100%, but much better than if you never owned them to begin with. Also keep in mind that some users were banned for using .XCI backups of their own legitimate games. Now since Nintendo cannot cross-check those titles, its easier to just ban anyone using .XCI period. But who knows, maybe they have some mercy if you actually paid for them. After all, Nintendo's online service will not always remain so backups can be essential in some cases.

 

[magoger]

for fw 4.0.1?

 

[nando]

can one still use parental controls after being banned?

 

[my2k2zx2]

Can this play nsp that I've already installed with sx os?

 

[pandavova]

God i love that FAQ.
Thank you for the laughs (Darth) Meteos.

 

[agpixel]

Logically, if i cut internet then dump my nand (4.1.0) and update without burning fuses, and if i install some nsp, play, and then i restore my nand i can't be banned right ? Or the risk is still high ?

 

[Dvdxploitr]

People, just freaking UPDATE to 5.1.0 already! STOP STAYING ON LOW FIRMWARE!!! I'm glad this is 5.x only! You bought a Switch to play Switch games, right? If you stay on low firmware, you're just restricting yourself from playing the latest games. I wonder how many people will update or buy another Switch once Smash comes out, you know it'll require 5.1 (or maybe even the next firmware, but I doubt it)

 

[kai_dranzer2003]

]Logically, if i cut internet then dump my nand (4.1.0) and update without burning fuses, and if i install some nsp, play, and then i restore my nand i can't be banned right ? Or the risk is still high ?

Same question

 

[ShadowOne333]

People, just freaking UPDATE to 5.1.0 already! STOP STAYING ON LOW FIRMWARE!!! I'm glad this is 5.x only! You bought a Switch to play Switch games, right? If you stay on low firmware, you're just restricting yourself from playing the latest games. I wonder how many people will update or buy another Switch once Smash comes out, you know it'll require 5.1 (or maybe even the next firmware, but I doubt it)

Have you been reading about why people stay in low firmwares? Like... at all?
If you knew, you wouldn't be saying that.
An unthetered/dongle free method and a coldboot way to booting into CFW beats updating to 5.1.0 to me, even if it takes longer.

Also, is there a way to add another splash screen?
Because I f*cking hate anime lol

 

[dotaku]

Sorry if I am asking a dumb question. I did read that this will get you will get banned. But will you even get banned if you do everything offline and never go online until you delete everything and go back to your normal switch firmware?

 

[longxa762]

edit: nvm figured it out