Hacking SWITCH NOOB PARADISE - Ask questions here

[Draxzelex]

My switch is currently on 5.x firmware, and I don't currently have any interest in hacking/homebrew/piracy, but I would like to keep my options available for doing it in the future. At the same time, I would really like to be able to updeate my games and play online and everything right now, and I don't want to risk getting my console banned for doing anything. Do I currently have options for this?

The current exploit used to load all CFW is based on the hardware of the Switch, not the firmware. We determine the hardware by looking at the Serial Number of the console (an easy rule of thumb is most units bought before July 2018 should be vulnerable). Basically, you can still hack your console no matter what firmware it is on as long as the hardware isn't patched.

 

[geek_76]

You can use dOPUS or n1dus to install .XCI files. They can be found on the Switch Homebrew Appstore.

I have used XCI cutter program to split xci less than 4gb and have xc0 and xc1 files. Can I use n1dus?

 

[Draxzelex]

I have used XCI cutter program to split xci less than 4gb and have xc0 and xc1 files. Can I use n1dus?

Sure.

 

[SomeGamer]

For starters, there are really only 3 distinct CFW available: Atmosphere, SX OS, and ReiNX. Hekate is not a CFW but a bootloader; its job is to run CFW. RajNX is a bastardization of Hekate and Atmosphere that was created to spite the legal ES patches ReiNX developed but for Atmosphere.

With the terminology out of the way, the sdsetup guide is probably the best one because it links you to all currently available CFW (not sure about SX OS since its behind a paywall); it can set you up with Atmosphere, ReiNX, or both.

Thanks a lot, will give them a read! May return with additional questions though.

 

[Zarxrax]

The current exploit used to load all CFW is based on the hardware of the Switch, not the firmware. We determine the hardware by looking at the Serial Number of the console (an easy rule of thumb is most units bought before July 2018 should be vulnerable). Basically, you can still hack your console no matter what firmware it is on as long as the hardware isn't patched.

Thats what i've heard before, but then in the sticky thread about firmware compatibility, it says dont upgrade past firmware 5. I have a switch with the original hardware.

 

[Draxzelex]

Thats what i've heard before, but then in the sticky thread about firmware compatibility, it says dont upgrade past firmware 5. I have a switch with the original hardware.

It doesn't say that. When the thread got updated, the latest firmware at the time was 5.X and ever since firmware 6.0 came out, the thread hasn't been updated. Of course, most things in that thread still ring true.

 

[geek_76]

Sure.

Maybe I’m missing something.... Regarding split xci files, do the .xc0 and .xc1 files need to be in a separate folder? I select the first file and (.xc0) and it doesn’t give the option to install. Thanks in advance!

 

[Draxzelex]

Maybe I’m missing something.... Regarding split xci files, do the .xc0 and .xc1 files need to be in a separate folder? I select the first file and (.xc0) and it doesn’t give the option to install. Thanks in advance!

I've never installed a split .XCI or .NSP file but going off of on the installation instructions on the n1dus thread:

Installing files over 4GB on FAT32

• Split files using either AnalogMan151 splitNSP, or my slightly modified version in tools/splitFile.py (which handles any file extension, and set the archive bit for you (windows only)). I have made a pull request for some of the changes.
• Make sure the generated folder has the right extension (XCI or NSP), and has the archive bit set ("Folder is ready for archiving" under windows).
• The generated folder should show up under n1dus as regular NSP or XCI file.
• Install as you would normally do with n1dus!

Not sure how you generate a folder with an extension but in Windows, you can right-click on a Folder and go to Properties to enable the Archive flag.

 

[Niels Van Son]

I suppose you can't spoof the firmware with games ? I would like to play Starlink but I also want to stay on 5.1.0...

 

[Asia81]

It's possible to use ftp while the switch is in airplane mode?
local wireless?

 

[Draxzelex]

I suppose you can't spoof the firmware with games ? I would like to play Starlink but I also want to stay on 5.1.0...

Starlink doesn't require firmware 6.0

It's possible to use ftp while the switch is in airplane mode?
local wireless?

You have to enable Wi-Fi in Airplane Mode for FTP to work.

 

[Niels Van Son]

Starlink doesn't require firmware 6.0

Well it asks me to update the console to play, and the last version before 6.0 was 5.1, the firmware I'm on right now.

The update is causing the problem, but I need it because it's like half of the game itself

 

[Draxzelex]

Well it asks me to update the console to play, and the last version before 6.0 was 5.1, the firmware I'm on right now.

The update is causing the problem, but I need it because it's like half of the game itself

I believe Starlink has a day 1 update. Did you install any updates or just Starlink by itself?

 

[Niels Van Son]

I believe Starlink has a day 1 update. Did you install any updates or just Starlink by itself?

Got it to work. I installed the big day one update using tinfoil ignore required firmware version option and boom, worked.

 

[Meg1322]

Earlier I was able to boot sx os and now it won’t boot up, when I try and turn it on with the dongle, it flashes blue then green and just stays on a black screen.

 

[Switchfan456]

I have a another question. can you get ban for playing with emulators?

 

[Draxzelex]

I have a another question. can you get ban for playing with emulators?

Yes

 

[Nyaako]

So I made a NAND backup of my Switch before hacking it. If I wanted to play games online and needing to flash the back up NAND back in to avoid ban, would I keep the saves that I made for the games in CFW or would they disappear after restoring?

 

[Draxzelex]

So I made a NAND backup of my Switch before hacking it. If I wanted to play games online and needing to flash the back up NAND back in to avoid ban, would I keep the saves that I made for the games in CFW or would they disappear?

They will disappear. You can either back them up with another NAND backup or use a homebrew application save manager instead.

 

[Nyaako]

They will disappear. You can either back them up with another NAND backup or use a homebrew application save manager instead.

Ah, that's a shame. Oh well, thanks for answering!