Hacking SWITCH NOOB PARADISE - Ask questions here

[Aglae Pheryl]

Hi,

I have two usd cards booting Atmo (they seem to have a different structure) but this is not the goal of this question.
I have generated some sort of corruption on one of them when migrating to fw 20.4 (thread here: https://gbatemp.net/threads/issue-updating-fw-20-4-0.675172/)
Looks like it is very hard to get some answer to fix. So I am wondering if it'd be quicker if I backed up the games and formatted the card and created the structure again (I totally forgot how to create a new card). Can someone help ? I need to understand what folder holds the games and how to recreate the card to move back the games in the end ?
Thanks,

 

[parapapa]

Which title installer are you using? I used to use latest Russian DBI for everything so far but tried a few games with sphaira and so far so good. The only thing I haven't tested was installing a game with large amount of DLCs like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Try reinstalling the game with sphaira and see if it works.

I used to use DBI to install games (one in english).
After messing around with this pack someone sugested to me trying to solve the issues (with it I was unable to launch the system, so I went back to the HATS pack), I ended up with three DBI icons instead of one on the hbmenu. They are in russian, spanish and english.
When I launch them they show this message: "Missing required keys in /switch/prod.keys file. Some program functions will be unavailable. Reboot into Hekate and use Lockpick_RCM.bin payload to dump keys to SysNAND."

I'm very noob so I haven't tried to follow these "Lockpick_RCM.bin" steps because I'm too scared to break more stuff

How to install games with sphaira:

1) Before you do anything, you have to enable emuMMC (or sysMMC, whichever you're currently using). sphaira has that turned off by default so that users wouldn't install games or forwarders to the sysMMC which will lead to a ban if you don't know what you're doing. Using emuMMC should be fine if you've blocked the Nintendo servers beforehand. To do that go to sphaira > Menu Options > Advanced Options > Install Options > set Enable emummc to On.
2) I'd suggest running the sphaira in full RAM mode instead of Applet mode. To do this, either hold R button before starting a game so that you enter homebrew menu in full RAM mode or create a sphaira forwarder (Go to sphaira > locate sphaira app > Options > Install Forwarder (won't be listed as an option unless you enable emummc/sysmmc) > Install.
3) Once you open sphaira in full RAM mode, go to Menu Options > Network Options > set MTP to On and connect your Switch to the PC. You should see a folder pop up on your PC with a bunch of partitions. The one you're looking for is the Install (NSP, XCI, NSZ, XCZ) partition.
4) Press B to go back once and go to Misc Options > MTP Install. Now, drag and drop to the install partition whatever you want to install to your Switch.


Not bellow 20.0.0 as that would require formatting the emuNAND as USER partition apparently becomes invalid. However, if you aren't using a lot of mods for games like Zelda BoTW and ToTK or lots of sys-modules, you won't see much of a difference being on the latest firmware compared to the lower firmware like 18.1.0 (except for the game icons loading a bit too slow).

I think my Switch uses "sysMMC" not the emulated one (emuMMC I guess). Can I still follow this steps to intall games using sphaira? To play games I have to select the "SYSMMC CFW" blue icon on the hekate menu.

I don't know if it's worth mentioning, but sometimes the restart menu gets very laggy.

 

[BoRdiUmS]

I updated atmosphere and hekate, and got some sigpatches from here. However, tried to install one certain plumber game set in a galaxy. Managed to install it but checking home page, its a blank icon with a loading symbol? Anyone know what is happenig?

 

[parapapa]

1) Before you do anything, you have to enable emuMMC (or sysMMC, whichever you're currently using). sphaira has that turned off by default so that users wouldn't install games or forwarders to the sysMMC which will lead to a ban if you don't know what you're doing. Using emuMMC should be fine if you've blocked the Nintendo servers beforehand. To do that go to sphaira > Menu Options > Advanced Options > Install Options > set Enable emummc to On.
2) I'd suggest running the sphaira in full RAM mode instead of Applet mode. To do this, either hold R button before starting a game so that you enter homebrew menu in full RAM mode or create a sphaira forwarder (Go to sphaira > locate sphaira app > Options > Install Forwarder (won't be listed as an option unless you enable emummc/sysmmc) > Install.
3) Once you open sphaira in full RAM mode, go to Menu Options > Network Options > set MTP to On and connect your Switch to the PC. You should see a folder pop up on your PC with a bunch of partitions. The one you're looking for is the Install (NSP, XCI, NSZ, XCZ) partition.
4) Press B to go back once and go to Misc Options > MTP Install. Now, drag and drop to the install partition whatever you want to install to your Switch.

I followed these steps enabling the sysMMC option and got this error:
"SphairaError_KeyFailedDecyptETicketDeviceKey
Install Failed
If this message appears repeatedly, please open an issue.
https://github.com/ITotalJustice/sphaira/issues"

 

[Hayato213]

I updated atmosphere and hekate, and got some sigpatches from here. However, tried to install one certain plumber game set in a galaxy. Managed to install it but checking home page, its a blank icon with a loading symbol? Anyone know what is happenig?

blank icon with loading symbol mean it didn't install correctly.

 

[BoRdiUmS]

blank icon with loading symbol mean it didn't install correctly.

Thanks, got it working.

However, after updating atmosphere and hekate and sigpatches, some games do not load anymore and ask to be redownloaded?

 

[ganons]

Getting this error when trying to install Galaxy.

Switch is on Atmos 18.1.0

 

[Ozz465]

Need a bit of help guys
V1 switch in the 1st 10 updates or so ( barely used) was on OS x now need to update . what do you guys recomend ? just point me in the right direction . thx

 

[Hayato213]

Thanks, got it working.

However, after updating atmosphere and hekate and sigpatches, some games do not load anymore and ask to be redownloaded?

You probably didn't place the patches in the correct space, if sigpatches doesn't work you can use sys patches.

Post automatically merged: Oct 3, 2025

Getting this error when trying to install Galaxy.

Switch is on Atmos 18.1.0

I believe it need firmware 20.3.0 base off report, Im not sure if you can patched to 18.1.0

 

[dragonz]

I’ve got the oldest model Switch, and it’s modded—running Adrenaline and emulators like Flycast (Dreamcast) and DuckStation (PS1). Lately, I’ve noticed a weird issue with my left Joy-Con: sometimes when I boot up the system, the controller starts sliding to the right (or another direction) on its own. I have to undock and re-dock it to stop the movement.

This glitch also happens randomly while navigating emulator menus—like Flycast’s settings or DuckStation’s game selection. It’s even occurred during gameplay, though that’s rare. Interestingly, I almost never see this issue when playing official Switch games like Super Mario 3D World or Smash Bros.

Any idea what’s going on? Is this a hardware issue, a firmware conflict, or something with the emulators themselves? Do I need a new controller?

 

[Blythe93]

I followed these steps enabling the sysMMC option and got this error:
"SphairaError_KeyFailedDecyptETicketDeviceKey
Install Failed
If this message appears repeatedly, please open an issue.
https://github.com/ITotalJustice/sphaira/issues"

I wonder if sphaira needs keys to be dumped prior to using it? Try running the latest Lockpick_RCM to dump your keys and try again.

I'm very noob so I haven't tried to follow these "Lockpick_RCM.bin" steps because I'm too scared to break more stuff

You probably won't break anything. Make sure that you put the bin file in the bootloader/payloads folder, reboot to Hekate and launch payload from there (or to RCM and send the Lockpick_RCM payload). Once there, follow the on-screen instructions in order to dump the keys. Since you're using sysMMC, I assume it's up to date? If so, dump the sysMMC keys. Once done reboot to hekate and launch Atmosphere CFW.

When I launch them they show this message: "Missing required keys in /switch/prod.keys file. Some program functions will be unavailable. Reboot into Hekate and use Lockpick_RCM.bin payload to dump keys to SysNAND."

Ah, so it could be that it happens because you're missing those keys.

I think my Switch uses "sysMMC" not the emulated one (emuMMC I guess). Can I still follow this steps to intall games using sphaira? To play games I have to select the "SYSMMC CFW" blue icon on the hekate menu.

If you've already installed the games that you don't own to the sysMMC, your sysMMC is already dirty so it doesn't matter if you use sphaira to install stuff onto your sysMMC as well.

However, after updating atmosphere and hekate and sigpatches, some games do not load anymore and ask to be redownloaded?

Try sys-patch instead? It will work alongside sigpatches, but personally I'd remove sigpatches as they are kinda inferior to the sys-patch which does the same thing (and more?).
To do that, remove pretty much everything that's usually included in sigpatches archive file i.e.:

• folders es_patches, nfim_ctest and nim-prodinfo-blank-fix from the atmosphere/exefs_patches folder.
• folders fs_patches and loader_patches from the atmosphere/kip_patches folder.
• patches.ini file from the bootloader folder.

Also, remove the kip1patch=nosigchk line from your hekate_ipl.ini file and reboot.
If the games still don't work, try reinstalling them with sphaira or DBI, both of which worked just fine for me.

Getting this error when trying to install Galaxy.

Switch is on Atmos 18.1.0

According to @hippy dave, you'll need to patch the NSP file in order to work on lower firmware with renxpack via Switch Army Knife. Otherwise, it should work on 20.3.0.

 

[ganons]

Is daybreak still the best way to update to 20.3.0? What about patches?

 

[Blythe93]

Is daybreak still the best way to update to 20.3.0?

Indeed.

What about patches?

If you're talking about game patches, you should install them the same way you install games and DLC files, with the title installer. I suggest sphaira or DBI.

 

[ganons]

Indeed.


If you're talking about game patches, you should install them the same way you install games and DLC files, with the title installer. I suggest sphaira or DBI.

No to play backups, don't you need some patches? Forgot what is was.

 

[Blythe93]

No to play backups, don't you need some patches? Forgot what is was.

Ah, you're talking about sigpatches. I'd suggest getting the sys-patch instead nowadays. Here's what you need to remove:

• folders es_patches, nfim_ctest and nim-prodinfo-blank-fix from the atmosphere/exefs_patches folder.
• folders fs_patches and loader_patches from the atmosphere/kip_patches folder.
• patches.ini file from the bootloader folder.

Also, remove the kip1patch=nosigchk line from your hekate_ipl.ini file and reboot once you copy over the sys-patch.

 

[ganons]

Ah, you're talking about sigpatches. I'd suggest getting the sys-patch instead nowadays. Here's what you need to remove:

• folders es_patches, nfim_ctest and nim-prodinfo-blank-fix from the atmosphere/exefs_patches folder.
• folders fs_patches and loader_patches from the atmosphere/kip_patches folder.
• patches.ini file from the bootloader folder.

Also, remove the kip1patch=nosigchk line from your hekate_ipl.ini file and reboot once you copy over the sys-patch.

Deleted atmosphere folder and transferred new one and those folders are not present. So far working but when wifi is on get atmosphere crash, works when disabled. Did this https://gbatemp.net/threads/error-2123-0011-0x167b.643562/ and updated host but wont connect to internet so cant go on hb store. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Blythe93]

Deleted atmosphere folder and transferred new one and those folders are not present. So far working but when wifi is on get atmosphere crash, works when disabled. Did this https://gbatemp.net/threads/error-2123-0011-0x167b.643562/ and updated host but wont connect to internet so cant go on hb store. What am I doing wrong?

Not really sure. sys-patch should've taken care of that crash, though, and DNS MITM is necessary to use before connecting to the Internet anyway in order to block Nintendo servers. Double check if you have set up everythiing correctly, not sure what may be the culprit.

 

[nutsack]

Are there any major downsides to upgrading from 18.1 to say 20.3 other than the pain of going from vanilla AMS to Hekate assuming the only homebrew apps I use are DBI, the overclocking tool that let you push memory clocks to 1866 MHz (forgot the exact name but was critically needed for TOTK to run a steady framerate), and retroarch? Kind of tempted to just buy SM Galaxy 2 on my Switch 2 to not have to jump through all the hoops to play it on my Switch 1. Heard OFW 20 breaks a bunch of homebrew but I barely use homebrew apps so wondering if those three are ok on 20.x. I don't care about any of the shops for example since I'd rather just store xci/nsp on a hard drive and manually install with DBI.

 

[ShinLarc]

I was wanting to update my switch to 20.5.0 so i can play some recent games. I used to find the firmware files on a website but they no longer update. Is there another way i should be updating or something?

 

[Blythe93]

I was wanting to update my switch to 20.5.0 so i can play some recent games. I used to find the firmware files on a website but they no longer update. Is there another way i should be updating or something?

There's a certain Github page and a certain well-known website that hosts those firmware files. It's not hard to find them, only a quick Google search away.