Switch V2 NAND upgrade updated version

[Sanochi]

Hi everyone I upgraded my Switch V2 NAND to 256GB and wrote a new guide after running into issues with existing ones.

it was quite the extensive guide but this site is blocking me because it contains banned keywords though it won't tell me which so I'm just posting a tl;dr. These are the changes I've made from the original tutorial I followed from sthetix.

• Used UMS Loader instead of Memloader
  • memloader refused to boot. UMS loader does give a warning message in nandpart but everything still works as it should.
• Made a custom Hekate version to bypass NAND size check.
  • The old one mentioned in all guides did not work
• Required Python 3.8 with pyqt5 5.12.3, wmi 1.4.9 and pywin32for NAND partition resizing with nandpart
  • The latest python version does not work with the packages required for nandpart
• Restored firmware using Hekate or NxNandManager
  • I had an error from my SD card so I resorted to restoring it using NxNandManager

I do not know if I had all these issues initially because I have a V2 or just because I'm clumsy. The original guide might work fine for you, if it doesn't, I hope the above information can be of help.

 

[NoCaPo]

Where did you buy the NAND?

 

[Sanochi]

Where did you buy the NAND?

Aliexpress

I ordered the KLMEG8UCTA-B041 but the seller could not get them in time so he suggested the KLMEG8UERM-C041. The C041 is just an older generation of the other one so it was not an issue for me.

Instead of desoldering the original NAND I also bought a donor emmc pcb from aliexpress which costed me 10 euro. This was not necessary but I wanted to keep my original NAND untouched.

 

[NoCaPo]

All the possible ways to increase storage seem great to me. This one allows you to combine an SD card with the expanded internal storage. Since it's NAND, I assume the speed will be very good. I've been looking around and see a wide variety of prices, but most are very high. I've only found one seller who has them for €27 with shipping included for 256GB; the rest are €80-100, so I don't know if I'm missing something.

To increase the console's capacity, I saw a thread on the forum a while back that considered using an adapter like the ones available for the PSP, into which you can insert multiple cards. I haven't found it again, nor do I know if the project is still ongoing. However, it was interesting, cheap, and accessible for everyone.

I don't know how no Chinese seller on Aliexpress has thought of selling expanded NAND modules for V1-V2 yet.

 

[Sanochi]

All the possible ways to increase storage seem great to me. This one allows you to combine an SD card with the expanded internal storage. Since it's NAND, I assume the speed will be very good. I've been looking around and see a wide variety of prices, but most are very high. I've only found one seller who has them for €27 with shipping included for 256GB; the rest are €80-100, so I don't know if I'm missing something.

To increase the console's capacity, I saw a thread on the forum a while back that considered using an adapter like the ones available for the PSP, into which you can insert multiple cards. I haven't found it again, nor do I know if the project is still ongoing. However, it was interesting, cheap, and accessible for everyone.

I don't know how no Chinese seller on Aliexpress has thought of selling expanded NAND modules for V1-V2 yet.

I paid around 30 Euro for the NAND and haven't had any problem with it so far.

It doesn't require any specialized tools besides a hot air gun. A bonus is that because its such a small PCB, you can heat it from the bottom. Do take care not to melt the connector, use heat shields. Almost all IC's from AliExpress come with solderballs already applied so you don't have to add them anymore, which is the process that would require the most tools.

In order to align the module perfectly I use 2 tricks:

• Using a precision knife I scratch the surface VERY LIGHTLY around where the original IC is located. Again, do this very lightly so you don't damage the traces, you can just rest the tip of your blade against it and drag it. Gravity is enough for a good new knife. If you don't know how hard to press, just test it out on a PCB you have somewhere.
  
  
• Place the IC on the PCB as good as you can, after that press on it with your thumb(s) and try to rotate it very carefully. The pads where it should be soldered on the PCB, if you've cleaned it with copper wick, is slightly deeper. Putting pressure on the IC and rotating it slots it in place and it's almost always perfectly fitted like this. Begin by pressing on it softly and get a feel for how hard you need to press. You will feel it sliding into the indents of the solder pads. It will stick to your finger so hold it in place with tweezers and take your finger off.

If some pads of the PCB are wicked away when cleaning, it might be OK. Not all pads are connected. I lost 3 pads but it had no effect on the working of the module.

As for flux usage, after cleaning everything I put some on the PCB and spread it around with a paper towel so that most is gone. After it starts melting I added some more flux via the sides. Do not use too much flux or your NAND will float away.


I don't really see the modules being sold somewhere anytime soon. If a NAND module is 10 Euro and a NAND is 30, that would make 40 Euro for BOM costs to which you need to add labor. So even the cheapest technician would probably still have to ask around 60-80 Euro for one module without shipping. Not many people will be prepared to pay that. The buyer would also need to do all the data cloning which requires some figuring out as well. I did this whole project mainly because I wanted to improve my BGA soldering skills without loosing too much money.