10 Easy Steps to Mod Your Switch

The Nintendo Switch is a popular gaming console that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. However, some users may want to customize their Switch to make it more unique or to improve its performance. Modding your Switch can be a great way to add new features, change the look of your console, or even overclock it. In this article, we will discuss how to mod your Switch, including the different types of mods available and the risks involved. Also, while modding your Switch can be a fun and rewarding experience, it is important to note that it can void your warranty. It is important to weigh the risks and benefits before deciding whether or not to mod your Switch.

There are many different types of mods available for the Nintendo Switch. Some of the most common mods include: Custom themes: These mods allow you to change the look of your Switch’s home screen, menu, and other interface elements. Emulators: These mods allow you to play games from other consoles on your Switch. Overclocking: This mod allows you to increase the clock speed of your Switch’s processor, which can improve performance in some games. Homebrew software: This mod allows you to install and run unauthorized software on your Switch, which can include games, apps, and other tools. When choosing which mods to install, it is important to consider your needs and the risks involved. Some mods are relatively simple to install and use, while others are more complex and may require you to have some technical knowledge.

Before you begin modding your Switch, it is important to understand the risks involved. Modding your Switch can void your warranty and may damage your console if it is not done correctly. It is also important to be aware of the potential legal risks of modding your Switch. In some countries, it is illegal to modify your gaming console. Be sure to research the laws in your area before modding your Switch. If you are not comfortable modding your Switch yourself, you can hire a professional to do it for you. However, this will likely cost you more money. Overall, modding your Switch can be a great way to add new features, change the look of your console, or even overclock it. However, it is important to understand the risks involved before you begin modding. By following the steps in this article, you can safely and successfully mod your Switch.

Essential Tools and Materials

Must-Have Accessories

To embark on your Switch modding journey, you’ll need a few essential tools. The cornerstone of this venture is the Tri-wing Screwdriver. This specialized screwdriver is uniquely designed for Nintendo Switch consoles, enabling you to access interior components without causing damage. Its three-pronged tip ensures a secure grip, allowing you to remove screws with ease.

Accompanying the Tri-wing Screwdriver is the Phillips #00 Screwdriver. This equally crucial tool serves to remove the outer screws of the Switch. A good set of tweezers is also invaluable, providing precision handling of delicate components during the modding process. To protect your console from electrostatic discharge (ESD), an anti-static wrist strap is strongly recommended.

Additional materials you may require include a micro-USB cable for powering the Switch during the modding process. A pair of non-conductive plastic spudgers will aid in prying open the console’s exterior without scratching the finish. Lastly, a magnetic parts tray will keep all the tiny screws and components organized and within reach.

Tools	Materials
Tri-wing Screwdriver	Micro-USB cable
Phillips #00 Screwdriver	Anti-static wrist strap
Tweezers	Non-conductive plastic spudgers
	Magnetic parts tray

Unlocking the Bootloader

To begin the modding process, you must first unlock your Switch’s bootloader. This process involves exploiting a software vulnerability to gain access to the device’s root filesystem. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it:

Enable Developer Mode: Begin by activating Developer Mode on your Switch. This involves setting up a Nintendo Developer Account and registering your Switch as a development device.
Install Hekate: Download the Hekate boot loader payload and copy it to the /bootloader/payloads/ folder on your Switch’s SD card. Hekate is a custom boot loader that allows you to launch custom firmware and payloads.
Boot into Hekate: Hold down the Volume Up button while powering on your Switch. This will launch the Hekate menu. Select the “Launch” option and navigate to the “Tools” tab.
Select “Fusee-primary”: In the Tools tab, choose the “Fusee-primary” payload and launch it. This will boot into a custom firmware called Atmosphere.
Dump the Bootloader Keys: Once Atmosphere is loaded, navigate to the “Homebrew” menu and launch the “Hekate” application. Select the “Tools” tab and choose the “Dump Bootloader Keys” option. This will extract the necessary keys for unlocking the bootloader.
Install AutoRCM: AutoRCM is a utility that allows your Switch to automatically boot into Hekate, enabling you to access Atmosphere without manual intervention. Download AutoRCM and copy it to the /bootloader/payloads/ folder on your SD card. Launch Hekate again and select the “Install AutoRCM” payload from the Tools tab.
Reboot: After AutoRCM is installed, reboot your Switch by holding down the Power button and selecting the “Restart” option. Your Switch will now automatically boot into Hekate, making it easy to launch Atmosphere.

Installing CFW (Custom Firmware)

1. Preparing Your Switch

Before installing CFW, ensure your Switch meets the following requirements:

Model: Your Switch must be a regular model (not Lite or OLED), or a patched v1 Switch.
Firmware Version: Your Switch’s firmware must be below 15.0.0.
SD Card: You’ll need an SD card with at least 32GB of storage.

2. Downloading the Necessary Files

Download the following files, saving them to your SD card:

CFW Installer: Choose the latest version of Atmosphere/Hekate or SX OS.
Homebrew Menu: Required to run custom software on your Switch.
Other Apps and Tools: Optional but recommended, such as ChoiDujourNX for firmware updates and Lockpick_RCM for recovering from boot failures.

3. Entering RCM Mode and Installing CFW

Entering RCM Mode:

Power off your Switch.
Hold down the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously until the screen goes blank.
Do not release the buttons until you see the green "RCM Mode" screen.

Installing CFW:

Connect your Switch to your PC using a USB-C cable.
Run the CFW installer program on your PC.
Select the appropriate options, including the firmware you want to install and the location of the necessary files on your SD card.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

CFW Installer	Difficulty	Stability
Atmosphere/Hekate	Moderate	Higher
SX OS	Easy	Lower

Accessing the Homebrew Menu

Once you have successfully injected your Switch, you can access the Homebrew Menu by holding the volume up button while powering on the console. This will bring up a black screen with a few options, including the Homebrew Menu.

To navigate the Homebrew Menu, use the left and right buttons on the Joy-Con controllers to select an option, and the A button to confirm. The Homebrew Menu is organized into categories, such as Applications, Games, and Settings.

The Applications category contains a variety of homebrew applications, such as emulators, media players, and tools. The Games category contains homebrew games, which can be installed directly to your Switch. The Settings category allows you to configure your Homebrew Menu settings.

Here is a table summarizing the process of accessing the Homebrew Menu:

Step	Action
1	Inject your Switch with the fusee-gelee payload.
2	Hold the volume up button while powering on the console.
3	Select the Homebrew Menu option from the black screen.
4	Use the left and right buttons to navigate the Homebrew Menu, and the A button to confirm selections.

Installing Themes

To install themes on your modded Switch, you will need to download the theme you want from a reputable source. Once you have downloaded the theme, you can follow these steps to install it:

Copy the .zip file containing the theme to the /themes folder on your SD card.
Launch the Homebrew Menu and go to Theme Installer.
Select the theme you want to install and press “A”.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install the theme.
Once the theme is installed, it will be available in the System Settings menu.

Homebrew Apps

Homebrew apps are unsigned applications that can be installed on a modded Switch. These apps can be used to enhance the functionality of your Switch, such as playing emulators, backing up your saves, or installing custom themes. To install a homebrew app, you will need to download the .nro file for the app and follow these steps:

Copy the .nro file to the /switch/nro folder on your SD card.
Launch the Homebrew Menu and go to hbAppStore.
Select the app you want to install and press “A”.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install the app.
Once the app is installed, it will be available in the Homebrew Menu.

Recommended Homebrew Apps

Using Cheats and Save Editors

Cheats: Cheats are modifications that allow players to access special abilities, items, or other advantages that are not normally available in the game. They can be used to make the game easier, more difficult, or simply more interesting. To use cheats, you will need to find and install a cheat engine for your Switch. Once you have installed a cheat engine, you can use it to search for and activate cheats for your game.

Save Editors: Save editors are modifications that allow players to edit their game saves. This can be used to change character stats, inventory items, or other aspects of the game. To use a save editor, you will need to find and install a save editor for your Switch. Once you have installed a save editor, you can use it to open your game save and make changes to it.

Using a Save Editor to Gain In-Game Advantages: Save editors can be used to gain in-game advantages by modifying character stats, inventory items, or other aspects of the game. For example, you could use a save editor to give your character more health, more powerful weapons, or more money. This can make the game easier to play and can give you an advantage over other players.

However, it is important to note that using cheats and save editors can void your game warranty and may result in your account being banned from online play. It is also important to only use cheats and save editors for single-player games, as using them in multiplayer games can be considered cheating.

App Name	Description
RetroArch	Emulator for a wide range of retro consoles
NX-Shell	Customizable home menu replacement
Checkpoint	Backup and restore your save data
GoldTree	Clean up and optimize your Switch’s storage
Homebrew App Store	Discover and install homebrew apps from a curated list

Cheat Engine	Save Editor
Allows players to search for and activate cheats	Allows players to edit their game saves
Can be used to make the game easier, more difficult, or more interesting	Can be used to change character stats, inventory items, or other aspects of the game
Requires a cheat engine for your Switch	Requires a save editor for your Switch

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Encountering issues while modding your Switch? Don’t panic. Here’s a comprehensive troubleshooting guide to help you resolve common problems:

Bricked Switch

If your Switch displays a black screen or fails to boot, it may have become “bricked.” This usually occurs due to incompatible software or hardware modifications. You can attempt to unbrick your Switch using specific tools and methods.

Unresponsive Joy-Cons

Ensure that the Joy-Cons are properly connected to the console and that their batteries are charged. If they’re still unresponsive, try cleaning the Joy-Con rails and contacts with a cotton swab. You can also recalibrate the Joy-Cons by going to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Calibrate Control Sticks.

Game Card Not Recognized

Make sure that the game card is inserted correctly into the slot. Clean the contacts on the game card and console with a soft cloth. If the issue persists, try another game card to rule out a defective game card.

Overheating

The Switch can overheat due to excessive use or a faulty cooling system. Ensure the console has proper ventilation and avoid blocking the air vents. You can also consider using a cooling fan or stand to prevent overheating.

Slow Performance

If your Switch is running games slowly, try closing background applications or games. You can also update your system software or perform a factory reset. If the issue persists, it may indicate a hardware problem.

Battery Drain

To improve battery life, adjust the screen brightness, turn off unnecessary features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and avoid using the Switch while charging. You can also calibrate the battery by fully discharging it and then charging it to 100%.

Joy-Con Drift

If your Joy-Cons move on their own, you may be experiencing “drift.” This can be caused by dirt or debris accumulating in the analog sticks. Try cleaning the analog sticks with a soft brush or compressed air. You can also adjust the stick sensitivity in System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Calibrate Control Sticks.

Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues

Check if your Switch is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. Restart your router and ensure that you’re within range of the network. If the issue persists, try manually entering the network credentials or switching to a different Wi-Fi channel.

Joy-Con Desync

If one or both Joy-Cons disconnect during gameplay, try resyncing them with the console. To do this, remove and reinsert the Joy-Cons while the Switch is turned on. You can also check for firmware updates for the Joy-Cons in System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Update Controllers.

How to Mod Your Switch

Modding your Nintendo Switch can give you access to a whole new world of possibilities. From playing games from other regions to using homebrew software, there’s a lot you can do with a modded Switch. But before you get started, it’s important to understand a few things.

First, modding your Switch will void its warranty. So if you’re not comfortable with the idea of potentially damaging your console, then it’s best to avoid modding it. Second, modding your Switch can be a complex process. If you’re not confident in your technical abilities, then it’s best to find someone who can help you.

If you’re still interested in modding your Switch, then there are a few different methods you can use. The most common method is to use a software exploit called “fusee-gelee.” This exploit allows you to boot custom firmware onto your Switch, which gives you access to a variety of modding options.

Once you’ve modded your Switch, you can install homebrew software, which is software that isn’t available from the official Nintendo eShop. Homebrew software can let you do all sorts of things, such as play emulators, run media apps, and even overclock your Switch.

If you’re looking for a way to get more out of your Nintendo Switch, then modding it is a great option. However, it’s important to understand the risks involved before you get started.