The possibility of running Android on a Nintendo Switch has always been a source of discussion in the scene since its early days. Some are favourable to the idea, pointing to the Tegra X1 SoC at the heart of the console which is already found in other Android devices (not taking into account the customizations commissioned by Nintendo) and how such a port would both expand the console's capabilities and its software library. Others reject it, citing how many other devices would be able to do the same job in a better way without requiring any software modifications. Nevertheless, so far all those arguments have been the product of speculation, however it seems things may change soon as the developer Max Keller, also known as "langer hans", has shown a video of an unofficial Android port running on a Switch.

While we've already been teased with small details of such a port in the past, for example see this tweet made by @natinusala not too long ago, it's indeed the first time we're able to see a sneak peek of it in action. The video is linked down below and it showcases the OS's home screen, a couple applications including a WebKit browser test, switching between portrait and landscape mode and working WiFi & Bluetooth. Still, the GPU drivers don't behave properly at the moment which causes stuttering during operation.

Failed to fetch tweet https://twitter.com/langer_hans/status/1099436381791752192​

The poster is already known for other projects, mainly for modding other Android ROMs, however it underlines that most of the work has been done by another developer known as Billy Laws (ByLaws) who has already posted a device tree for the Switch on his GitLab account (link in the sources below). There is currently no public release nor ETA but this should come as no surprise as it's evident the port needs some work before it can be called usable.

What do you think? Are you excited about an Android port for the Switch or do you dismiss it as being just a gimmick?

Source

 

[Essasetic]

LineageOS. That's literally all I can think about.

 

[Giodude]

Holy guacamole. Excited to see what this thing can do, and I wonder if the android version is a joke or an insider build?

 

[Beerus]

would be cool if you can switch between switch os and android os

 

[BlastedGuy9905]

holy shit.

 

[Shrike]

RPGMaker MV Game Support !!!

(The real rpgmaker MV.. not the shitty console version coming out soon)

 

[altorn]

get MonoNX running in there so we have a switch emulator running in our switch!

 

[Rabbid4240]

Ok this is epic

 

[Zumoly]

I was wondering when this would show up on the frontpage!

 

[Deleted User]

I'd like to see that bluetooth feature on CFW to use wireless headphones c:

 

[leonmagnus99]

that looks really cool, but vvery Laggy for now

 

[the_randomizer]

Maybe this could be an alternative method to loading up emulators. If so, I'd be excited to use it.

 

[The Catboy]

that looks really cool, but vvery Laggy for now

But at least it's finally happening!

 

[the_randomizer]

But at least it's finally happening!

Here's to hoping the method to run it won't be a huge PITA.

 

[mustafag32g]

this is amazing! We will be able to run android APK when this gets up and running with proper GPU drivers

 

[Zumoly]

Emulators are supposedly better on android. So here's hoping gpu drivers get complete soon.

 

[nWo]

"I'm interested in this."

 

[Ericzander]

Wow, what a time to be alive.

 

[osaka35]

if only it had gps so i could play pokemon go on a nintendo device.

 

[chocoboss]

They will probably make some change to NVIDIA shield driver then it will be fully usable