Being true to their promise, switchroot has released their highly anticipated method of bringing Android to your Nintendo Switch console. This marks the first public release of LineageOS 15.1, and is based on a build of Android that runs on the Nvidia Shield TV. By flashing the installation image to your micro SD card, you can use Android 8.1 Oreo on the Switch, in both handheld and docked mode. Some of the features include audio support, allowing the Joy-Cons to connect through bluetooth, offering CPU and GPU performance profiles, and more.

As this is a beta release, you should be aware that there are a few bugs. Some notable issues are that sleep mode battery life is lacking, certain apps have problems with being controlled with the Joy-Cons, the screenshot function is disabled, wifi can be spotty, and a few other quirks.

If you're interested in playing around with this release, you can follow the instructions below to get started, with the download links being available in the source.

LineageOS 15.1 for Nintendo Switch by switchroot. This is the first publicly available Android ROM for the Nintendo Switch. Based on the Nvidia Shield TV builds it brings a smooth and powerful Android experience to your Switch in both handheld and docked mode.

1. Pick the image that corresponds to the size of your SD card. You can use an image that is smaller than your card. You’ll end up with the remaining space unused on your card.
2. Write the image to your SD card with e.g. balenaEtcher Do not extract the image, Etcher can handle the compressed image just fine! WARNING: This will overwrite any contents on your card! The progress bar/percentage might go haywire in Etcher, but you can ignore that. The flashing will still work and Etcher will let you know when it’s done. It can take up to an hour depending on your SD card’s speed. Also make sure not to format any of the partitions when Windows prompts you to after flashing.
3. Download GApps for Android 8.1. from OpenGApps, use ARM64. Put the file on the first partition of your new SD card
4. If desired download the "Shield-ifier" zip and place it also on the SD card. This will make your Switch identify as Nvidia Shield TV and install the Nvidia app.
5. Load hekate and boot to TWRP by holding VOL+ when you select the Android config.
6. Flash GApps zip, optionally flash other zips
7. Reboot to hekate and boot into Android
8. Complete the inital setup. For the Nvidia app to work make sure to update it from Play Store!

Source

 

[phillyrider807]

Pocket Camp works if you install it from an apk, but I'm getting error code 10102 on the title screen of Pokemon Masters.

Pokemon masters needs a vpn for it to work.

 

[Zumoly]

Overall I'm pretty satisfied. I always wanted to play Space Marshals 2 on Switch.

 

[Smoker1]

RetroArch Users - Anyone get the MAME Cores properly Configured with the Joycons? They work great In-Menu, but In-Game they do not work properly. Was able to get In-Menu with the On-Screen Overlay Controls showing, and the Listings in Controls are not showing anything.
Need for MAME, MAME2016, MAME2015

 

[tomman321]

Pokemon masters needs a vpn for it to work.

That's not the issue because I'm using a VPN. Without it, it says it's "under maintenance". With VPN I can get in on my phone but not switch. I get the error code.

 

[total_n000000b]

Is there anyway to remap the joycon controls? The control sticks are not analog but digital hence useless, middle clicks don't register and I cannot play any of the rockstar games: (GTA San Andreas etc)

 

[gamemasteru03]

Is there anyway to remap the joycon controls? The control sticks are not analog but digital hence useless, middle clicks don't register and I cannot play any of the rockstar games: (GTA San Andreas etc)

If you apply the joycon patch then the sticks will be seen as analog. You can get it on the xda thread for andriod.

 

[tomman321]

Okay installing magisk fixed pokemon masters. On another note, any one know how to fix the "Couldn't capture screenshot" when trying to screenshot with vol down and power?

 

[grootus]

Okay installing magisk fixed pokemon masters. On another note, any one know how to fix the "Couldn't capture screenshot" when trying to screenshot with vol down and power?

Known bugs:
Screenshots do not work

 

[LucasM3]

What is n64 emulation like? Full speed? Also what gaves does android have that are like console releases and not like pay to win candy crush games.

 

[Smoker1]

What is n64 emulation like? Full speed? Also what gaves does android have that are like console releases and not like pay to win candy crush games.

Mupen64Plus FZ - Works great, however, some Games do not go into the Game, or do not load for some reason.

 

[HideoKojima]

Wonder if a console can get banned if connected on Android

 

[stewacide]

Wonder if a console can get banned if connected on Android

Very very unlikely since it's not touching NAND at all.

 

[Esppiral]

Any way to acces and buy Nvidia Shield tegra games?

 

[Bryan1986]

The main things you can do now that you couldn't on Horizon

Media player(Netflix/Plex etc)
Gamestreaming(Moonlight and Geforce Now both work)
PS4 Remote play
Emulators(Drastic Dolphin)

Hi does the ps4 remote play work well?

 

[gamemasteru03]

Hi does the ps4 remote play work well?

It works but joycons dont work with it.

 

[Bryan1986]

It works but joycons dont work with it.

Thanks for the reply. Can you connect a ps4 controller to it? Prob a silly question

 

[gamemasteru03]

Thanks for the reply. Can you connect a ps4 controller to it? Prob a silly question

Yes you should be able to connect a ps4 controller to it.

 

[Deleted User]

has anyone successfully gotten nvidia shield's chinese wii games? i have shieldifier flashed but the game just doesnt work, it closes with the "has stopped." message

 

[switchnell]

I had the same problem. It worked after hiding Magisk Manager itself.

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Same here. I will wait if anyone comes up with a solution/workaround on this.

Edit: Found a good guide from XDA forum but I am not allowed to post links yet. Check it out

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For those wanting to have joycon in PS4 Remote Play. There's a new guide in XDA
Sorry I'm not allowed to post any links yet. I tested and it works great!

 

[Legend Of Kay]

Anyone know how to get Star Wars KOTOR working?