WE'RE CLOSED AGAIN, GO TO REINX.GUIDE​

ReiNX: It just works.​

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So, you want to install ReiNX?​

Good, you probably should. Now that it has working sigpatches, ReiNX is the most effective free CFW on the market right now! But you're gonna need to get into the thing, so that's where this helpful guide comes into play. You'll need a few things before we get started:

If you brick your Switch somehow- which would be impressive, honestly- I'm not responsible for that. If you follow these instructions to the letter, you'll have a working and more importantly sexy custom firmware on your system that will suit all your legal needs!
Installing NSP files is going to get you banned. This is only for people who are indifferent about being banned or have been banned already. You were warned.

Spoiler: Hardware

• A Nintendo Switch console
• An SD Card that's been formatted to be used by your Nintendo Switch
• A USB C to USB A cable
• Some way to get into RCM mode, please consult this comprehensive list of ways to enter RCM mode.
• The sheer willpower and hype to take your console to the next stratosphere!

Now that you have all the hardware, you'll need some software, too.
There's a file called Darth Meteos' Super Special SD Stash v5.0.zip, that has sigpatches in it to allow you to run NSP backups. Please grab it here. The zip file has everything you need for the installation ahead. It also contains the following homebrew:​

• Tinfoil (to install NSP files)
• Retroarch (all the best emulators)
• FTPD (for moving files between your PC and your Switch)
• NX-Shell (a basic file manager)
• EdiZon (for backing up/restoring/editing savegames)
• The Homebrew App-Store (for getting even more homebrew)

The zip file will also contain a bin payload to boot the CFW. However, if you've never connected your Switch to a computer, you'll need to do a couple of things first, to get the drivers playing fair. This guide is assuming that you've already done that, but if you're brand new to the scene- welcome, by the way- you'll need to do some one-time setup.​

Spoiler: First-Time Installation

You'll need these things:

• TegraRCMSmash GUI with the original TegraRCMSmash by @rajkosto and GUI additions done by @eliboa. Download the portable zip file from the latest release
• Zadig USB driver installer
• This test payload to try it out!

1. Once you've got those, connect your Switch in RCM mode to your computer. Windows will recognize an APX device. This is good!
2. Run Zadig with admin privileges. On the dropdown menu, find APX. That's your Switch!
3. Next to a green arrow, there will be a series of driver types that you can cycle through. Choose libusbK (v3.0.7.0), and do it carefully, because this is the most important step.
4. Click the big button. Congratulations, your Switch is now ready to run payloads!
5. Extract the folder from the TegraRcmGUI_vX.X_portable.zip that you downloaded, (with X.X being the version, mine is 2.1) and open TegraRCMGUI.
6. To run payloads, simply click the folder icon and browse to the testpayload.bin and inject the payload. Congratulations on running your first payload!

This only works on Windows, because that's what I have. Mac users, check elsewhere.

Now, for the main installation.

1. Power off your Switch and connect your Switch's SD Card to a computer of your choice.
2. Extract the contents of the zip file you downloaded. There'll be a bin file, an SD Files folder, as well as a little readme with more information. Check the spoilered text for what it should look like:
   Spoiler: Image

   
3. Go into the SD Files folder and drag the contents onto the root of your SD Card. Overwrite everything.
   NOTE: If you don't know your firmware, you can find it in the system settings menu. The latest (as of this writing) is 5.1.0.
4. If your card was empty except for the Nintendo folder beforehand, you should have a layout like the one in the spoiler:
   Spoiler: Image

   
5. Now that the SD Card is set up, please return it to your Nintendo Switch and enter into RCM mode through the method of your choice.
6. Using TegraRCMGUI, inject the ReiNX.bin Payload from the Stash package to get into your Switch.
7. After the splash screen vanishes and you see the Nintendo Switch logo, you can disconnect the Switch from your computer. You're in!

Accessing the homebrew menu is easy, just open the album! Inside will be the Tinfoil NSP installer and the Homebrew App Store, which in turn has basically everything you could ever want. Keep an eye on the 'Temp, though, for future updates~

When inside the homebrew menu, you can use Tinfoil to install nsp files, by placing them into the /tinfoil/nsp/ folder on your SD Card. All homebrew goes into the /switch/ folder.
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IF YOU NEED NOGC, PLEASE MAKE A FILE CALLED NOGC IN THE REINX FOLDER
READ THE FUCKIN' F.A.Q BEFORE POSTING, IF YOUR QUESTION IS ANSWERED IN THE F.A.Q, IT WILL NOT BE ANSWERED OUTSIDE OF A SNIDE REMARK, POSSIBLY

Thank you so much for making the choice to use ReiNX!
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[Draxzelex]

Hi there, noob here... I'm just getting into the Switch's scene and I had a couple of questions before messing with my console since I'm so confused, if you don't mind lol.
What's the difference between ReiNX and Atmosphere? Not to encourage piracy but, is it ever going to be possible to install NSP and XCI's without getting banned? And finally, are messing with the joycon and/or AutoRCM ever going to be the only ways to get into RCM, or can we expect a "better" "safer" way to do so in the future? Thanks for all your hard work!

1. ReiNX is going to be a set of patches applied to your firmware to let you do certain things while Atmosphere is going to replace the entire OS in the Switch (Horizon) where new features will be added as plug-ins.
2. It is technically impossible to not be banned with .NSPs and .XCIs but if you want to reduce your chances, make a NAND backup before hacking your console and restore it before going online (also be sure to make another NAND backup before you restore it so you don't lose your hacked data)
3. There are unreleased exploits that work up to 4.1 that don't involve RCM but loading a webpage instead and work up to 4.1 for now. Do not update past this firmware if you wish to use those exploits

 

[Murakur0]

1. ReiNX is going to be a set of patches applied to your firmware to let you do certain things while Atmosphere is going to replace the entire OS in the Switch (Horizon) where new features will be added as plug-ins.
2. It is technically impossible to not be banned with .NSPs and .XCIs but if you want to reduce your chances, make a NAND backup before hacking your console and restore it before going online (also be sure to make another NAND backup before you restore it so you don't lose your hacked data)
3. There are unreleased exploits that work up to 4.1 that don't involve RCM but loading a webpage instead and work up to 4.1 for now. Do not update past this firmware if you wish to use those exploits

Thanks for the quick reply!

1. In that sense, which one would you say is better o perhaps more useful?
2. So any kind of backup will always cause a ban, any chance that could change in the future or its just not possible at all?
3. I'm at 5.1 so messing with the joycon is my only choice I suppose haha.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Draxzelex]

Thanks for the quick reply!

1. In that sense, which one would you say is better o perhaps more useful?
2. So any kind of backup will always cause a ban, any chance that could change in the future or its just not possible at all?
3. I'm at 5.1 so messing with the joycon is my only choice I suppose haha.

Thanks for your help!

1. The appeal of ReiNX is free backup launching. Not sure what else it will add but Atmosphere can do what it does and more (granted someone adds those features to it)
2. Any modifications to your console can warrant a ban
3. So far, we only know of exploits for 4.1 and below. Its possible exploits exist for higher firmwares but that is not our concern currently as majority of Nintendo Switch units are vulnerable to the RCM exploit

 

[Darth Meteos]

hey @Draxzelex
isn't this thread a bit... sticky
like, it's stuck to something
maybe we should clean off the stickyness
with a pin, maybe

 

[titaniuml]

1. The appeal of ReiNX is free backup launching. Not sure what else it will add but Atmosphere can do what it does and more (granted someone adds those features to it)
2. Any modifications to your console can warrant a ban
3. So far, we only know of exploits for 4.1 and below. Its possible exploits exist for higher firmwares but that is not our concern currently as majority of Nintendo Switch units are vulnerable to the RCM exploit

Thanks for all the answers.

I have a few more questions if you don't mind, since in a noob as well.

I know you said installing nsp will get us banned no matter what. But if I never go online, will I still somehow be detected? Say I decided to delete everything and revert to original fw year later, then went online, will I still get banned?

And is Atmosphere out yet? If not, am I better off waiting for it? I don't mind waiting if it's going to be the better version. Also, say I go with reinx first, can I switch to atmosphere later?

Edit: oh and one last question sorry. I was going to go with xecuter OS, the free version. But I saw reinx has all goodness from that. Is that correct?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Draxzelex]

Thanks for all the answers.

I have a few more questions if you don't mind, since in a noob as well.

I know you said installing nsp will get us banned no matter what. But if I never go online, will I still somehow be detected? Say I decided to delete everything and revert to original fw year later, then went online, will I still get banned?

And is Atmosphere out yet? If not, am I better off waiting for it? I don't mind waiting if it's going to be the better version. Also, say I go with reinx first, can I switch to atmosphere later?

Edit: oh and one last question sorry. I was going to go with xecuter OS, the free version. But I saw reinx has all goodness from that. Is that correct?

Thanks in advance!

1. Yes
2. No CFW is permanent. If you want to be super technical, parts of Atmosphere are implemented in ReiNX so using ReiNX right now means you're using both.
3. Free SX OS can only play homebrews, not backups. ReiNX can play backups, but only those in .NSP format. Paid SX OS on the other hand can play backups in both .XCI and .NSP format

 

[WallsAreLiquid]

As far as I know, Hekate+Atmosphere tandem is capable to apply "nogc" patch to prevent gamecard slot firmware update. What are my options, if I want to use ReiNX and save gamecard slot for usage after restoring pre-4.0.0 firmware?

 

[ShadowOne333]

As far as I know, Hekate+Atmosphere tandem is capable to apply "nogc" patch to prevent gamecard slot firmware update. What are my options, if I want to use ReiNX and save gamecard slot for usage after restoring pre-4.0.0 firmware?

Given how there such a KIP to prevent system updates from updating the cart slot, I am wondering if perhaps the same can be done but to disable fuse burning on a system update. Perhaps a kip or something else?

I already know there is a way to update without burning the fuses, but it is somewhat cumbersome and time consuming.
With a kip or module of some sort in a specific folder, perhaps we can update normally without worrying about such a thing.

 

[Draxzelex]

Given how there such a KIP to prevent system updates from updating the cart slot, I am wondering if perhaps the same can be done but to disable fuse burning on a system update. Perhaps a kip or something else?

I already know there is a way to update without burning the fuses, but it is somewhat cumbersome and time consuming.
With a kip or module of some sort in a specific folder, perhaps we can update normally without worrying about such a thing.

The kip would be useless because normal system updates reboot the console meaning the exploit will be lost. You can't count on AutoRCM either as that gets removed during system updates as well. The only hope is a good enough jig that can short pin 10 so you enter RCM when the console reboots.

 

[ShadowOne333]

The kip would be useless because normal system updates reboot the console meaning the exploit will be lost. You can't count on AutoRCM either as that gets removed during system updates as well. The only hope is a good enough jig that can short pin 10 so you enter RCM when the console reboots.

Damn that's a shame.
What about installing system updates through some NSP installer?
Could that be possible?
Perhaps removing the fuse part from the update and then installing the update manually?

I am way out of the loop with Switch stuff, so pardon my ignorance lol

 

[Draxzelex]

Damn that's a shame.
What about installing system updates through some NSP installer?
Could that be possible?
Perhaps removing the fuse part from the update and then installing the update manually?

I am way out of the loop with Switch stuff, so pardon my ignorance lol

I remember there being .CIAs of system updates for the 3DS so I can imagine it will be possible with the Switch in the future once we can properly pack everything into NSP format. We could even remove the part of the system update that rewrites boot0 which causes the Switch to reboot in the first place meaning we don't even need a kip in that case.

 

[TicinoLX]

Can someone tell me what the Benefits are?

 

[Flying Scotsman]

Can someone tell me what the Benefits are?

Check Draxzelex's post:

1. The appeal of ReiNX is free backup launching. Not sure what else it will add but Atmosphere can do what it does and more (granted someone adds those features to it)

 

[Draxzelex]

To clarify something, ReiNX only features .NSP backup launching. It doesn't support .XCI launching at this time but may do so in the future. However, majority of games are available in .NSP format already and very few are .XCI exclusive.

 

[SomeGamer]

Don't wanna get banned so not installing yet. But great guide and I'm unbearably hype for the next episode of the show.

 

[Adran_Marit]

To clarify something, ReiNX only features .NSP backup launching. It doesn't support .XCI launching at this time but may do so in the future. However, majority of games are available in .NSP format already and very few are .XCI exclusive.

Doesn't support it at the moment, I'm sure given how fast these updates are coming it will be soon XD

 

[nando]

is there a terminology compilation somewhere for switch hacking? what is nsp what is xci?

 

[Draxzelex]

is there a terminology compilation somewhere for switch hacking? what is nsp what is xci?

*strokes my own ego a bit* https://gbatemp.net/threads/nintendo-switch-warez-others-on-gbatemp.513008/ and https://gbatemp.net/threads/switch-hacking-updated-faq.502776/

 

[titaniuml]

1. Yes
2. No CFW is permanent. If you want to be super technical, parts of Atmosphere are implemented in ReiNX so using ReiNX right now means you're using both.
3. Free SX OS can only play homebrews, not backups. ReiNX can play backups, but only those in .NSP format. Paid SX OS on the other hand can play backups in both .XCI and .NSP format

Thanks mate. One more question

Would de-linking my Nintendo account first and keeping it offline help? So my account wouldn't be associated with all the hacking in this system.

 

[Draxzelex]

Thanks mate. One more question

Would de-linking my Nintendo account first and keeping it offline help? So my account wouldn't be associated with all the hacking.

Yes, especially if your account has any valuable purchases you want to keep. Un-linking the account after the console is banned can only be done by calling Nintendo.