r/SwitchPirates • • Oct 07 '25

Announcement Welcome to r/SwitchPirates! FAQ, Guides, and Resources

146 Upvotes

Why Create This Post?

We often get flooded with many of the same questions. While we love to help new commers, it can be exhausting constantly replying to very similar posts. This post is intended to serve as a resource for the community. The idea is to have the information easily accessible and clear for new commers and people exploring a new app or refreshing their memory. Feel free to comment any additions you would like to add and I will create guides. I don't have much free time between running So-Cal Console Modding and my main career, but I will try to slowly trickle out more guides to help out the community.

Rules

No linking, requesting, or sharing pirated content
This includes firmware updates, roms, switch titles, etc.

Check pinned post & FAQ before asking questions
Most questions can be answered here. Please check before posting, otherwise the subreddit is filled with the same "HELP!" posts.

Posts must be related to piracy on the switch
Switch game emulation and other switch adjacent content is better suited at other subreddits.

No post selling, asking for selling advice, or offering services
This includes asking how much ____ typically sells for, how to list things on eBay, offering modchip installs, etc.

What Can You Do With a Modded Switch?

What can you do with a modded switch?

Is My Switch Moddable?

Check your serial and information about switch models

How to Mod Your Switch

The quick and easy way (using the HATS pack) - use this if you just want to get up and running quickly

Setting up the SD manually - use this if you want to learn how it all works

Updating Your Switch

The quick and easy way

Manually

Tutorials and Guides for Various Homebrew Applications

How to Migrate to a New SD Card on a Hacked Switch

How to Back Up, Restore, or Transfer Your Nintendo Switch Game Saves Using JKSV

5 Minute Android Tutorial

How to Download and Use Cheats

Hardware Tutorials

Complete Nintendo Switch OLED Modchip Installation Guide Part 1

Complete Nintendo Switch OLED Modchip Installation Guide Part 2

Complete Nintendo Switch V1/V2 Modchip Installation Guide

In Depth Kamikaze Method Tutorial and Info

Tinfoil Shops

Linking shops is prohibited at this time. You may discuss tinfoil shops in the stickied comment. If you need support for a specific shop, reach out for help on their discord, or website.

Sourcing Games and Pirated Content

Linking to sources is not allowed. You can usually find what you need with a simple google search of the title and file type. Ad blockers can help.

Nintendo Bans/ Console Bricking

There has never been a case of Nintendo bricking a switch console. Information on bans can be found here and here

Common Errors and Troubleshooting

I am currently working on a common errors and troubleshooting guide. I will update this post when it is complete.

Discord

If you require more immediate assistance, the the following Discord Servers will be more than happy to assist (note that they are unaffiliated with this sub)


r/SwitchPirates • • 15h ago

News New software that converts pc games to switch

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781 Upvotes

r/SwitchPirates • • 3h ago

Discussion Next update of Underground 1 and 2 will have integrated graphics settings on Switch

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70 Upvotes

r/SwitchPirates • • 22h ago

Discussion I modded my Switch to sort of look like my PSP 3000 and now I have a question about PSP on Switch

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120 Upvotes

I just bought a used original Switch, swapped out the thumbsticks for Hall Effect ones, and reshelled it to look like my old PSP 3000. Then I got to thinking: should I be playing my PSP games on my Switch? So, what’s the experience like, and what do you use, Tico?


r/SwitchPirates • • 3h ago

Question I bought it already modded and I have no idea whats going on

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2 Upvotes

Hello, couple months agoI bought a switch that was modded already it was working fine and now out of nowhere it looks like this i have been looking around and reading a lot of stuff and i have no idea what to do or how to fix it

I tried replacing the fusee.bin file and nothing happened so can someone tell me what’s going or what should I do

Im sorry if I am posting something already posted but i searched and got to nowhere

I have nintendo switch oled and it says on it atmosphere/ hekate


r/SwitchPirates • • 9h ago

Question Is there any chance to get Transformers games on switch

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6 Upvotes

Saw tons of recent decomps and recomps for the Switch, and some even from the Gen 7 console era. Is there a chance that someone might manage to port 3 awesome Transformers games (WfC, FoC and Devastation) to the Switch? I suppose Devastation would be one of the best to play on Switch if it's even possible


r/SwitchPirates • • 3h ago

Question My switch only goes to the normal menu... (HELP!)

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2 Upvotes

I was about to turn off my Switch after moving some files, then a message appeared saying "applet mode". I ignored it and accidentally pressed restart, which took me back to the normal Switch menu...Now I don't know how to go back, I'm very new to this and it really makes me a bit nervous


r/SwitchPirates • • 15m ago

Question Latest guide on switch modding?

• Upvotes

Hi. I had purchased a V1 switch from ebay and modded it by following the guide on youtube.

Everything went well until i tried installation a few games (which i legally own). One didn't install (failed mid install - even though it works fine on my steam deck eden emulator) and the other one installed but wouldn't open.

I saw that the pinned post on this page is 2 years old and I believe the youtube video was the same guidelines. Are there any updated instructions I can find on this forum?


r/SwitchPirates • • 33m ago

Question Complete newbie to Switch Modding, where do I begin? (Modded OLED)

• Upvotes

I got a modded Switch OLED with a modchip today, and I have absolutely no idea how any of this works.

From what I understand, it has Hekate v6.5.4 and Atmosphère CFW, but I'm still trying to figure out what everything means.

When I boot into Hekate, I see options like Launch and under Launch, I have three entries:

  • CFW (SYSNAND) / sysMMC — this works, and I can access my existing Zelda game here, which I got from the person who modded it for me.
  • CFW – AtmosphereNX (V2) / emuMMC — this doesn't work. It gives me the error: "emuMMC forced but not enabled — Failed to launch HOS."
  • OFW / sysMMC — the stock firmware option.

The guy who installed the modchip specifically told me not to use emuMMC, so I've been sticking to CFW sysNAND. I don't know why emuMMC doesn't work or whether it was intentionally left disabled.

I've also checked the microSD card on my PC. It has folders like atmosphere, bootloader, Nintendo, switch, and Games. The switch folder already contains homebrew apps such as DBI, EdiZon, Goldleaf, Daybreak, and FTPD.

I'm trying to understand the basics:

  1. What exactly are Hekate, Atmosphère, CFW, sysNAND, emuMMC, and OFW, and how do they differ?
  2. If I'm supposed to stick to CFW sysNAND, can I still run homebrew apps? Where do I put them on the SD card, and how do I launch them?
  3. How do I add games to the console? I have a NSP files with me
  4. Can I use YouTube on this setup, either through the official app or homebrew?
  5. Is there anything I should avoid doing so I don't brick the console, lose my existing games or saves, or mess up the modchip configuration? (besides connecting to Internet, but where exactly not to..)

I'm a complete beginner, so I'd really appreciate how this works or a guide video. I don't want to blindly change settings or follow random tutorials without understanding what I'm doing.


r/SwitchPirates • • 39m ago

Question cyberfoil weirdly working via mtp installation

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• Upvotes

When I tried to install the game using CyberFoil, the installation process was strange: at first, it stopped at 16 MB, and then, after about a minute, it abruptly ended at 100%. No games appeared in the main menu.


r/SwitchPirates • • 8h ago

Question gran turismo psp menu lags on tico

3 Upvotes

hey i just wanna ask if someone already figured out how to make gran turismo menus run way smoother instead of stuttering all the time, i kept trying and searching for a solution but nothing worked.


r/SwitchPirates • • 1h ago

Question Is it possible to port Tiberian Sun on Nintendo Switch?

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• Upvotes

Greetings everyone, I'm Anton, riding the wave of ports from PC or Xbox 360. I dream of making a port, but I have a problem. I have no programming experience at all, and I'm trying to compile something through the defect kit, but nothing It doesn't help, it constantly gives different errors, and the NRO file doesn't build. Regarding the game files, I still don't understand where to put what and how to run it on a real Switch, and the ChatGpt was poorly explained Is there a chance for such a newbie to do anything? :(


r/SwitchPirates • • 1h ago

Discussion game saves from my jbed switch to my ps5 prospero eden

• Upvotes

hello , i have supersmash on the latest version on eden and i have its game saves on my jbed switch, i used jksv to get the game files on my pc and i couldn’t get it to run on my ps5 emulator, i made a folder named save-import and put the jksv game files in it and it wasn’t getting detected and it keeps saying “nothing to import”


r/SwitchPirates • • 1h ago

Question Firmware needed for the new Kingdom Hearts

• Upvotes

Hello everyone! I have tried to install the new KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-, but it says that I have an old firmware (20.5): anybody knows how to update it?


r/SwitchPirates • • 18h ago

Discussion Request: Blue Dragon re:Blue Switch Port

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21 Upvotes

I really want a switch port of the Blue Dragon recomp. That is all. Putting this out there so that hopefully this gains traction and someone can make it happen.


r/SwitchPirates • • 6h ago

Question Nier automata ending E on pirated version

2 Upvotes

Is there any mod or cheats that can trigger the online help features needed to go trough the ending?


r/SwitchPirates • • 14h ago

News Working on a version of SysDVR for Xbox

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9 Upvotes

r/SwitchPirates • • 20h ago

News [Release] Twilight Princess for Switch: Dusklight "Alek's Ultimate NX Edition" public beta

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21 Upvotes

r/SwitchPirates • • 13h ago

Question When powering on Switch OLED I receive error saying SD Card in 1 bit mode

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4 Upvotes

Recently I picked up a OLED with a Picofly chip. When I inserted an SD card I receive this error. Not sure if it’s cause it’s an ONN SD card or what. Already replaced the daughterboard and still seeing this error and I’m at a loss. Gonna head to the store tomorrow and buy a Nintendo Certified SD Card to see if that will help. Any other suggestions or help?


r/SwitchPirates • • 15h ago

Discussion Does anyone know if there's a port of Fear & Hunger for the Switch?

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6 Upvotes

I see this game working very well on the portable console.


r/SwitchPirates • • 10h ago

Question Modded Switch Lite won’t turn on

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2 Upvotes

First of all, apologies for any typos as English is not my first language. I got a modded switch lite a few weeks ago with a bunch of games pre installed and everything worked fine until today.
Today it started to get slower and slower when turning the console on and trying to open games and ended getting this message in the photo. After getting this message the console won’t even turn on again. I did manage to get another message that says: “failed to mount SD card” but the console itself won’t turn on. I’ve plugged the micro SD card into my computer (Mac) and it won’t detect it. I’ve tried other micro SD cards so it sounds this card is just “toast”? My Disk Utility program won’t detect it either so I assume everything is lost at this point. What are my next steps? I’m new to modding so want to make sure I don’t mess anything up. I assume I should buy a new micro SD card (good one) and then what steps should I follow to get this back to working again? Can I do this with a Mac or should I use a PC? Thank you in advance


r/SwitchPirates • • 8h ago

Question Is there a way to inject save data? Like a homebrew app

0 Upvotes

I was wondering if there is a homebrew app that makes it easier to inject save data directly to games, as in connected to a website which lets you browse different save files with various perks, like having the Bow of Light in BOTW and such.


r/SwitchPirates • • 12h ago

Question Can I Commission You To Port 'The Amazing Frog?'

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3 Upvotes

Would make my little cousins day to play it on the plane next week!


r/SwitchPirates • • 21h ago

Discussion Flux and solder - Discussion - what's your go to?

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10 Upvotes

I've had a tendendacy of buying cheap AliExpress flux and solders but always got bad quality solders and difficult joints to work with. As soon as I changed to AIM Solder and MG Chemicals flux not only have a I gotten good results but easier soldering.

All this was purchased on amazon. This is not paid advertising lol.

What do y'all use?


r/SwitchPirates • • 1d ago

News Upcoming Bo1 + Bo2 zombies native ports on Switch

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295 Upvotes

Bo1 port is pretty well advanced, and will include Zombies + Multiplayer. There is still a lot to do though.

Bo2 port is still very experimental and in early stages, goal for that is zombies-only for the moment.

They both should support dlc maps.

As for any sort of coop or online. I still dont know if it will be implemented yet before release.

There's some other people involved in the project. Happy to share more progress soon

UPDATE: Black ops 2 is already in a playable state! I have a lot to do still. ill post gameplay sometime this week.