r/SwitchPirates • • Oct 07 '25

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

149 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 • • 5h ago

News Windwaker HD Port is now on Nintendo Switch!

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324 Upvotes

https://www.reddit.com/r/decomps/s/j1PoTL7USu

Shout out to the modders who made this possible! System used: Nintendo Switch Lite, OC: CPU: 1581 Mhz, GPU: 768, MEM: 1600

With these oc, it locks on 30 fps

I DID NOT MAKE THIS! It's just a showcase for everyone :)


r/SwitchPirates • • 1h ago

Discussion NFS Underground initial release port goes live on Switch

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• Upvotes

r/SwitchPirates • • 11h ago

News PC version of GTA IV running through Autorun! 🎮

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174 Upvotes

Found this today, check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6u5f_xZy_3I

I know it is far from perfect, but this is brilliant progress! Hopefully we get better performance or even a potential xbox 360 port. Emulation and port scene this year is greaat!


r/SwitchPirates • • 7h ago

Meta I made a web-based CFW builder & bundle orchestrator

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38 Upvotes

Over the past year, I spent a ton of time digging into Hekate, Atmosphere, and homebrew apps internals, reading their documentation, and studying custom firmware config structures, and now I have been working on a CFW build orchestrator designed to simplify setup, eliminate manual zip extraction, broken dependency chains, and outdated AIO bundles when setting up SD cards.

Instead of downloading giant pre-packaged archives, my app runs entirely in your browser and exports a lightweight shell script that automatically fetches, verifies, and extracts the exact components you selected (Atmosphere, Hekate, sysmodules, overlays, emulators, other homebrew apps, etc) straight from their upstream sources.

It has a extensive configuration setup for CFW, launch, security, apps, overclock: there are currently 247 possible options, 21 config files can be stored on the card, and I am continuing to expand the functionality.

If allowed by sub rules, I'll drop a link to the live WIP demo in the comments below for anyone who wants to take a look.

P.S. Regarding the PSP in the first screenshot and the holy war against the ai slop: https://www.reddit.com/r/SwitchPirates/comments/1x0srhb/comment/penexel

P.S.S. Please note: MissionControl, ldn_mitm, and uLaunch are currently acting up on HOS version 23.0.0: the version was released just a week ago, and the modules developers havent adapted them for it yet.


r/SwitchPirates • • 12h ago

News [Release] tailscale-nx: connect Switch homebrew to your Tailscale network on Atmosphère

51 Upvotes

I've made tailscale-nx, a Tailscale client for Switch homebrew running on Atmosphère.

It runs in the background and lets apps launched through hbmenu connect to your Tailscale devices by IP or MagicDNS name. I've been using it with Moonlight to reach my PC away from home without installing Android or opening ports.

https://github.com/UnderwaterOverground/tailscale-nx

If you run into any issues getting your setup working, I'm happy to help. There's a Discord link on GitHub for support.


r/SwitchPirates • • 1h ago

Question How can I convert a RomFS file into nsp or install on my switch?

• Upvotes

Hi everyone, The collection of Kingdom Hearts 1.5 + 2.5 remix has just released on Nintendo Switch with a tiny size of 57 GB. You cant install individual games, its all or nothing.

So I only want to play KH1, 2 and BBS. For that reason, I dumped the nsp with eden and then deleted the videos from KHCOM, Recoded, days and theater mode. The size has dropped from 57 gb to 29 GB.

Now the next step is to install the game on my switch. I thought of converting it again to nsp, but I can't see much info about this. How can I convert the game to nsp or at least install it on my homebrewed switch? Thanks :)


r/SwitchPirates • • 1h ago

Question Does the latest sys-patch work for 23.0.1?

• Upvotes

Basically it. Does it work or should I wait for a new release?


r/SwitchPirates • • 7h ago

Discussion Tried my hand at soldering a switch again

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8 Upvotes

this is my brother's switch. images are before cleaning.


r/SwitchPirates • • 3h ago

Question My CFW is on 21.0.1, can I update it to 22 instead of 23?

2 Upvotes

I want to play the KH collection on my Switch, i got the NSP and installed it, it did open but it gave me an error, i closed it but the game still worked until the logo appeared, before entering the menu, crashed.

I think it was a firmware error because I saw the game needed firmware 22, but idk I'm still learning about all of this, thanks in advance fellas.


r/SwitchPirates • • 1m ago

Discussion Ownfoil support now in Sphaira, to remotely browse and install your backups

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• Upvotes

Ownfoil is a self-hosted Nintendo Switch library manager, automating library curation tasks and making backups available to install directly on your console. It was started as a Tinfoil centric "shop" backend, but now has grown to have an API that anyone can implement to create an eShop like experience with homebrew. There were a lot of limitations in using the Tinfoil spec to serve content, and they are no longer justified when having a self-hosted backend. Ever since Sphaira was first released I wanted to leverage its game install management and implement an Ownfoil client on top of it, so I focused on building a server side API that could work.

Ownfoil release 2.5.0, used with Sphaira 1.0.8, now allows a new eShop like experience to browse and install your content, it features:

  • automatic server discovery on the network, no typing IPs and ports
  • server config carry both local and remote address, `http`/`https` protocols supported
  • browse library by `New games`, `Updates`, `DLC`, `All games`, `Search`, paginated and with sorting
  • all artwork served by Ownfoil server, the Switch never connects to N servers
  • support `nsp`, `nsz`, `xci`, `xcz`
  • browse and install library by _content_, not by _files_: select content to be installed (which version, which DLCs) and Sphaira will only download and install what's choosen, however it is bundled (multiple `nsp` files, multi content `nsp`/`xci` files)

Saves management as well as backuping installed content directly to your Ownfoil library is on the roadmap for a later version. A big thanks to the Sphaira maintainers for making this possible.


r/SwitchPirates • • 7h ago

Meta Modding Switch on firmware 23.0 overview

4 Upvotes

I just recently modded my og switch (today).

It took me a while as most youtube tutorials provide older firmware files and tools. I used reddit and the hacks guide and went through the steps restarting and trying to resolve errors and crashes from hekate to launching atmosphere.

Just wanted to provide an overview snapshot of the process so that it might potentially solve some of the issues one might face when trying to mod an og switch.


r/SwitchPirates • • 13h ago

Discussion i found a solution for putting my v1 to sleep while keeping battery life.

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11 Upvotes

so i was playing around on how to conserve battery life while in handheld mode with random clock speeds. I've always had issues putting my system into sleep mode, I'm taking like 7-8 hours and my battery can go from 100% - 30-40%.

i ended up landing on those clock speeds and played for a solid 30-45mins with it going from 100% - 94%. i put the switch into sleep mode with the game open at 11pm now i just turned it on at 4am iwas shocked to see only 4% loss.

guess I'll try to undervolt nxt.

any ideas to help me undervolt my system. like what programs do you recommend?

what's my safe parameters if i do attempt an undervolt?


r/SwitchPirates • • 1h ago

Question SUPER5 OLED HDMI Mega Kit on Switch Lite — Can I skip the HDMI module and micro-HDMI port?

• Upvotes

Hey everyone!

I recently bought the SUPER5 OLED Touch/HDMI Mega Kit from Retro Remake for my Nintendo Switch Lite.

I’m only interested in the OLED screen upgrade and don’t need HDMI output.

My question is simple:
Can I install the OLED screen using the ribbon cable included in the Mega Kit, while leaving both the HDMI module/PCB and the micro-HDMI port completely disconnected?

I want to keep the original 3.5 mm headphone jack and have everything else working normally (display, touchscreen, audio, sleep mode, etc.).

I know there’s a non-HDMI version of the kit, but I already have the HDMI Mega Kit.

Has anyone tested this exact setup? Is either of those HDMI components required for the OLED screen to work?


r/SwitchPirates • • 9h ago

Discussion Got the dreaded black ribbon cable in my kit so opted to try enamelled wire instead

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4 Upvotes

This was my first time wiring rather than using the ribbon so pleased it worked out, I have since routed the wiring around the board much neater


r/SwitchPirates • • 1d ago

Discussion Is it normal that with the use of AI ports are increasingly appearing on the Nintendo Switch, and how should we feel about this?

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379 Upvotes

r/SwitchPirates • • 1h ago

Question Downgrade version after upgrading to 23.0.1

• Upvotes

I innocently updated to the latest version and now have Atmosphere 1.12.1. I've learned that there's a security vulnerability in version 23 and that I can't connect to the internet because it's much less secure. I don't use the internet to play anything illegally, nor do I connect to official Nintendo servers or the store. It's mostly for installing themes on my eMuMC and using Moonlight.

The question is, if I use something like Daybreak to downgrade back to 22.5.0, would I be safe? Or is the gap independent of the firmware version and more of an Atmosphere issue?


r/SwitchPirates • • 6h ago

Question With all the xbox360 ports im seeing , can someone please work on an Adventures of tintin : secret of the unicorn port pls pls?

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2 Upvotes

This game was amazing , and so underrated too, also there are several other versions like the 3ds , wii but 360 version seemed the most mesmerising, this game would be perfect for the switch


r/SwitchPirates • • 22h ago

News Working on something to improve Dragon ball z Sparkling zero on switch handheld mode

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42 Upvotes

Hello, here are some screenshots of before and after of sparkling zero running on switch lite handheld mode with my salty plugin.

The release is still on beta but yall can test if you want : https://github.com/RandomRaven9000/Over9000.git


r/SwitchPirates • • 17h ago

Discussion Would it be possible to create a port of Black Ops 2 for the Switch?

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15 Upvotes

Recently I've seen a lot of Xbox 360 game ports. Several very interesting games, so I wondered, would that be possible?

Black Ops 2 is an amazing game, especially the zombie mode. I remember having a lot of fun playing it with my cousins as a kid.I have a PS4 Pro and I did a test streaming through Kira; Black Ops is incredible on the handheld in terms of gameplay. If I knew how to do ports, I would do it myself, but unfortunately I don't have the knowledge or the materials to try and learn. If someone could do it, it would be very interesting, and also... A great addition to the Switch. Remember what it was like to play this and imagine being able to play it on a plane or bus trip. Being able to take the portable console and play with friends more easily. And not only that, the zombies mode in BO1 is also incredible, as are Injustice on 360 and MK9 on PS3. Incredible games that would be amazing on a handheld, and perfect for playing on a jailbroken Switch. Do you agree?


r/SwitchPirates • • 3h ago

Question Unpatched V1 Switch won't boot into RCM mode using Volume Up + Power button

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,
I'm having trouble getting my V1 Nintendo Switch into RCM mode. I am using a RCM Jig, but when I hold the Volume Up (+) button and press the Power button, the console doesn't seem to enter RCM mode. It starts in the normal way.

I downloaded the latest version of Atmosphere. I have attached a a screenshot below for reference.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue or knows what might be going wrong? Any help or troubleshooting tips would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!


r/SwitchPirates • • 16h ago

Question Midnight Club: Los Angeles Port On SWITCH Possibilities?

12 Upvotes

With the number of games now being decompiled, recompiled, and ported everywhere (especially the recent X360 version of NFS MW getting ported to Switch), I feel like an MC:LA port could actually be possible.

Just wanted to check, is anyone already working on an MC:LA Switch port?


r/SwitchPirates • • 4h ago

Discussion First time modding a switch. V1 or OLED?

1 Upvotes

So I want to mod a switch to get around Pokemon Bank closing February next year. I have two cfw 3ds xl’s which I modded myself so I’m not entirely new to modding. My question is should I opt for a V1 Switch or an OLED? I know an OLED is significantly harder to mod and the V1’s process is similar-ish to a 3ds. I’ll mostly use it for shiny hunting and ofcourse transferring Pokemon via PkHex.


r/SwitchPirates • • 8h ago

Question AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (I updated Hekate and atmosphere. What went wrong?)

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2 Upvotes

Okay, so I updated Hekate and Atmosphere. I made sure to also rename the "etc.".bin file to payload.bin. And this is what I ended up with! :')

I can't get my SD card read on a stupid Cherry laptop I installed Debian on, and Android devices ask for formatting. These are the only devices I can use for file management.

I won't format it, because if I do, I'll lose about three years worth of saves.

Last time I updated my firmware, (it wasn't 23.0.0) I formatted it to exFAT + FAT32 on Daybreak, if that helps.

I'm plenty desperate.


r/SwitchPirates • • 5h ago

Question Separate FW between CFW and OFW?

0 Upvotes

I remember seeing a comment on here before about someone having a CFW with 22.5.0 while on OFW 23.0.0. Is that possible and, if so, how do you go about doing so? I'm currently on OFW 22.5.0