Installing Custom Firmware - mapnerd-crossing/acnh GitHub Wiki

The first step is to take your Switch's native (system, default, comes with, etc) firmware to custom firmware.

Firmware is a type of software that controls device hardware. We will be installing custom firmware so we can access your Switch.

If you are only modding Animal Crossing or Pokemon, do NOT install on emu! This opens you up to a ban risk for no reason. Never mod competitive games, Nintendo will ban you. You have been warned.

For a video tutorial, please see How to Install Custom Firmware on Switch For ACNH Pokemon Hacking (NO EMU) FULL SETUP! (2021)

Download CFW files

Hekate: This is known as the "bootloader", which means it's what we use to launch the Switch into custom firmware mode. Download the most recent zip folder here: Hekate

Hekate.ini: Configuration file for Hekate. Download the file here: Hekate ini

Bootlogos zip: Download the zip folder here: bootlogos

Atmosphere: Atmosphere is the custom firmware we will be using. Download the most recent bin release here: Atmosphere

Lockpick RCM: This is an encryption tool used when creating system backups and keys. Download the latest bin here: Lockpick

JKSV: JKSV is a file management system used to organize save files on your Switch. It allows you to have multiple saves on one device. Download the jksv.nro file here: JKSV

FTPD: FTP application that lets you transfer files between your Switch and PC. Download the latest ftpd.nro here: FTPD

NXThemesInstaller: For your Switch's new home menu. Download the latest NXThemesInstaller.nro here: NXThemes

NXShell: A file explorer for your Switch. Download latest NX-Shell.nro here: NXShell

HB AppStore: This is the customized menu that will replace your eShop. Download the appstore.nro here: HB Appstore

Sys-botbase: The files used to communicate between your Switch and PC modding tools like Poker, Mobile Spawner, and Orderbot. Download the most recent sys-botbase.zip here: Sys-botbase

ldm: The files used in conjunction with sys-botbase. Download the most recent ldm_mitm.zip here: ldn_mitm

For a complete set of files, download and unzip this folder. Drag the contents into your SD card root.

Preparing your SD card

  1. Insert your SD card into your PC. If you are ever prompted to reformat your SD card when you do this, always click "no".
  2. Unzip the Atmosphere zip folder. Drag those contents into your SD card root
  3. Copy the bootloader folder from the Hekate zip into your SD card root
  4. Copy the bootloader folder from the bootlogos zip into your SD card root (Click "yes" or "ok" to merge bootloader folders, if asked)
  5. Copy the hekate_ipl.ini" file to the bootloader` folder on your SD card
  6. Copy the LockPick_RCM.bin to the /bootloader/payloads folder on your SD card
  7. Create a folder named appstore inside your /switch folder on your SD card
  8. Copy the appstore.nro file into the new appstore folder from step 7
  9. Copy the jksv.nro, ftpd.nro, NX-shell.nro, and NXThemesInstaller.nro files into the /switch folder on your SD card
  10. Copy the sys-botbase and ldn_mitm files into your SD card root
  11. Re-insert your SD card back into your Switch

Starting your Switch in Atmosphere OS

You have now installed CFW on your Switch. This includes a new OS: Atmosphere. Any time you turn your Switch off, you will need to repeat these steps to start your Switch using the Atmosphere OS, instead of Horizons OS (also known as "Stock")

  1. Enter RCM
  2. In TegraRcmGUI, click the Browse Folder icon > navigate to the hekate_ctcaer_xxxx.bin file from the Hekate zip folder and click OK.
  3. Click "Inject Payload"

Your Switch should launch in a black and blue menu that says "hekate" on the top left part of the screen. You can detach your Switch from your computer. If prompted to set the date and time, set it. This time does not affect your Switch's date and time, set through the Settings menu.

Making a system backup

Creating a backup lets you restore your Switch if you accidentally "brick it" or render your Switch unusable.

  1. From the Hekate main menu > click the Tools button on the top
  2. Click the Backup eMMC option
  3. Click the first option: eMMC BOOT0 & BOOT1
  4. Let it check for available space. Wait until it's finished and verified. Click "Close" on the top right
  5. Click on the second option: eMMC RAW GPP
  6. Let it check for available free space. This backup will take a long time. See the note for a 32 GB SD card below.

Making system keys

We will be generating keys from your SysNAND. These will help you access your Switch if something goes wrong. They are used in conjunction with the system backup.

  1. Go to the Hekate main screen and click the Payloads option
  2. Select the Lockpick_RCM.bin option
  3. Using the Volume buttons to navigate, navigate to Dump from SysNAND | Key Generation and click the Power button to select it
  4. Let the lockpick complete. Press any button to return to the Lockpick main menu
  5. Click Power Off

Put your backups on your PC

We will completely move over the backup files and keys we created above onto your PC. Keep these files in a safe place that will not be deleted. We will remove them from your SD card when we're done.

  1. Power off your Switch and insert your SD card into your PC
  2. Copy the backup folder to your PC
  3. Copy the prod_keys and title_keys files from your /switch folder to your PC
  4. Delete the folder from step 2 and the files from step 3 from your SD card
  5. Reinsert your SD card into your Switch, enter RCM, and launch CFW.

Notes about 32 GB SD cards

It is suggested to purchase a 64 GB SD card, but it is not required. When creating your system backup on a 32 GB SD card, follow the steps above in addition to the ones below.

A 32 GB SD card backup will be done in a batch of folders. Every time the SD card runs out of space, you will need to move the backup folders to your PC and off of the card.

After step 6, hekate will tell you you're out of space. Follow these steps:

  1. Turn off your Switch and insert your SD card into your PC
  2. Copy the backup folder from your Switch onto your PC. Delete it from your SD card when you're done.
  3. Reinsert the SD card into your Switch and restart your Switch in Atmosphere OS. (RCM > Inject hekate)
  4. Repeat step 5 above. You will need to do this until hekate tells you the backup is done.