Do You Need Homebrew Before You Can Get Custom Firmware

Homebrew is a term for unoffical software written past hobbyists and amateur developers for locked down systems (i.e. the Switch).

This can include salvage editing tools, games, emulators, and more.

Homebrew can be run for free on your Switch through Custom Firmware as long as you have a “showtime-generation” system running 14.1.0 or lower, and a USB-C cable.

Custom Firmware (“CFW”) is a piece of software that modifies the organization firmware. Atmosphere, for example, does this by running in the background and patching the Os on the wing.

This allows 1 to extend the functionality of their system by giving homebrew higher levels of permission than most userland exploits and tin be used to provide extra features for homebrew devs and users to take advantage of for various purposes, for instance, game modding using LayeredFS.

CFW tin be prepare up on any first-generation console on any version (simply volition require additional tools).

This guide has the finish goal of taking a completely unmodified Switch from Stock Firmware to Atmosphere Custom Firmware.

fusee-gelee is currently the best method of launching Custom Firmware that gives us about total control of the system. It utilizes a vulnerability in the bootROM of the start-generation Switch systems, allowing us to send any payload we want to the Switch’southward recovery mode, instead of only ones that Nintendo have authorized.

• Customize your Dwelling house Menu with user-created themes and splash screens
• Use “ROM hacks” for games that you lot own
• Backup, edit, and restore saves for many games
• Play games for older systems with various emulators, using RetroArch or other standalone emulators
• Safely update to the latest organization version without fear of losing access to homebrew

Before beginning the guide, you lot must know the risks of Switch hacking: EVERY time you modify your arrangement, there is ever the potential for an UNRECOVERABLE brick. They’re rare only nonetheless a possibility so make certain you follow ALL directions EXACTLY.

This guide will work on first-generation Switch consoles in all regions on firmware xiv.1.0 or below.

You will need
1
of the following in order to successfully follow this guide:

• A PC and a USB cable capable of data transfer between your Switch and your PC
• An Android device and a USB cable capable of information transfer between your Switch and your Android device
  • This does not work on every android phone
• A Lightning-OTG adapter, a jailbroken iOS device and a USB cable capable of data transfer between your Switch and the adapter
  • This method is not covered by the guide, simply you lot can read more than well-nigh information technology at
    this website

You will besides need a micro SD menu that is at least 64 gigabytes or larger if you plan on following this guide through the emummc path, which is safer and strongly recommended. If you must use a smaller SD card, it is possible with the sysmmc path, but strongly non recommended.

Finally, you will demand a way to access Recovery Mode. (This will be further explained in the “Entering RCM section”)