Switch Guide for Atmosphere

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

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

Homebrew can be run for free on your Switch through Custom Firmware as long as you have a "first-generation" system running 14.1.2 or lower, and a USB-C cable.

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

This allows one to extend the functionality of their system by giving homebrew higher levels of permission than most userland exploits and can 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 can be set up on any first-generation console on any version (but will require additional tools).

This guide has the end 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 nearly full control of the system. It utilizes a vulnerability in the bootROM of the first-generation Switch systems, allowing us to send any payload we want to the Switch's recovery mode, instead of only ones that Nintendo have authorized.

• Customize your HOME Menu with user-created themes and splash screens
• Use “ROM hacks” for games that you own
• Backup, edit, and restore saves for many games
• Use cheats for your games and make the cheats for your games.
• Use games mods and make game mods, for Ex: Super Mario Odyssey mods at https://gamebanana.com/games/6376
• Play games for older systems with various emulators, using RetroArch or other standalone emulators
• Safely update to the latest system version without fear of losing access to homebrew

Before beginning the guide, you must know the risks of Switch hacking: EVERY time you modify your system, there is always the potential for an UNRECOVERABLE brick. They’re rare but still a possibility so make sure you follow ALL directions EXACTLY.

This guide will work on first-generation Switch consoles in all regions on firmware 14.1.2 or below.

You will need one 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 data 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, but you can read more about it at this website

You will also need a micro SD card that is at least 128 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 not recommended.

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