Switch Quick Reference Guide

*for Windows PCs

The following links will always link to the latest release. Please check back when there is a new update available.

PC Setup

Booting Switch via USB (TegrarcmGUI)

First time setup

  1. Install TegraRcmGUI.
  2. In the Settings tab, click "Install Driver" and check "Run at Windows startup".

Turning on the Switch

  1. Your Switch should be in the RCM state. This is when the Switch will power on, but the screen will not turn on and the firmware will not boot.
  2. If you are not in this state and it does not enter this state when pressing POWER when fully off, insert the RCM jig into the right joycon rail and press POWER while holding VOL+.
  3. Start TegraRcmGUI.
  4. Connect the Switch to the PC via USB-C cable.
  5. Inject hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin. (It does not matter which version of the Hekate payload you inject.)
  6. If your hekate autoboots, you can instead press VOL- at the startup screen to access the hekate menu and select your boot configuration. You can also use Hekate Toolbox instead.
Installing NSP via USB (ns-usbloader and Awoo Installer)

First time setup

  1. Download and open zadig.
  2. Connect the Switch to the PC via USB-C cable.
  3. In Zadig, select Nintendo Switch and install the libusbK driver. It should look like this: screenshot
  4. You should now be able to install NSPs via ns-usbloader-x.x.jar.

Updating CFW

You can avoid needing to shut the Switch off whenever you remove the SD card by booting into the Hekate menu first via the toolbox. When the SD card is removed while the Hekate menu is open, it will simply restart Hekate once the SD card is reinserted.

  1. Extract the following files to your SD card:
  2. When asked to overwrite any files, click Yes.
  3. Download fusee.bin from Atmosphere and copy to /bootloader/payloads/.

Updating SYS firmware for online play

  1. Update your CFW. Make sure Atmosphere supports the latest Switch version.
  2. On Hekate, boot into CFW on sysMMC.
  3. You can update the Switch normally via the Settings menu. Once done, it will reboot into Hekate.

Switching between SYS and EMU (while CFW is on)

  1. Open Hekate Toolbox.
  2. Choose "Reboot to Hekate", then "Hekate profile".
  3. Under Hekate profile, choose the configuration to reboot to. (CFW SYS or EMU, or Stock SYS for online play).
  4. Reboot now!
Edit Report
Pub: 01 Nov 2021 09:16 UTC
Edit: 03 Nov 2021 14:45 UTC
Views: 596