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Switch Homebrew is now running Android (play native SHIELD games like Portal, Borderlands 2, MGS3; mobile ports like GTA SA + even stream Overwatch)
- Thread starter vestan
- Start date
What is the latest firmware that can be hacked for homebrew?
I never use my switch now because of the price of the games and lack of Nintendo output that I am interested in nowadays.
I never use my switch now because of the price of the games and lack of Nintendo output that I am interested in nowadays.
Firmware doesn't matter. It is a hardware bug, so you need an old, non fixed, Switch. Basically one from the very first branches Nintendo sold.
OP
OP
No, just need a vulnerable Switch, although being on certain firmwares have benefits
Remember, you'll have to buy a second hand Switch for this.
New Switch units at retail have been fixed from being hacked for almost a year now.
Also, if you don't follow the correct instructions to hack your Switch, then there's a high chance your Switch will get permanently banned from all online services, including access to the eShop.
OK, this... This is actually something
Have to look up if my switch is hackable, and get the pro when it releases (If it exists)
Have to look up if my switch is hackable, and get the pro when it releases (If it exists)
Quick question, are the old switches, the ones compatible with the jig hack still hackable despite the firmware upgrades?
Yes. It's a massive hardware fault. They can plug the hole with firmware, but hackers undo it immediately after.
As many others, the moment the revision comes out I'm hacking my unit.
Yep. Think there's a lot of folks who will be doing this, myself included.
Switch would make a perfect Android tablet outside of a low res 720p screen. Full controllers built into the device, decent size screen, active cooling. This is incredible. Hope it has gapps support. Probably doesn't use Horizon either like Lakka. Triple boot the device using Horizon, Linux or Android.
This is seriously fantastic. Like others here have said, I might not sell my Switch when I eventually get the Pro Switch.
With full Android I assume that means it'll work with emulators up to at least N64, PS1, and PSP. I had an Nvidia Shield Portable and it ran PSP games pretty much perfectly outside of a few bugs on some games that I'm sure have been fixed in the last several years.
If I can get Gamecube or Wii emulation working on this (working WELL, at least) then it'll be what I'd always wanted from the Switch.
If those work at all it'll basically make the Switch the emulation decide I've always wanted. All my handheld games on one device and a bunch of my console games too, AND streaming from my PC.
With full Android I assume that means it'll work with emulators up to at least N64, PS1, and PSP. I had an Nvidia Shield Portable and it ran PSP games pretty much perfectly outside of a few bugs on some games that I'm sure have been fixed in the last several years.
This is my big question.
If I can get Gamecube or Wii emulation working on this (working WELL, at least) then it'll be what I'd always wanted from the Switch.
If those work at all it'll basically make the Switch the emulation decide I've always wanted. All my handheld games on one device and a bunch of my console games too, AND streaming from my PC.
They can't plug the hole that enables this through a firmware patch. You don't even boot into the official Switch firmware to launch this, it's launched directly from a custom bootloader, just like regular Linux or Lakka. As long as you have a vulnerable bootloader, you can use this, regardless of which firmware version you're on.
Those have some pretty nasty DRM in them that require frequent online-checks which are very hard to spoof if even possible. Not sure if anyone is even still working on cracking those games.
Oh geez, had no idea.
Still, I know that Gamecube emulation (and I assume Wii) is a thing on Android. The Shield TV I know can run some games surprisingly well, Butni know the Switch is a little weaker than that I think.
They did plug the bootloader for a few weeks with firmware 6.2, IIRC, by using the Tsec chip in the boot process (Don't remember how, I think it was the boot up process now demands a key only the TSEC can provide) and people thought the security chip they were using for the task was secure and the patch was a work of genius... Until it turned out the TSEC chip was also vulnerable, and hackers got a way of obtaining the boot key.
Even now, new firmwares have been changing that key IIRC, that's what I mean by plugging the hole, but it takes like, an hour to obtain it. So yeah, it's like stopping the sun with a thumb.
The Switch Tegra X1 is the same as the Shield TV. Only difference is its down clocked because of it having a battery.
IIRC that only prevented people from booting the firmware, not from running a custom bootloader like Hekate which is all that's needed to boot Lakka, Ubuntu or Android. You never even touch the official Switch firmware that way.
Maybe you are right, I really don't know, I haven't really been up to date. I said they can plug the hole as in, they can be mildly annoying to the hackers. And yeah, that's right, it's such and unprecedented way of hacking a system that it also brings unprecedented possibilities.
This would be breathtaking. I would honestly pay for this.
So it could basically play the Metal Gear Rising port, yas!
Also those Mario Galaxy HD chinese ports for it.
Also those Mario Galaxy HD chinese ports for it.
Not legally. They still haven't been cracked yet. After they are, you probably could, but yeah, not legally. Due its strong DRM mechanisms
And CD!
Ah, that answers it then. I basically only use my Switch for Lakka now, but hate the idea of going anywhere near the NAND or Horizon.
Ah, crap, it's not possible to buy on the Shield's store accross the sea then I assume?
In any case, Dolphin serves me better on that front, not like I hacked my Switch yet, either...I still play a bunch online so that's not in the plan until a HW revision or end of life.
So all launch Switch's have an exploit that means it's easy to homebrew right? Something physical that they can't patch out? Because I'm 100% planning on homebrewing my current Switch once I pick up a pro.
there's a mobile PS2 emulator in the works, maybe it could advance further with the help of this.
If you bought a Switch before June 2018 (when Nintendo started sending out systems with the exploit fixed) you can easily get into homebrew.
The hardware exploit is unpatchable.
Wouldn't homebrew my switch, but I homebrewed my Vita. Super awesome, may not be as awesome but it feels much more portable. It was also very easy to do.
This is me - I thought that by keeping reasonably current with firmware updates, I had locked myself out of homebrew. This is very exciting.
Yup, this is how I roll with mine! The exploit is hardware-based, so there's literally nothing Nintendo can do to so long as you still have that hardware. I keep my main Switch software updated and still use Lakka for Retroarch :)
Kind of. Normally you need the jig to put in the right joycon slot, then hold the volume up button and turn it on before you can drop the payload via the USB-C port (which then boots to Linux or whatever). But there's a way to make the Switch boot right into that recovery mode without all that stuff, so all you need is the payload dropper (I have this one). Look up "AutoRCM" :)
I am pretty sure you can get it into an actual permanent hacked mode, but it would require modding of the internal Switch software and guarantee you a console (and maybe account) ban.
You can use AutoRCM so you don't need a jig. But you still need something to load Hekate. Unless you open your Switch up and install a mod chip.
Yep. In fact, I just ordered one. Hope there are no real huge barriers to entry with homebrew.
I will use the new one as my main Switch and my original as the homebrew machine. I got it in December 2017 so it should be good but I'll double check to make sure.
Yeah, basically this. I've used NS-Atmosphere with success because it's very portable, but I've also played around with the Android Hekate loader (which I couldn't get to work).