Updating CFW - NH Switch Guide (2024)

This page documents how you can keep your system up-to-date.

After following our guide, your system will consist of three core elements that can be updated. Atmosphere, Hekate and your system firmware.

Updating Atmosphere

When updating Atmosphere always make sure to read the release notes. They may list important changes and modifications to your system.

When a new version of Atmosphere releases, you can update Atmosphere by following these steps:

1. Turn off your Nintendo Switch and plug your SD card in your computer.
2. Download the latest release of Atmosphere (Download the atmosphere-(version)-master-(version)+hbl-(version)+hbmenu-(version).zip release of Atmosphere.)
3. Copy the contents of the Atmosphere .zip file to the root of your SD card.
   • If you are prompted to overwrite files, do so.
4. (If your hekate is not on the latest version) Update hekate via the steps below
5. Put your SD card back in your Switch and launch CFW.

Updating Hekate

When updating Hekate always make sure to read the release notes. They may list important changes and modifications to your system.

When a new version of Hekate releases, you can update by following these steps:

1. Turn off your Nintendo Switch and plug your SD card in your computer.
2. Download the latest version of Hekate (Download the hekate_ctcaer_(version).zip release of hekate).
3. Copy the bootloader folder from the Hekate .zip file to the root of your SD card. If you are asked to overwrite or merge files while copying, say yes to merge/overwrite them.
4. Put your SD card back in your Switch and launch Hekate.
5. Go to the Options tab at the top right of the screen. Turn "Update Reboot 2 Payload" on the bottom right ON (if it isn't on already). Tap "Save Options" at the bottom of the screen.

Updating your firmware

Always check before updating your system firmware if the latest version of Atmosphere as well as the latest version of Hekate support the firmware version you are updating towards.

In addition, updating to or past some firmwares update the gamecard firmware. Reference the table below for information about these.

If at least one of the versions you are updating towards also updates the gamecard firmware, you will not be able to downgrade below that version without making the gamecard slot unusable until you update.

Atmosphere (and Hekate) come bundled with patches that automatically disable the gamecard slot if it is detected that the system has an older gamecard firmware that would be updated. If you boot into RCM on each boot (for example by using AutoRCM), this means that the gamecard slot will not be updated and you can downgrade below that version. If this happens, you will not be able to use the gamecard slot as long as you are on the newer firmware.

Otherwise, you can safely update your system firmware through the system settings.

About emuMMC

sysMMC and emuMMC have separate system firmwares and need to be updated separately.

If you keep your emuMMC offline, you will have to use a gamecard to update your system firmware, synchronize it with another Nintendo Switch or dump an updated firmware from your sysMMC.

Updating emuMMC by dumping an updated firmware from your sysMMC

What you will need

Preparing your SD card

1. Insert your microSD card into your computer.
2. Download TegraExplorer.bin and place it somewhere on your PC (A good idea is to put it where you keep all your switch payloads like Hekate).
3. Update Atmosphere and Hekate by using the above guides.
4. If you haven't already, update the sysMMC to the latest firmware.

Dumping your sysMMC firmware

1. Make sure your sysMMC is up to date. If your sysMMC is not up-to-date, update it through the System Settings.
2. Inject TegraExplorer.bin using TegraRCMGUI (Like you would with Hekate).
3. Using the joystick and the A buttons, select FirmwareDump.te, then select Dump sysmmc.
4. Wait about 1-2 minutes for the tool to dump your firmware.
5. When the tool finishes, press any button.
6. Select Reboot to atmosphere/reboot_payload.bin.

Updating your emuMMC with Daybreak

1. In Hekate go to Launch -> Atmosphere FSS0 emuMMC.
2. Once booted, hold R while launching a game to boot into the homebrew menu.
3. Find Daybreak in the homebrew menu and launch it.
4. Tap on Install and navigate to tegraexplorer/Firmware/<latest firmware number>.
5. Tap on Continue and then Preserve settings.
   • If you see the message Warning: exFAT firmware is missing or corrupt, you likely don't have the exFAT drivers installed on your sysMMC. Just press continue if this is the case.
6. If it is available choose Install (FAT32 + exFAT), otherwise Install (FAT32) and then Continue.
7. Wait until Daybreak completes installing the dumped firmware.
8. Once it completes, it will ask if you want to reboot. Tap Reboot.
9. Once rebooted, launch into emuMMC and verify your system works. You can verify your system has been properly updated in Settings -> System.