10/Q Setup Guide

Installation guide/tutorial for Switchroot Android 10 on Nintendo Switch, based on the original guide at https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/rom-unofficial-switchroot-android-10.4229761/

This guide covers installation of the public release of Switchroot Android 10/Q, based on LineageOS 17.1, on the Switch. The original guide upon which this is based can be found here. All photos are credited to @bylaws on XDA Developers Forum.

Switchroot Android Q is only compatible with unpatched v1 Switches (generally units produced before late 2018) or "ipatched" v1 Switches with a hardmod.

Requirements

• RCM-exploitable/unpatched or hardmodded ipatched v1 Switch (CHECK HERE FIRST)

• (For unpatched) RCM exploitation method (Usually a jig, but other methods can be found HERE)

• Computer

• USB-C cable/USB-C Switch autoinjector

• High quality SD card >= 16GB

• microSD card reader for the computer

Prerequisites

• Nuke any other Switchroot Android builds before attempting to install this release

• Ensure SD is formatted as FAT32

Steps

1. Download hekate and the latest Androioid 10 release

   1. Download the latest version of the hekate bootloader from HERE (hekate_ctcaer_[version]_Nyx_[version].zip)

   2. Unzip the hekate archive to the root of the SD card

   3. Download the latest zip HERE of either icosa-tab (standard tablet Android) or icosa-atv (Android TV)

Your SD card should now look like this, assuming it is shared with HOS (Horizon OS/Switch OS):

root
|- bootloader
|  |- ini
|  |  |- ...
|  |- payloads
|  |  |- ...
|  |- res
|  |  |- ...
|  |- sys
|  |  |- ...
|- Nintendo
|  |- ...

2. Set up JoyCon auto-pairing by dumping data

   1. Boot Switch to HOS (Nintendo stock OS) and ensure JoyCons are paired

   2. Insert your SD card into your Switch, slide the RCM jig into the right rail

   3. Hook your Switch up to your PC (or other payload injector) via USB-C and power off the console

   4. Press Power and VOL + simultaneously to enter RCM mode and inject the hekate payload (hekate_ctcaer_[version].bin) that came with your downloaded hekate zip

   5. Navigate to Nyx Options and dump the BT data

6. Ensure you have a successful (2 out of 2) message, otherwise try step 2 again

3. Partition Switch in hekate's partition manager

   1. In hekate, navigate to the partition manager

2. Use sliders to select appropriate space for each OS (we recommend at least 16 GB for Android), then press Next Step

3. Follow instructions and backup Nintendo folder or any CFW files if necessary via hekate's SD UMS tool over USB-C or by removing the SD card and reading directly on a PC (hekate/Nyx can pause and reload when SD is removed)

4. Check out the Extra Zips section before continuing and add any zips (especially GApps for Google Play) that you might want to the root of the SD card

5. Select "Flash Android" and accept the prompt to reboot to recovery (TWRP)

Your SD should now look like this:

root
|- bootloader
|  |- ini
|  |  |- ...
|  |- payloads
|  |  |- ...
|  |- res
|  |  |- ...
|  |- sys
|  |  |- ...
|- Nintendo
|  |- ...
|- switchroot
|  |- android
|  |  |- ...
|  |- install
|  |  |- ...
|- lineage-17.1-[date]-UNOFFICIAL-[device]-signed.zip
|- <any other zips you added>

4. Install your zips in TWRP

   1. Press Install, then "Select Storage" in TWRP and select "Micro SD Card"

   2. Install the Lineage zip, followed by GApps and any other zips you may have added

   3. Upon installing the final zip, wipe cache/dalvik and reboot to system

   4. Welcome to Switchroot Android 10!

5. After first boot

   1. JoyCon autopairing may require a reboot to fully take effect

   2. Rebooting from Android will by default return to Android; poweroff will require reinjection

   3. To reboot to TWRP to install more zips, backup/restore, or perform other administrative tasks, hold VOL+ on (re)boot

   4. To reboot to hekate, hold VOL- on (re)boot

Extra Zips

Flashable zips are system additions that can be added from TWRP. Hold Vol+ on (re)boot to enter recovery and flash the desired zip. DO NOT flash incompatible or random zips.

• GApps--We use upstream LineageOS recommendations for Google apps. For Android 10 this is MindTheGapps for tab and OpenGApps for ATV

  • These use a minimal setup to fit better and add less bloatware

  • Don't flash ATV packages on tab or vice-versa

• Super Overclock--Grab the latest version from HERE to overclock your Switch CPU to 2091 MHz

  • This can cause system instability and reduce hw lifespan, but can get some emulated titles over the "playable" hump

  • More granular OC control is available in newer Switchroot Android releases

• JoyCon Xbox Layout--Grab the package from HERE to use an Xbox controller-style control scheme

  • Do NOT flash this on newer Switchroot Android versions!

• Magisk--The .apk can be renamed to .zip and flashed in TWRP for a root solution

  • Issues caused by Magisk are not our fault and will not be fixed (by us)--please do not file bug reports relating to kernel or system stability after installing Magisk or other root patching solutions

Updating

Updates are pushed through OTA (over-the-air) updates, just like any Android OEM's. Use the Updater in Settings to get the latest updates without losing data. Note that the 20220408 version is the latest and last Switchroot Android 10 release, and newer versions cannot be updated to OTA--see release pages for details.