0. L4T Linux Distributions

Understanding and setting up L4S distros

L4T GNU/Linux Distributions

Various L4T-based linux distributions are available to build. You can use Jet-Factory to build a distribution for your Switch (still in beta, may not always work).

For official support on desktop based linux distros you can join Linux 4 Switch Official Discord

The state of each distributions available is variable here is a little table reporting the state of it (click on a distro to download):

Distro	State	Version	Official EOL	Description	Maintainer
Ubuntu Bionic	Active	18.04	ELTS: 4/2028	Main L4T distribution	CTCaer
Lakka	Active	5.0		L4T BSP based port	gavin_darkglider
Fedora	Active	39	STS: 11/2024	L4T BSP based port	azkali
Ubuntu Jammy	Active	22.04	ELTS: 4/2032	L4T BSP based port	theofficialgman
Arch	Abandoned			user/pass: alarm/alarm
Ubuntu Focal	Abandoned	20.04

Active = Actively supported distribution. Abandoned = No support, may be broken, please don't bother devs about these builds they exist for transparency and historical reasons.

Setting up your SD Card

1. Insert SD card to your PC

2. Download TegraRcmGUI for Windows and run "TegraRcmGUI_vX.X_installer.msi" to install TegraRCMGUI (follow on-screen instructions).

3. Launch "TegraRCMGUI" and Install The APX driver if needed. This can be located in "Setting" -> "Install Driver"

4. Download Hekate latest release and extract "heakte_ctcaer_X.X.bin"

5. Connect your switch to your PC/device via usb cable.

6. First, power off your Switch then insert the RCM Jig in the right joycon rail and press/hold VOLUME UP + POWER BUTTON for three seconds to enter into RCM

7. Find and select "heakte_ctcaer_X.X.bin" under "Select payload:" and hit "Inject payload". Then your Switch should now be in Hekate bootloader.

Flashing a distribution for the first time

First time Linux installation

1. Partition the sd card in order to create an ext4 partition. hekate's partition manager can be used for that: Tools -> Partition SD Card.

   1. The process in hekate is destructive, so you need to backup your fat partition files (if they are more than 1GB total) or emuMMC.

   2. Move the sliders as you want them and then hit next. You will have plenty of chances/warns to backup your stuff if it's needed.

2. Make sure your Switch is connected via usb to your PC/Device and Select SD UMS

3. Extract your distro of choice 7z directly to SD

4. Safely unmount and flash via hekate's Flash Linux

5. Then go to Home and Nyx options and dump your joycon BT pairing

6. Return to hekate's Home menu and choose "More Configs"

7. Boot

Distributions layout

bootloader
|- ini
|  |- L4T-XXXXXXX.ini
switchroot
|- install
|   |- l4t.00        (4092 MiB parts. Last part can be 4 MiB aligned)
|   |- l4t.01
|   |- ...
|   |- l4t.XX
|- ubuntu
     |- boot.scr
     |- bl31.bin
     |- bl33.bin
     |- uImage
     |- initramfs
     |- nx-plat.dtimg