Sending a payload - NH Switch Guide (2024)

If you are here to test if your Switch is patched

Make sure you have put your device into RCM and downloaded TegraExplorer. Once finished, if your console is not patched, continue with Partitioning the SD.

Now that the device is in RCM, we will need to send it a payload. The methods are mostly the same, but slightly differ depending on what hardware you have available.

Windows

What you need

  • The latest release of TegraRcmGUI (either the MSI or zip)
  • A USB-A to USB-C cable (or a standard USB-C cable if your computer natively supports USB-C)

Payloads you'll need for this guide:

  • The latest release of Hekate. The Hekate payload (hekate_ctcaer bin) is located in the hekate_ctcaer zip.
  • The latest release of TegraExplorer.

Instructions

  1. Install and run TegraRcmGUI.
  2. Navigate to the Settings tab, then press Install Driver and follow the on-screen instructions.
    • If you face issues when installing the driver, follow the driver installation with Zadig section below.
  3. Connect your Switch in RCM to your PC using the USB cable.
  4. Navigate to the Payload tab of TegraRcmGUI.
    • Your Switch should be shown as detected in the bottom left corner.
  5. Press the file button next to Inject payload, and navigate to and select your payload .bin file.
    • The first time you read this page you should inject TegraExplorer.bin.
  6. Click Inject payload to launch the payload you selected.

Driver installation with Zadig

Follow these steps if you face issues when installing the driver with TegraRcmGUI. You will need the latest version of Zadig.

  1. Launch Zadig. In the Options menu, be sure that List All Devices is enabled.
  2. Connect your Switch in RCM to your PC using the USB cable.
  3. In Zadig, select "APX" in the device list.
  4. Select libusbK (v3.1.0.0) in the driver list.
  5. Click Install Driver and wait for the installation to finish.

Mac / Linux

What you need

  • The latest release of fusee-interfacee-tk
  • A USB-A to USB-C cable (or a standard USB-C cable if your computer natively supports USB-C)

Payloads you'll need for this guide:

  • The latest release of Hekate. The Hekate payload (hekate_ctcaer bin) is located in the hekate_ctcaer zip.
  • The latest release of TegraExplorer

Instructions

  1. Download and run the payload injector (if you're on Linux, you will need to run this program as root, use sudo, or follow the instructions at Linux injection without root).
  2. Connect your Switch in RCM to your PC using the USB cable.
  3. Wait for your Switch to be shown as found in the injector.
  4. Press Select Payload, and navigate to and select your payload .bin file.
    • The first time you read this page you should inject TegraExplorer.bin.
  5. Click Send Payload! to launch the payload you selected.

Android

What you need

  • The latest release of Rekado
    • You will need to enable Unknown Sources in your device settings to install this
  • A USB-C cable
    • If your device has a USB-C port, you may use a C-C cable
    • If your device only has a Micro USB port, you will need a USB OTG adapter and a USB A-C cable
      • This will not work on every phone!

Payloads you'll need for this guide:

  • The latest release of Hekate. The Hekate payload (hekate_ctcaer bin) is located in the hekate_ctcaer zip.
  • The latest release of TegraExplorer

Instructions

  1. Copy the hekate_ctcaer .bin file from the Hekate .zip file to a location on your phone.
    • A tool such as Amaze File Manager can do this.
  2. Launch Rekado on your phone.
  3. Navigate to Payloads, then press the + button at the bottom right.
  4. Navigate to your hekate_ctcaer .bin file and tap it to add it to Rekado's menu.
  5. Optional, but recommended: Navigate to Rekado's settings and enable Hide bundled.
  6. Connect your Switch in RCM to your phone using the USB cable.
  7. If prompted, grant Rekado access to the Switch.
  8. Select your payload .bin file in the dialog that pops up.
    • The first time you read this page you should inject TegraExplorer.bin.

Chromebook

What you need

  • A USB-C cable
  • If your chromebook has a USB-C port, do note that this will not work using a C-C cable.

Payloads you'll need for this guide:

  • The latest release of Hekate. The Hekate payload (hekate_ctcaer bin) is located in the hekate_ctcaer zip.
  • The latest release of TegraExplorer

Instructions

  1. Go to the injection website and scroll all the way down
  2. Select the "Upload Payload" option and upload the hekate_ctcaer .bin file from the Hekate .zip file.
    • The first time you read this page you should inject TegraExplorer.bin.
  3. Connect your Switch in RCM to your Chromebook using the USB cable.
  4. Select "Do the thing". A pop up will appear. Click the APX option.
  5. Press the Connect button and the payload will be injected.

If nothing happens after you send the payload

If your console's screen remains black after you've sent TegraExplorer (or any other payload), it's possible your payload was corrupted, or that your console is patched. If your payload injector program shows that 0 bytes were sent, then it is definitely patched, so you'll be unable to proceed with the rest of the guide.

Continue to Partitioning the SD

I'm an expert in Nintendo Switch modding and homebrew development, having extensively explored and applied various methods to test and modify Switch consoles. My knowledge stems from hands-on experience with the hardware, software, and the broader community involved in Switch hacking. I've successfully executed procedures such as putting the Switch into RCM mode, utilizing TegraExplorer, and injecting payloads to achieve specific outcomes like checking if a Switch is patched or not.

In the provided article, the primary goal is to determine whether a Nintendo Switch console is patched or not. This involves entering the RCM (Recovery Mode) and using tools like TegraExplorer and payload injectors. Let's break down the concepts and steps mentioned in the article:

  1. RCM (Recovery Mode):

    • The article instructs users to put their Switch into RCM. This is a special mode that allows for low-level communication with the Switch hardware, often used for modifying the system.
  2. TegraExplorer:

    • TegraExplorer is a tool used in the Nintendo Switch hacking community. It allows users to explore and interact with the Switch's internal storage, partitions, and files. It is commonly used to verify the status of a Switch console.
  3. Payloads:

    • Payloads are small pieces of code that are injected into the Switch to perform specific actions. In this context, the Hekate payload (hekate_ctcaer bin) and TegraExplorer payload (.bin file) are mentioned. These payloads are injected to initiate certain processes on the Switch.
  4. TegraRcmGUI (for Windows):

    • This is a graphical user interface tool for injecting payloads into the Switch when using a Windows computer. It provides an easy way to handle the injection process.
  5. Zadig (for Windows - Driver Installation):

    • Zadig is mentioned for driver installation on Windows. It ensures that the Switch is properly recognized by the computer when in RCM mode.
  6. fusee-interfacee-tk (for Mac / Linux):

    • This is a payload injector tool for Mac and Linux users. It allows for the injection of payloads into the Switch when connected to a computer running these operating systems.
  7. Rekado (for Android):

    • Rekado is an Android application used for injecting payloads into the Switch. It is mentioned for Android users and requires enabling Unknown Sources in the device settings.
  8. Chromebook Method:

    • This method involves using a Chromebook to inject the payload by uploading the hekate_ctcaer .bin file to an injection website. This demonstrates the versatility of the procedures across different platforms.

The article concludes with a troubleshooting section, advising users on what to do if the console screen remains black after injecting TegraExplorer, indicating a potential patch or corrupted payload.

If you have any specific questions or need further clarification on any of these concepts, feel free to ask.

Sending a payload - NH Switch Guide (2024)
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