The complete Atmosphère patch from start to finish: from preparing the microSD to the first boot of the Switch under Atmosphère, step by step, with explanations about partitions. This guide only covers the installation of the custom firmware for legitimate purposes (homebrews, save backups, customization). It does not and will not contain any instructions related to game piracy.
First, check if your console is compatible using the serial number checker. Prepare a quality microSD card (64 GB minimum, 128 GB recommended), a way to enter RCM mode (a jig or paperclip for Erista models), and a reliable USB-C cable. Consult the Basics page for fundamental concepts and the risks of bans.
No game installations, no circumvention of protections, no pirated content. Atmosphère is a legal, open-source custom firmware; how you use it is your own responsibility.
Before any modification, make a complete backup of your console's NAND and keys from hekate. Store these files on your computer, not just on the card: they are your only insurance in case of a problem.
Format the card as FAT32 (32 or 64 KB allocation size), never as exFAT, which is too fragile on the Switch. On Windows, use a tool like GUIFormat or hekate itself, as Windows no longer offers FAT32 for drives larger than 32 GB. The detailed guide is on the microSD page.
Two approaches exist:
• emuMMC on a dedicated partition (recommended): a hidden partition at the end of the card contains an exact copy of the internal memory. The official system (sysMMC) remains untouched and clean. hekate handles the partitioning automatically.
• File-based emuMMC: the copy is stored as files on the FAT32 partition. Simpler, but less robust and slower.
Without emuMMC, Atmosphère runs directly on the sysMMC—everything you do can leave traces visible to Nintendo.
Boot into RCM for the first time with the hekate payload (step 3), go to Tools → Partition SD Card, leave the default emuMMC size (around 29 GB), and then confirm. hekate creates the hidden partition and reformats the rest as FAT32. The entire content of the card will be erased: back it up first.
Get the latest version of Atmosphère and hekate from their official GitHub repositories (links on the Atmosphère page), as well as the "fusee" and "package3" files provided with Atmosphère. Always use official sources, never pre-made packs from unknown origins.
Extract the archives to the root of the card: the atmosphere, bootloader, and switch (for homebrews) folders, and the hekate_ipl.ini and payload.bin files. The exact structure is described on the Atmosphère page and in the official guide.
Always eject the card safely from your operating system before removing it. An interrupted copy is the primary cause of a console getting stuck on a black screen at startup.
This section follows the method from the reference video step-by-step: each file is downloaded separately from its source, then placed in a specific location on the microSD. Download everything first, then copy it all at once.
See the "Patch Files" page (detailed versions and notes)
| File | Direct download | Official source | Location on the card |
|---|---|---|---|
hekate_ctcaer_6.5.3_Nyx_1.9.3.zip |
Download v6.5.3 | All versions | Extract to root — creates /bootloader/ |
hekate_ipl.ini (Hekate Config) community source |
Download | hekate documentation | /bootloader/hekate_ipl.ini |
emummc.txt (emuMMC) community source |
Download | nintendohomebrew.com | /emuMMC/emummc.txt — in the emuMMC folder |
bootlogos.zip (Bootlogos) |
Download | switch.hacks.guide | /bootloader/bootlogos/ |
atmosphere-1.11.2-master-…+hbl-2.4.5+hbmenu-3.6.1.zip |
Download 1.11.2 fusee.bin |
All versions | Extract to root — creates /atmosphere/ and fusee.bin |
JKSV.nro — game save manager |
Download | All versions | /switch/JKSV.nro |
ftpd-classic.nro — FTP file transfer |
Download v3.2.1 | All versions | /switch/ftpd-classic.nro |
NXThemesInstaller.nro (SwitchThemeInjector) — custom themes |
Download 3.0.1 | All versions | /switch/NXThemesInstaller.nro |
NX-Shell.nro — file browser |
Download 4.01 | All versions | /switch/NX-Shell.nro |
Goldleaf.nro — homebrew content manager |
Download 1.2.0 | All versions | /switch/Goldleaf.nro |
hekate 6.5.2 and Atmosphère 1.11.1 are the versions used in the video; check the Atmosphère page for newer versions and prioritize using them. Never use pre-made packs from unknown origins: the two files marked 'community source' are the only exceptions, provided by the community to simplify configuration.
The five .nro files copied into /switch/ will appear in Atmosphère's homebrew menu: game save backups (JKSV), FTP transfers (ftpd), themes (NXThemesInstaller), file browser (NX-Shell), and content manager (Goldleaf). All are legal, open-source projects.
microSD/
├── atmosphere/
├── bootloader/
│ ├── hekate_ipl.ini
│ ├── bootlogos/
│ └── payloads/
├── emuMMC/
│ └── emummc.txt
├── switch/
│ ├── JKSV.nro
│ ├── ftpd-classic.nro
│ ├── NXThemesInstaller.nro
│ ├── NX-Shell.nro
│ └── Goldleaf.nro
└── fusee.binOnce partitioning and creation are complete, go back to emuMMC → Change emuMMC and verify that RAW1 is activated (it should say "Enabled!"). This hidden partition is where Atmosphère will be hosted.
Hekate's partitioning process erases the card: if you partitioned it after copying the files, plug the card back into your PC and copy the entire pack (from the table above) onto the newly created FAT32 partition.
From the hekate menu: Launch → Atmosphère emuMMC (label provided by the hekate_ipl.ini file). The first boot is longer: the console is rebuilding its caches.
In System Settings → System, the version should display "AMS" (Atmosphère) and "E" (emuMMC). Then, open the Album while holding R: the homebrew menu should list JKSV, ftpd, NXThemesInstaller, NX-Shell, and Goldleaf.
With the console completely powered off. On an Erista model: insert the jig into the right Joy-Con rail, hold Volume +, and press Power. The screen will remain black: this is normal, the console is waiting for a payload. On modchipped Mariko/OLED models, the modified boot process happens automatically depending on the installed chip.
Connect the console to your computer via USB and send the hekate payload using an injector (TegraRcmGUI, Rekado on Android, or a dongle). The hekate menu will appear: you can now unplug the cable.
In hekate: emuMMC → Create emuMMC → SD Partition. The creation process takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on the card. Once finished, enable it (Change emuMMC → RAW1). Your system copy is ready.
Still in hekate: Tools → Backup eMMC (BOOT0/1 then RAW GPP) and retrieve the keys via the dedicated menu. Copy the backup folder to your computer immediately.
From hekate: Launch → Atmosphère (emuMMC). The console will boot into the modified copy. To return to the clean, official system, launch the sysMMC—never use modified content on it.
In the System Settings, the displayed version should include a suffix indicating Atmosphère (e.g., "AMS" and "E" for emuMMC). The homebrew menu opens by holding R while launching the Album.
Block Nintendo servers on the emuMMC (using dedicated DNS or airplane mode), and keep online play exclusively on the official sysMMC. All precautions are detailed on the Bans page.
For every console or Atmosphère update: first, update Atmosphère and hekate, test on emuMMC, and only then update the sysMMC through official channels. The complete procedure is on the Atmosphère page.
| Element | Location | Role | Modified content? |
|---|---|---|---|
| sysMMC | Console's internal memory | Official Nintendo system, online play | No — must stay clean |
| emuMMC (partition) | Hidden partition at the end of the microSD | System copy where Atmosphère runs | Yes — everything happens here |
| FAT32 Partition | Beginning of the microSD | Atmosphère files, hekate, homebrews, saves | Files only |
| Payload | Injected on each boot (Erista) | Loads hekate, which launches Atmosphère or sysMMC | Volatile — nothing is written without emuMMC/CFW |
These operations carry a risk of bricking the console if performed incorrectly, and Nintendo may ban modified consoles from online play. Follow the official documentation step-by-step, make your backups, and stay within a legal framework. Last check of this page: September 2026.
switch.hacks.guide (reference guide), official GitHub repositories Atmosphère and hekate.