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>_ Injecting the payload without a PC: Preparing an RCM Loader

Three ways to boot into Atmosphère without connecting your Switch to a computer: an RCM Loader dongle, an Android phone, and AutoRCM. Once the Atmosphère patch is installed and your microSD is ready, this is what makes daily use convenient. This guide is limited to the legitimate installation of an open-source custom firmware—no instructions related to game piracy will be provided.

The Problem

On an unpatched Erista Switch, booting into Atmosphère requires entering RCM mode (jig + Volume Up + Power) and then injecting a payload each time. By default, this injection is done from a PC using TegraRcmGUI. An RCM Loader or a phone can replace the PC for this task.

Prerequisites

A console confirmed to be RCM compatible by the checker, a microSD card that is already prepared (microSD guide) and Atmosphère + hekate installed (patch guide). You will also need a reliable jig for the right Joy-Con.

Comparing the Three Methods

Method Hardware Jig still required? Best for
RCM Loader Dongle Battery-powered USB-C dongle (~€15-25) Yes The simplest and most reliable solution for daily use
Android Phone USB-C to USB-C cable or OTG adapter Yes Free if you already have an OTG-compatible Android phone
AutoRCM None (option in hekate) No Advanced users: the console will no longer boot without a payload injection

Method 1 — Preparing an RCM Loader Dongle

  1. Get the right payload. Download hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin from the official hekate repository. This is the file the dongle will send.
  2. Connect the dongle to your PC (one-time setup). Most RCM Loaders mount like a USB drive. Some models require you to press a button while plugging it in to enter storage mode—check your model's instructions.
  3. Copy the payload to the correct location. Rename the file to payload.bin and place it in the root of the dongle's storage. Models with multiple slots use payload1.bin, payload2.bin, etc.—one button per slot.
  4. Safely eject the dongle, then unplug it. It can be charged using any USB port.
  5. Daily use. Insert the jig into the right Joy-Con rail, hold Volume Up and press Power: the console will enter RCM mode (black screen). Plug in the USB-C dongle and press its button: hekate will appear. Remove the jig and the dongle, then launch Atmosphère from hekate.
  6. Updating. With each new hekate version, connect the dongle to your PC again and replace payload.bin. This is the only time you'll need a computer.

Choosing a Dongle

Choose a model with a rechargeable battery, a selection button, and a replaceable payload. Avoid dongles locked to a factory payload, as they become useless as soon as hekate is updated. A dongle itself is not illegal: it only sends a file that you have chosen.

Dongle not working?

Check the following in order: the console is actually in RCM (black screen, no logo), the USB-C cable is a data cable, the dongle is charged, and the file is named exactly payload.bin. A worn-out jig that no longer makes proper contact is the most common cause.

Method 2 — Injecting from an Android Phone

  1. Check your phone. It must support USB OTG (most recent Android devices do). iPhones cannot be used for this type of injection.
  2. Install a payload injector app. Use a reputable open-source app from the community, like NXLoader or Rekado, downloaded from its official GitHub repository rather than an unknown download site.
  3. Copy the payload to your phone. Place hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin in your phone's downloads folder and select it within the app.
  4. Connect the phone to the Switch. Use a USB-C to USB-C cable, or an OTG adapter if your phone has a micro-USB port.
  5. Inject the payload. Put the console in RCM (jig + Volume Up + Power), plug in the cable: Android will ask for permission to access the device, accept it, then start the injection. hekate will appear on the Switch.

Method 3 — AutoRCM: No More Button Combos

What it Changes

AutoRCM (which can be enabled in hekate's Tools menu) makes the console boot directly into RCM mode. You no longer need a jig or a button combination: just inject the payload.

The Downside

Without a payload injection, the console will remain on a black screen and appear to be dead. It can no longer boot on its own, and a completely drained battery in AutoRCM can be tricky to recover from. This should be reserved for users who always have a dongle or phone on hand.

Before Enabling

You must absolutely back up your NAND and your keys from hekate. This is what allows you to restore your system if something goes wrong. AutoRCM can be disabled from the same menu in hekate.

Reminder for Mariko and Switch OLED

Patched models (Mariko, Lite, OLED) do not have a software RCM mode: no dongle or app will work on them. The serial number checker will tell you which model you have.

Warning

These procedures carry a risk of bricking your console if performed incorrectly, and Nintendo can ban modified consoles from online play—see the risks of bans. Only use payloads from official repositories. This page was last checked: September 2026.

Sources

switch.hacks.guide, hekate repository (CTCaer), Atmosphère repository.