Switch (v1) Storage Upgrade

[@tumbles8350]

"I'm not hacking, I'm just messing with the hardware" Nintendo: so, you have chosen death

[@makho]

I hope not but I guess we'll see.

[@bosspapob]

@@makho so how is it?

[@makho]

@@bosspapob My Switch? I still use it and it's fine, I guess.

[@bosspapob]

@@makho is it banned?

[@makho]

@@bosspapob Nope. Just played Advance Wars last week.

[@ediik]

Nice!!! i did this a 3 yrs with a 256GB Module. Abosultely worth it

[@inclinerd]

Does the 200 MB/s speed affect loading speeds drastically?

[@makho]

@@inclinerd Mine is limited to that speed because of the chip I installed. There are higher speed 128 and 256 GB modules, I just didn't install one. And no, it doesn't. Not in a way that is noticeable, anyway.

[@philipdtell]

I would love to talk with you about your process

[@lapelatomates5724]

It maybe didn't worked for an upgrade but i think i can use this emthod to recover my broken emmc, wiht another exact one. Thats nice!

[@-HDR]

Oh boy, here we go again

[@j.a.styles547]

Soldering that BGA is intense haha, glad it worked!!

[@makho]

Using the proper tools (like a holder for the board) would have made a huge difference lol

[@j.a.styles547]

Yeah , but at least i will have the confidence that it is feasible to do it without the fancy reballing station and such lol

[@1997LT1Camaro]

Nintendo isn’t smart in this aspect. They made it where people want to mod because Nintendo left storage so small.

[@valshaped]

Booting without an eMMC installed will just drop you into RCM. You have to hard-poweroff or unplug the battery to get out of it (or push a payload on vulnerable units, or push a Nintendo-signed command to shut it down, but glhf with that)

[@trilexfix]

Also you can use helping hands so the tiny Emmc does move around while soldering or a board holder

[@gumbyx84]

Great and informative video. Sucks the new eMMC didn't work.

[@Soul94255]

oh shit Mahko face reveal?

[@draconairus]

Hey! First of all great video, very well explained and interesting! Now I have a question that maybe you have the answer. I have a blue screen switch, lucky for me I have the boot0, boot1 and NAND files backed up from when it wasn't on blue screen (but I don't have the bis keys), so my question is: can I use that emmc reader to dump the NAND backup to that pre-corrupt state? Or at least being able to dump the NAND backup on a new emmc module? I guess it should work but you're the expert here.

[@makho]

If you have a full nand dump (including the boot partitions), you can just restore it to another module and swap that in. If your backup is from an older version and you've installed an update that burns an efuse, you'll have to do other things to get that backup booting though. If v1 switch, just cfw to boot until you can update it. Of course, this will only work if your problem is hardware related and due to a failed nand. Otherwise just restore the backup you already made on the nand you already have.

[@draconairus]

@@makho The backup and the switch are both on the same version so that won't be a problem. Now, regarding about the problem, I've been told that most of the times BOSD happens because of a software problem (like 90% of times because of a corrupt NAND) so I suppose that dumping a full working NAND backup overwriting the corrupt NAND should work right? Also someone from my city told me that the processor may be broken but I don't think that's the case, also people on reddit told that he didn't wanted to work because it doesn't make sense 95% of the times. I don't really know since I'm not an expert on switch hacking but I'm slowly learning bit by bit, I still have hopes to revive my switch this way, and if not maybe there would be another solution somewhere else on the internet idk. Let me know your thoughts about my assumptions, also if you want I can give you more details about the full problem of the console.

[@makho]

@@draconairus If the problem is corrupt software (which is nearly impossible to do without modding the device), then restoring your backup will fix it. Blue screen does not indicate corrupt software though. It indicates a general fault with the console. switchbrew.org/wiki/Panic_codes#:~:text=Panic%20codes%20All%20elements%20in%20the%20Switch%27s%20boot,reboot%20by%20programming%20a%20dedicated%20hardware%20watchdog%20%28WDT4%29.

[@eclecticismification]

Pro Tip: When watching a video make sure the it starts at the beginning and not a timestamp that makes you think it's the beginning. I watched this 3 times from the wrong point, lol. Is there a video or guide about using the 64GB module bought from Ali? BTW I went through the list for all the videos and definitely will be checking out the Gameboy ones later, couldn't see one for the 64GB modules. I just couldn't see a 64GB module one, though will be watching a few when I get time.

[@makho]

64gb module was off aliexpress. I just restored a firmware backup to it and then expanded the partition. There's guides out there in sketchier parts of the internet but I'm fairly certain that there are tools you can run in hekate to do it for you.

[@TerryDeSimone]

What if you just expand the /dev/mmcblk2p10 partition (reading and backing up that GUID as well, in case), but expanding the p10 to the end of where p11 would be.. then initialize again.. (expand without losing existing data) --- Or if the 2.5gig p10 partition isn't the one you want to expand, you have a backup files, you could separate each partition (p1 to p11)(or write out each one separate to a file), then pick another p(1|9) partition, expand it, (getting the amount of space to expand by.. just get the total # of sectors of p11, then add those to whatever p you expand) then read all the partitions back in order into a .bin file.. then write it back to NAND as you did 1st time.. then initialize again.. These are just guesses based off my experience with drives & partitions.. but it might work..

[@makho]

unfortunately, the encryption means that won't work. About the only thing not encrypted is the partition table itself. I did actually try that off screen before publishing this video and the Switch will refuse to boot since it can no longer decrypt the (no longer encrypted but still empty) data partition. Without the console specific keys, about all you can do is read and write the data as-is to the flash memory. Any manipulation of any data other than the GPT partition tables will fail. I was hoping that this would work, even if it means initializing the console and deleting all the data but I just can't find a work around that does not require the decryption keys, even if I don't care to preserve the data. Good idea though

[@shidoitsuka6651]

hello very well, I see that you know a lot about the console and everything that has to do with the tests, a question if you are so kind, you already know how to find the point to solder to create a bluetooth button for the joycon without the need for FLEX SL /SR? What happens is that the FLEX connector of the right joycon broke and the SL/SR does not respond and the bluetooth button stops working to pair the controls of the switch and the pc that I use a lot in the latter, and I have not thought about buying another flex since it is the second one that breaks and I better try to create a bridge to install a button in the points where the bluetooth button should go

[@JakeGraham1995]

I have a switch that keeps getting a slow Emmc error, I have transferred the nand backup to two new emmc modules but it persists - any advice?

[@af6727]

Great video. A reference for Nand backup. I also have a dumpy lite that I practice reballing with. It got to the point where the emmc got burned. I have a full backup of my Lite (including boot0,1). Since I have a v1 switch laying around. Can I just grab that emmc module with its nand and restore my lite backup into it using mmcblkNX? DDing it in reverse just like you did? Thanks again,

[@makho]

So long as you have the backup for the same switch, I don't see why not

[@af6727]

@@makho Thanks brother. Your video inspired me to try it out and I successfully replaced my modded V2 with an OLED’s eMMC (60gb). Since I have the keys for the console, how can I get it to recognize the new storage? Still the same after initilaztion

[@makho]

@@af6727All that mucking about I did in the video with partition tables and decrypting is when I was expanding the data partition.

[@junkmauler]

Any idea where to get the EMMC programmer nowadays? Only ones I see are on Aliexpress and there's Type7, Type8, and U2 so I'm not sure what to get. I'm trying to repair my bad EMMC on my HAC-001. Already purchased a replacement 32GB OEM module, just need to erase and re-constitute my nand backup.

[@Fix_8080]

Hi, Any idea where to get the EMMC programmer nowadays? I can't find it in any store.. thanks

[@darthfener117]

Hello. Is the cable that connects the eMMC reader a normal USB cable or is it a special cable? I ask because I don't understand what it is from the video, and not even from the images, even if USB is specified but the metal part has a too angular trapezoid shape, but maybe I'm wrong and it's a normal USB. I ask because I bought this reader and I wanted to know in advance if I will also receive the cable or not and if in case I will have to buy a Male-Male USB ... I wanted to get to work as soon as it arrives and in any case I want to be ready about it the cable.

[@makho]

mini USB

[@TheScarface74]

hi there i have the first generation of switch and ive cracked it it was working till one day it stoped starting on so ive take it to repaire shop so he tested all the couponed and was nothing wrong beside that the storage maybe was corporel so do u have any idea so reinstall the farmwear of the switch or do u know anyone can try to fix it . thx u for ur help

[@leandrao89]

Very good

[@qusayali938]

I have a 2017 device and I lost the NAND memory. Is there a solution to replace it with another part for a different device?

[@makho]

So long as you have the CPU key, I believe you can just use a generic NAND image now. I'm not sure the details on that though.

[@zeefixhub]

they dont have stock for that EMMC reader

[@huntergrogan9851]

Where did you get that clear shell at?

[@deathwishsquish9142]

i have never rly assumed there is an advantage to upgrading emmc? is it all that faster than micro sd? i suppose if you are wanting a better sysnand with more space for your actual real games vs sd card exclusively for emunand kind of thing it makes sense to do?

[@makho]

most emmc is faster than most micro sd and it does make a difference in load times in some cases. Like I mentioned in the beginning, the most efficient storage upgrade is still to just buy a larger (fast) micro SD.

[@CometDrifter]

Where did you get your joy con housings they look awesome.

[@makho]

shells are some generic ones I picked up in 2018 ish. Buttons are custom cast resin from madmorda

[@MioAppreciator]

are the encryption keys console specific or emmc specific? could you move the emmc to a hackable (without modchip) switch and get the keys that way? sorry if it's a dumb question

[@makho]

The encryption is not reversible. If you want to modify the content of the storage partition or the size of the storage partition, you need to get the key from the Switch itself, not the emmc. It is normally not possible to extract this key from the Switch.

[@ItzRuleBlitz]

Rip if only I had skipped to the end

[@mohandmohand2047]

For the lunix can i read nand with conect nintendo switch to PC or must buy this reader????

[@makho]

You cannot read the NAND from the Switch except from hekate.

[@ClementYuan]

can directly mount the boot partition and replace the file? What file system used for boot partition?

[@makho]

Probably fat32 but it's also probably encrypted.

[@boufas_mohamed]

Is error code 2002-4373 related to emmc ?

[@ProjectDv2]

So why on earth were you talking about playing musical chairs with the chips so much? Like, why bother backing up the donor chip when it's just getting discarded? Why take the extra steps that necessitates re-balling? Just put the big chip in the donor board, reflash it with your console's data, put it in the system. Leave the original intact and unmolested. Why would I want to backup an Odin chip, what could I possibly want off off it that I could possibly do anything with?

[@makho]

ODIN is the code name for the prototype/dev hardware. It would be foolish to wipe the chip without first backing it up on case there is anything interesting in there. The encryption largely makes that a moot point but since I didn't do that, I'll never know. Backing up data is cheap. Recovering data is not.

[@ProjectDv2]

@@makho the problem is the encryption. Whatever was on there, assuming anything was to begin with, is effectively useless. And someone has probably already backed it up at this point, so I wouldn't be super worried about the loss. And you are right, backing up data is cheap, but reballing and soldering BGAs without a proper template and jig is not, it is expensive in time and effort. I argue that the juice is not worth the squeeze here.

[@SuperBrunh]

Hi , I'm have one hac-emmc not working 😕 maybe need by reballing , can you do?

[@makho]

nope, sorry, I don't take commissions

[@NordicSoul95]

What flux are you using? That’s nasty

[@kloklojul]

anyone knows where to get another emmc chip? looks like most sellers dont have any chips with 256 or more anymore

[@makho]

Old tablets and laptops can be used for salvage but I guess you're not likely to find anything in that size. I am not aware of any more common parts in the same footprint but with a passive adapter, most eMMC modules should be relatively painless to shoehorn in.

[@cloverhover3996]

how much the 64gb module? i wanted to upgrade mine to 128gb if available...

[@makho]

It was around $20 when I bought it. If you watch the video, you will hear me mention how they're no longer available.

[@Cart1416]

Linux? I love Linux

[@gianlucamarchese4287]

avento la EMMC rotta,ho il backup nand,si puo mettere una nuova con questo tool?

[@makho]

yes

[@trilexfix]

The eMMC is married to the CPU right so you cant just put another one on right? I am asking cause they sell em on mobile sentrix which I find strange.

[@makho]

The eMMC isn't but the data on it is. You cannot replace the eMMC without first getting all of the (encrypted) data off the original.

[@trilexfix]

@@makho can doing what you did fix a blue screen of death?

[@trilexfix]

@UC5FYpo9lFqK1Y7wqjPuANFw I can appreciate the effort you have done but can't you get a storage upgrade by just inserting a good microSD card that has a lot of store like 1 or 2tb?

[@makho]

@@trilexfix depends on what specifically is causing the problem. Likely no.

[@trilexfix]

@@makho what can fix a blue screen of death if the eMMC is the issue?

[@SoundFantasy]

Dump the chip's content first please. There are sometimes rare builds on these that seem deleted but really aren't. First party Nintendo prototypes. Thanks to anyone reading this just a heads up.

[@makho]

100%. I didn't dump my 64gb module first and I still regret it. There was probably nothing interesting on it but I'll never know.

[@1997LT1Camaro]

Can you elaborate on what is cool about the builds that are hidden? I don’t know much about this.

[@SoundFantasy]

@@1997LT1Camaro KZbin won't allow me to post links

[@SoundFantasy]

@@1997LT1Camaro tcrf Proto:Mario_Kart_8_Deluxe You can read more on it here. Basically Chinese recyclers take first party kits that were supposedly wiped and sell off the higher than usual storage emmc. These emmc have Nintendo buildings dating back to when the Switch was called NX sometimes. Hence why it's important to back up these chips before using them on hobbyist projects. birdwebsite forestillusion status number "1453552317966413824" Had to edit to bypass weird KZbin auto deletion bots. You can find the links I think though with link reconstruction.

[@gungan5822]

Just blast it with compressed air to evaporate the IPA.

[@makho]

lol

[@Spazza42]

Is this storage upgrade possible from a v2 switch?

[@makho]

Electrically, yeah, but the same caveat applies. To make use of the extra space available, you NEED your console specific decryption keys.

[@Essjaythegreat]

What is the point of doing this??

[@makho]

More internal storage

[@Essjaythegreat]

@@makho Yes I understand that, but the cost time and effort of doing this, why do it over just buying and inserting an sd card??

[@makho]

@@Essjaythegreat because I can? And when I did this, 128gb eMMC chips were dirt cheap.

[@Essjaythegreat]

@@makho fair point, enjoy 👍🏾

[@justin6125]

Dude who tf nintendo thinks they are 😂 People are going to do what they want with hardware they purchased regardless of what they say or do

[@Suhayl_Khatib]

I’m gonna guess there’s no way to use this on OFW? 😂

[@makho]

You can use on OFW (that's how I use mine). You just need to be able to run CFW to get the decryption keys.

[@Suhayl_Khatib]

@@makho Now that’s cool!

[@mohandmohand2047]

You say hyper pasword... From where you get pasword????

[@makho]

? You mean the secret keys? It's unique to each console and you need a mod chip (or any other way to boot hekate) to get them.

[@AlanCozziJr]

Seconth

[@but_iWantedTo_speakGerman]

Would Linux runing on a Mac via virtual PC via Parallels App be viable for the linux portion of this video?

[@makho]

Native mac would probably be fine. My understanding is that it's just how Windows handles SD class storage devices (which normally don't have hidden or boot partitions). You can test by just plugging it in and seeing if you can see the BOOT0 and BOOT1 partitions. If you have to use a VM (and parallels is a VM), you will need a way to pass the entire removable device to the VM and I don't know how well macOS or Parallels handles that.

[@qusayali938]

@@makho I lost the original Nintendo swich emmc and I do not have the code for my device or any information. Is there a solution?

[@makho]

@@qusayali938 I am unaware of any methods to extract encryption keys from an encrypted device. All methods I'm aware of require the device to be first de-encrypted which requires the paired NAND that your console would have shipped with.