SwitchSetup

Free · Open source · No ads

Your Switch SD card,
ready in minutes.

Pick your homebrew. SwitchSetup downloads the latest official releases of Atmosphère, Hekate and your favourite apps, and writes every file to your SD card exactly where it belongs.

Build your SD card online Windows app

Nothing to install: works in any browser on Windows, Mac and Linux.

SwitchSetup showing package presets, the package list and an inserted SD card ready to update

Everything you need, nothing you don't

Built to be the easiest and safest way to set up or update a homebrew SD card.

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Always the latest versions

Every file comes straight from the official GitHub release of each project. Nothing is re-hosted, so nothing goes stale.

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Right in your browser

Build online and get a ready ZIP, or write straight to your SD card in Chrome and Edge. Nothing to install.

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One-click updates

SwitchSetup remembers what it installed and shows exactly which packages have updates the next time you plug the card in.

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Safe by design

It only lists removable drives, downloads everything before touching the card, and backs up your old files on clean updates.

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Keeps what matters

Your games, saves, emuMMC, Nintendo folder and mods in atmosphere/contents are never touched.

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Smart defaults

Includes the switch.hacks.guide recommended configs: a ready boot menu and host files that block Nintendo's servers.

Three steps. That's it.

  1. 1

    Pick your packages

    Open the online builder and start from the Recommended preset, or choose exactly what you want.

  2. 2

    Choose ZIP or SD card

    Download a ready ZIP, or select your SD card and SwitchSetup writes the files for you.

  3. 3

    Click Build

    Files with the same name are replaced with the new versions automatically. Eject the card and put it in your Switch.

What's included

Every package is optional except the two needed to boot. Each one belongs to its authors.

Atmosphère custom firmware Hekate & Nyx bootloader Recommended configs JKSV save manager Homebrew App Store ftpd FTP server Checkpoint saves NX-Shell file manager Goldleaf multitool NXThemes Installer TegraExplorer payload Ultrahand overlay menu Status Monitor FPS & temps MissionControl Bluetooth controllers sys-con USB controllers ldn_mitm LAN play emuiibo virtual amiibo sys-clk clock control Fizeau screen colors QuickNTP clock sync sys-patch optional, off by default

Questions

Is it free?

Yes, completely: no ads, no accounts, no tracking. If it saves you time, you can support it on Ko-fi.

Do I need to install anything?

No. The online builder works in any modern browser. The Windows app is optional: it adds automatic SD card detection, an eject button and backups on your PC.

What happens to files that already exist on my card?

Files with the same name are replaced with the new versions, with no errors or prompts when writing directly to the card. When extracting a ZIP yourself, choose Replace the files in the destination. Your games, saves and other files are left alone.

Windows says "Windows protected your PC" for the app. Is it safe?

That message appears for new apps that aren't code-signed yet. Click More info → Run anyway. The app is open source, and it's built automatically from the code on GitHub, so you can check exactly what it does.

Does this hack my Switch?

No. SwitchSetup only prepares the SD card. To run custom firmware you need a console that can boot payloads (an unpatched Switch in RCM mode, or one with a modchip). Follow switch.hacks.guide to learn whether yours can, and how to set up an emuMMC.

Will I get banned?

Any homebrew carries some risk. The recommended configs reduce it: they block Nintendo's servers and hide your console's serial number on emuMMC. Keep homebrew on an emuMMC and stay offline in CFW.

Will it delete my games or saves?

No. It only replaces Atmosphère, Hekate and the apps you pick. A clean update backs up the old system files to your PC first.

Does it support piracy?

No. SwitchSetup never includes or links to game files, keys or piracy tools. An optional sys-patch module (signature patches) is available for homebrew that needs it. It's off by default, isn't part of any preset, and asks you to confirm a warning before it can be added. Using it to run pirated games is illegal.

Mac or Linux?

Yes: use the online builder. It works on every system. Writing straight to the SD card needs Chrome, Edge or Opera; in other browsers, download the ZIP.

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Keep SwitchSetup going

SwitchSetup is free and ad-free. Donations pay for the domain and the time spent keeping packages working when projects change.

Support on Ko-fi