How to Check if Your Nintendo Switch Is Moddable (2024)

Whether you can modify your Switch can be a confusing question. There are definitely modded Switches out there, but the system is so locked down that it can seem impossible to figure out what to do or if you can even do anything.

Let's have a look at exactly how you can determine if your Switch can be modded.

Requirements to Mod a Nintendo Switch

Aside from the Switch itself, there are a couple of other hard requirements. The process is significantly more involved than modding the Wii U and it starts with what type of Switch you own.

Firstly, you'll need a device to manage the modification process. This can be one of the following:

• A PC with a USB cable that can transfer data to your Switch.
• An Android phone or device with a USB cable that can transfer data.
• A jailbroken iOS device with a compatible USB capable that can transfer data.

You'll also need an SD card, but you'll most likely already have one in your Switch for downloaded games.

Secondly, you'll need to make sure that your Switch is a specific vulnerable model, as well as being unpatched. That tends to be the trickiest part, so that's what we'll be looking at today.

Please note that the Switch Lite and OLED models are currently impossible to load custom firmware on. If you're looking to buy a Switch exclusively to mod it, this is just another difference between the Nintendo Switch and the Switch Lite that you should consider.

How to Check if Your Nintendo Switch Is a Launch Model

Launch model Switches, as well as a handful of following models, are the only type of Switch that is vulnerable to custom firmware exploits.

This means if you've brought your Switch new and outside the launch window, it's very unlikely that Switch can be modded.

This can be easily identified by checking out the serial number of your Switch.

This can either be done by looking at the white sticker on the bottom of your physical device, or by navigating to System Settings, then System, and opening up Serial Information on your Switch.

You can compare the serial number of your Switch to the serial numbers listed here. Anything that falls within the Unpatched or Potentially Patched columns is a sign you can move on to the next check.

How to Check if Your Nintendo Switch Is Unpatched

Once you've confirmed that your Switch is a vulnerable model, you'll want to make sure that you're running the right version of the Switch software.

Assuming you're on a launch model, the differences between the patches mostly dictate what type of exploit you can use. Later patches require the use of RCM, or ReCovery Mode, whereas earlier patches allow a software-only modification.

RCM requirements significantly increase the difficulty of modding the Switch, and without special hardware, RCM exploits may be impossible for some users.

You can check this information by visiting System Settings again. Go into System and check underneath the System Update option.

Anything above version 8.1.0 is difficult, if not impossible, to load exploits into. If you're running higher than 8.1.0, you'll be limited to RCM exploits assuming you have a launch Switch.

If you are below version 8.1.0, you have software-based solutions that are not only easier to install, but more reliable as well.

Essentially, you're looking for a launch model Switch that happens to be running software earlier than the 8.1.0 version.

Once you have determined what type of mod you can apply to your Switch, you can go forward with the popular online guide, NH Switch Guide on GitHub to figure out where to go from here.

Get the Most From Your Switch, if Possible

Modding the Nintendo Switch can be a difficult process, and it's made even harder with these strict requirements.

Still, if you're able to, modding the Switch will grant you access to a wide range of custom firmware and homebrew games that would otherwise be impossible to use.

Above all, make sure you proceed with care, as any modification to your Switch can be a potentially risky endeavor.