yuzu-emu.github.io/site/content/help/quickstart/index.md

title	description
Quickstart Guide	A guide designed to get you started with yuzu quickly.

Table of Contents

• Downloading and Installing yuzu
• Hardware Requirements
• Guide Introduction
• Prerequisites
• Preparing the microSD card
• Booting into RCM
• Booting into Hekate
• Mounting the microSD card to your computer in Hekate
• Dumping the Decryption Keys
• Backing up Switch NAND (Optional)
• Dumping System Firmware
• Dumping Cartridge Games
• Dumping Installed Titles (eShop)
• Dumping Save Files (Optional)
• Rebooting the Switch Back to its Original State
• Running yuzu

Downloading and Installing yuzu

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Hardware Requirements

CPU:

Any x86_64 CPU with support for the FMA instruction set. 6 threads or more are recommended.

• Minimum: Intel Core i5-4430 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200

• Recommended: Intel Core i5-10400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600

Dedicated graphics:

OpenGL 4.6 or Vulkan 1.1 compatible hardware and drivers are mandatory. Half-float support and 4GB of VRAM are recommended.

• Minimum for Linux: NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 2GB / AMD Radeon R7 240 2GB

• Minimum for Windows: NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 2GB / AMD Radeon RX 550 2GB

• Recommended: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB / AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 8GB

Integrated graphics:

Integrated graphics will produce very low performance. A dedicated GPU will produce better results on all scenarios. This is only for listing iGPU support.

• Minimum for Linux: Intel HD 5300 / AMD Radeon R5 Graphics

• Minimum for Windows: Intel HD Graphics 520 / AMD Radeon Vega 3

• Recommended: Intel UHD Graphics 750 / AMD Radeon Vega 7

RAM:

Since an integrated GPU uses system RAM as its video memory (VRAM), our memory requirement in this configuration is higher.

• Minimum with dedicated graphics: 8 GB

• Minimum with integrated graphics: 12 GB

• Recommended: 16 GB

Notes:

• Windows users are recommended to run Windows 10 1803 or newer to get the best performance.

• Our recommended specifications don't guarantee perfect performance in most games, but rather strive to provide a cost effective recommendation while still considering performance.

• Most games are playable on older Nvidia GPUs from the Fermi family (400 series) or later, but at least Pascal (1000 series) is strongly recommended.

• CPUs lacking the FMA instruction set will produce very poor results. Intel Core gen 3 series or older, AMD phenom II or older and all Pentium/Celeron/Atom CPUs will not produce optimal results.

• Mobile CPUs will not reach the same performance as their desktop counterparts due to thermal, power, and technical limitations.

• Old GCN 1.0 and GCN 2.0 Radeon GPUs on Linux require manually forcing the amdgpu kernel module.

• GPUs must support OpenGL 4.6 & OpenGL Compatibility profile, or Vulkan 1.1 (or higher).
  To find out if your GPU meets these requirements, visit https://opengl.gpuinfo.org or https://vulkan.gpuinfo.org/ and check your GPU details.
  

Sample Image:

Guide Introduction

To start playing commercial games, yuzu needs a couple of system files from a HACKABLE Nintendo Switch console in order to play them properly.

This guide will help you copy all your system files, games, updates, and DLC from your switch to your computer and organize them in a format yuzu understands. This process should take about 60 to 90 minutes.

DISCLAIMER:

• This guide is written in mind towards users with early Switch consoles that are vulnerable to the fusée-gelée RCM exploit, as that is the most accessible entryway to load custom firmware and run the tools necessary to obtain the required system files and games.
• While there are alternate methods to jailbreaking patched Switch models, instructions for loading custom firmware in this guide may not apply to such other exploits, but the overall dumping process should be mostly consistent. Join the yuzu Discord server for any further assistance on this case.
• The following Switch models are patched from fusée-gelée and are unable to complete the first couple of steps:
  • Original Switch models manufactured after 2018.
    • Visit Is My Switch Patched? to check if your console is patched.
  • Mariko Switch released in late 2019 a.k.a. Red Box Switch, HAC-001(-01)
  • Nintendo Switch Lite (HDH-001)
  • Nintendo Switch OLED Model (HEG-001)

Prerequisites

• A hackable Nintendo Switch console (preferably a model that is vulnerable to the fusée-gelée exploit).
  • Visit Is My Switch Patched? to check if your console is not patched.
• A microSD card with at least 32 GB of storage capacity. 64 GB or higher is recommended.
• A USB-C to USB-A or USB-C to USB-C cable to connect your Switch to your computer.
• TegraRcmGUI -- Download TegraRcmGUI_v2.6_Installer.msi
• Hekate -- Download hekate_ctcaer_X.X.X_Nyx_X.X.X.zip
  • Windows users: Also download nyx_usb_max_rate__run_only_once_per_windows_pc.reg and run it for faster transfer speeds over USB. For details, see the NOTE section in the release page.
• This hekate configuration file -- hekate_ipl.ini
• Atmosphére -- Download both atmosphere-X.X.X-master-XXXXXXXX+hbl-X.X.X+hbmenu-X.X.X.zip and fusee.bin.
• Lockpick_RCM -- Download Lockpick_RCM.bin
• nxdumptool -- Download nxdumptool.nro
• nxDumpFuse -- Download win-x64.zip
• TegraExplorer -- Download TegraExplorer.bin
• Rufus -- Download rufus-X.XX.exe
• microSD Card Reader -- If your computer has one built-in, you can use that.
• RCM Jig -- We highly recommend one like this, but you could use any of the methods outlined here.

Preparing the microSD Card

We will now format the microSD card to FAT32 and place some files downloaded from the prerequisites section into it.

• NOTE: The exFAT file system is not recommended as that format is prone to file corruption when the microSD card interacts with the Switch. Large capacity microSD cards are usually exFAT-formatted by default.

Step 1: Insert the microSD card into your computer.

• If you have a Nintendo folder in your microSD card, make a backup of it by copying it to your computer, as the formatting process will erase any data stored in the card.

Step 2: Open the Rufus formatting tool and set the following settings:

• Device: Your microSD card drive
• Boot selection: Non-bootable
• File system: FAT32 or Large FAT32
• Cluster size: 64 kilobytes

Step 3: Click on START and wait for the formatting process to finish.

Step 4: Move the previously copied Nintendo folder back into the microSD card.

Step 5: Extract all the contents inside the atmosphere-X.X.X-master-XXXXXXXX+hbl-X.X.X+hbmenu-X.X.X.zip archive into the root of the microSD card.

Step 6: Extract the bootloader folder from inside the hekate_ctcaer_X.X.X_Nyx_X.X.X.zip archive into the root of the microSD card.

• IMPORTANT: Drag and drop the contents, do not create any new folders from the previous zip files.

Step 6: Place the hekate_ipl.ini file into the bootloader folder.

Step 7: Place the fusee.bin, Lockpick_RCM.bin and TegraExplorer.bin files into the payloads folder (located inside the bootloader folder).

Step 8: Create a folder named nxdumptool within the switch folder and place the nxdumptool.nro file inside it.

Step 9: Eject the microSD card from your computer and insert it into the microSD card slot of your Switch.

Your microSD card contents should look like this:

{{< imgs "./sd_root.png|The root of the microSD card" "./atmosphere_dir.png|atmosphere folder" "./hekate_dir.png|Hekate bootloader folder" "./payloads_dir.png|payloads folder" "./switch_dir.png|switch folder"

}}

Booting into RCM

The Switch has a hidden recovery mode (RCM) which allows the execution of unsigned code (only on models vulnerable to the fusée-gelée exploit).

Step 1: Open the TegraRcmGUI installer (TegraRcmGUI_v2.6_Installer.msi), go through the installation wizard, and start the program.

Step 2: In the Settings tab, click on Install Driver and follow the installation instructions.

Step 3: After the drivers have been installed, connect your Switch to your computer using a USB-C cable.

Step 4: Power off your Switch (not putting it to Sleep Mode) while it is still connected to your computer.

Step 5: Insert your RCM jig into the right Joy-con rail, make sure it is seated securely at the base.

Step 6: Hold VOLUME + and press the Power button.

If you see the Nintendo Switch icon turn green with RCM O.K. in the TegraRcmGUI window, your Switch has successfully booted into RCM mode. Else, if your Switch starts to turn on normally (Nintendo logo appears), go back to Step 4 and try again.

Once you have succesfully booted into RCM mode, you can now remove the RCM jig from the console.

Booting into Hekate

Step 1: Extract the hekate_ctcaer_X.X.X.bin file from the hekate_ctcaer_X.X.X_Nyx_X.X.X.zip archive to any directory on your computer.

Step 2: Open TegraRcmGUI. In the Payload tab, click on the folder icon and navigate to the hekate_ctcaer_X.X.X.bin file you extracted earlier.

Step 3: Click on Inject Payload and your Switch will now boot into the Hekate custom bootloader.

• NOTE: If a vertical text-based user interface appears on your Switch's display, it means that you haven't followed the instructions from the Preparing the microSD Card correctly.

Backing up Switch NAND (Optional)

We will now boot Hekate to dump your Switch's NAND. This step is optional, but highly recommended to ensure you have a backup of your Switch's data in its internal storage.

- 7a. Boot your Nintendo Switch into [RCM mode](#booting-into-rcm) (steps 2c. to 2f.) and make sure it is connected to your computer.
- 7b. Boot into [Hekate](#booting-into-hekate) (steps 3b. to 3c.)
- 7c. When it has successfully booted into the Hekate Home menu, tap on the `Tools` tab and select `Backup eMMC`.
- 7d. Underneath the `Full` section, tap on `eMMC BOOT0 & BOOT1`. This may take a few seconds to load. After it is finished filling the progress bar it should say `Finished and verified!`. Beneath `Filepath:` you will see the location of the dump. 
- 7e. Tap on `Close` and select `eMMC RAW GPP`. This should take some time as the Switch's `rawnand.bin` is quite large. If the progress bar appears to go backwards at some points or turn green, do not worry as this is Hekate verifying the data. This should take between 15-45 minutes depending on the quality/speed of your SD card and the default verification setting. Please keep note of the location the output file is placed.
- 7f. Tap on `Close` two times to return to the Tools menu.
- 7g. [Mount the SD card to your computer in Hekate](#mounting-the-microsd-card-to-your-computer-in-hekate) (steps 4b. to 4c.)
- 7h. Navigate to your SD card drive and copy the `backup` folder to your computer.
- 7i. Once you're done copying, [safely eject the SD card drive in your computer and return to the Hekate Home menu.](#mounting-the-microsd-card-to-your-computer-in-hekate) (steps 5a. to 5b.)

Mounting the microSD card to your computer in Hekate

NOTE: These steps will be used in other sections below. Do not follow this section yet if you are booted into Hekate for the first time. Skip to the next section for now.

4. We will now mount the microSD card as a drive from your Switch to your computer in Hekate, via USB.

   • 4a. In the Hekate Home menu, tap on the Tools tab to show the Tools menu.
   • 4b. Tap on USB Tools.
   • 4c. Tap on SD Card. Your SD card should now be mounted as a drive to your computer.

   To unmount the SD card: Safely eject the drive from your computer and tap on Close from your Switch's screen.

5. We will now return to the Hekate Home menu.

   • 5a. Tap on Close again to return to the Tools menu.
   • 5b. Tap on the Home tab to return to the Hekate Home menu.

Dumping the Decryption Keys

We will now dump the decryption keys from your Switch so that yuzu is able to decrypt and open your game files.

Step 1: In the Hekate Home menu, tap on Payloads.

Step 2: Tap on Lockpick_RCM.bin in the list of payloads.

Step 3: In the Lockpick_RCM menu, press the Power button to select Dump from SysNAND.

After Lockpick_RCM has finished processing all the keys, the key files will be stored in sd:/switch/prod.keys and sd:/switch/title.keys.

Step 6: Press any button to return to the menu, then navigate with the VOLUME + / VOLUME - buttons to highlight and select Reboot to hekate using the Power button. You should now be booted back into Hekate.

Dumping System Firmware

Some games such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxe require the use of system files found inside the Switch's System Firmware to be playable. We will now dump the system firmware files from your Switch for use in yuzu.

Step 1: In the Hekate Home menu, tap on Payloads.

Step 2: Tap on TegraExplorer.bin in the list of payloads.

Step 3: In the TegraExplorer menu, navigate through the menu using the VOLUME + / VOLUME - buttons to highlight and select the FirmwareDump.te option using the POWER button.

Step 4: Select the Dump sysmmc option.

Step 5: Once the dumping process is finished, the .nca files are will be stored in sd:/tegraexplorer/Firmware/<firmware version>.

Step 6: Press any button to return to the main menu and select the Reboot to bootloader/update.bin option. You should now be booted back into Hekate.

Dumping Games

This section will cover the dumping process of a game originally from either as a physical or digital copy, alongside any available game update and DLC files into a file format that yuzu supports.

Step 1: In the Hekate Home menu, tap on Launch.

Step 2: Tap on CFW - sysMMC.

• Your Switch will boot into the Atmosphere Custom Firmware (CFW). You should see the Atmosphere logo show up instead of the Nintendo logo at boot. It is normal that the HOME Menu remains the same and you can double check that you are loaded into CFW by navigating into System Settings > About

Step 3: Once your Switch has booted into the HOME Menu, press and hold the R button on your controller and launch a game. This will launch the Homebrew Menu in title override mode.

Step 1 Either use the touchscreen or navigate using your controller, and select nxdumptool.

Dumping Physical Titles (Game Cards)

Step 1 Select the Dump gamecard content option.

Step 1 Select the Cartridge Image (XCI) dump option.

Dumping Digital Titles (eShop)

Step 1 Once the cartridge image has been dumped, press any button to return to the previous menu and then press + to return to the Homebrew Menu.

Dumping Save Files (Optional)

11. We will now dump the games' save files from your switch to use in yuzu.
    • 11a. Download JKSV.nro
    • 11b. Boot your Nintendo Switch into RCM mode (steps 2c. to 2f.) and make sure it is connected to your computer.
    • 11c. Boot into Hekate (steps 3b. to 3c.)
    • 11d. Mount the SD card to your computer in Hekate (steps 4a. to 4c.)
    • 11e. Navigate to your SD card drive and place the JKSV.nro file inside the switch folder.
    • 11f. Once you're done, safely eject the SD card drive in your computer and return to the Hekate Home menu. (steps 5a. to 5b.)
    • 11g. Tap on Payloads. This will show a list of payloads.
    • 11h. Tap on fusee.bin in the list of payloads.
    • 11i. Your Switch will launch into Custom Firmware Mode (CFW), and once your Switch has booted into the home menu, press and hold the R button on your controller and launch a game. This will launch the Homebrew Menu in title override mode.
    • 11j. Either use the touchscreen or navigate using your controller, and choose JKSV.
    • 11k. Move up or down to select a source to dump save data for a single game. (Most save files are stored under the user account of choice. Some save data are located under Device, such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons.)
    • 11l. For dumping all save data at once from selected source: Press X and then select the Dump All for <source name> option.
    • 11m. For dumping save data of a single game: Press A and then select the game of choice, then press A again and select the New option.
    • 11n. JKSV will being up the keyboard to set a name for your save data folder. By default, it generates a name containing the source name (user account, Device, etc.) alongside the date and time of when it was dumped, else you can name it to whatever you want. Once you're done, press + to dismiss the keyboard.
    • 11o. Once you're done dumping, press + to close JKSV.
    • 11p. Select Reboot to Payload and then press - on your controller to return to the Hekate menu.
    • 11q. Mount the SD card to your computer in Hekate (steps 4a. to 4c.)
    • 11r. Navigate to your SD card drive. Your save files will be located in sd:/JKSV/<name of the game>/<folder name from step 11n>/.
    • 11s. Follow the instructions in the How do I add a Save to my Game section of our FAQ.
    • 11t. Once you're done transferring your save files, safely eject the SD card drive in your computer and return to the Hekate Home menu. (steps 5a. to 5b.)

Rebooting the Switch Back to its Original State

12. If you're done following the sections you needed for yuzu, we will now reboot the Switch back to its original state.
    • 12a. From the Hekate Home Menu, tap on Reboot.
    • 12b. Tap on OFW.
    • 12c. Your Switch will now reboot into the original firmware.

Running yuzu

9. We will now run yuzu to verify that your dumped keys and games are being read correctly.
   • 9a. Run either the yuzu or yuzu Early Access shortcuts that were created by the yuzu installer tool.
   • 9b. in yuzu, click on + Add New Game Directory in the browser, and navigate to the folder where you placed your XCI or NSP files.
   • 9c. To install game Updates and/or DLC. In yuzu, click File >> install to NAND and navigate to your dumped Update-DLC files. For more info refer to How do I install game Updates or DLC

If you need any help during this process or get a strange error during or while using yuzu, feel free to ask for help on the yuzu discord! Happy Emulating!