Hackers Turn The Nintendo Switch Into A Functioning Linux Tablet

We don't need Pewdiepie memes on NintendoLife, thank you.

@BezBot What did he do with Linux that it became a "meme" about him?

Oh, gosh...
Please ignore all those temptation to hack your Nintendo Switch.
Keep going on Original gaming guys.

Ya know anyone can run a video on the Web browser.

Whoo, another article about Switch hacking. Just let us talk about it in the forums already. :/

Before people start jumping on anyone hacking the system and saying it's piracy, just remember this:

CD Projekt Red has existed fine off of putting each one of their Witcher games completely DRM free on their site, and GOG has done great with DRM free versions of a ton of games. Those who are going to do anything with piracy are going to do it regardless. Piracy isn't an alternative to sales, people who pirate simply go onto the next thing, being 'forced' to buy doesn't mean they do. CD Projekt Red proves it doesn't matter in the slightest to release a game with zero protection, so please don't use that flawed argument.

Also, the Linux kernel is open source and available to anyone. I wouldn't say the Switch would be equal to a laptop or anything else, but it's cool to see some applications of Linux applied to the hardware. I think the biggest gaming application would be if someone could get Nvidia Shield Tegra/Android based games running on it. I think for the current games, unlocking to overclock the GPU/CPU for better performance would be interesting.

I hacked my Wii back in 2007. Good times. Wouldn't risk it with the Switch, though.

@Anti-Matter If I can backup saves and restore them anytime, I would gladly hack my Switch.

I recently hacked my Wii to make a backup of my GCN and Wii games and saves. I hope Nintendo adds a feature to backup our saves before the hackers do.

@TheOpponent The "but can your Switch do this?" bit.

Well...my Wii U is modded and can play all the GC games i own. Technically the Wii U can play GC games just fine, it just reads them off of my SD card.

Modding the Switch? Can’t see any reason to right now, I did the above out if convenience for my setup more than anything.

@Devlind
"If I can backup saves and restore them anytime, I would gladly hack my Switch."

I REFUSE to do such an illegal way like that.
I keep All my game machines CLEAN and FREE from All Hacking or Illegal Softwares / Hardwares.
I still keep my Promise to NOT involved in illegal way of gaming.

For everyone who is angered by this, you’re not forced to mod your Switch. This won’t affect you if you don’t pay attention to it.

@CptFalcon
But, for us as Gamers, if we are Really supporting Nintendo Switch, we will NEVER Consider hacking is a good thing to do.
Buy Original games and Update the machine are Easy things to do, why do we must hacking for illegal purposes ?
We must control our desire and temptation to avoid those illegal activities.
Btw, i still call that hacking is a Piracy no matter what.

Hacked my Wii. Hacked my Wii U. Hacked my 3DS. And I will certainly hack my Switch... one day.

But I still buy all my games. Even just today I bought Radiant Historia. And as soon as I got home I took out the cartridge and ran into my system to own digitally. I love having a complete digital collection on a portable system. And yet I still get to retain my box to copy for the collection and I don't have to buy the game two times to accomplish this.

Unfortunately that requires self discipline and control and a lot of people don't have that. I do understand that a lot of people would simply buy the game and run it in and then sell the game afterwards, or just download it without buying it in the first place.

But... dems da breaks. That's why it's usually better if homebrew comes later in a console's lifespan, after it's a booming success.

When you buy a car you are allowed to modify it to your heart's content, with the only rules being that it meets road safety requirements. I see no reason it should be different with electronics. The only issue I have with this is potential pirating of current games that can still be purchased or of people potentially cheating in online games. So long as those two things are avoided, I see no issues.

@CptFalcon
Portal 2 runs on Nvidia Shield, no? If someone can get that game running on the Switch... I'll die happy.

@Heavyarms55
Difference is, modifying your car doesn't let you leech gasoline for free the rest of your life if you so desire.

That's not to say I'm arguing against hacking because I'm totally for it, always have been. But let's be truthful here. It's a completely different situation than modifying pretty much anything else, because it runs on a closed operating system which protects purchasable software. A car does not do that

@JaxonH
"a lot of people would simply buy the game and run it in and then sell the game afterwards, "

I caught a Betrayal instead of Loyalty.
I feel sorry to peoples like that.
Bought games just for a while...

@Anti-Matter Remarkable.

@Anti-Matter Hacking isn't illegal, and hacking isn't piracy. In fact, even if you do not care about running Linux or any potential hardware tweaks or games that could be played with doing it, hacking shows companies the insecure portions of their OS or hardware so it can be fixed in the future. How do you think security vulnerabilities are fixed in operating systems?

The bottom line is when exploits are found, it results it a more secure system, or possible improvements through the hardware through revisions in the future.

Hacking ≠ piracy.
Get it right , darn it.

@CptFalcon
But i still consider hacking especially the System and or Software are Piracy / Illegal activities.
I Don't even want to hack my Original video game machines for illegal activities.
I just Don't Want, NO !

Btw, i owned a Japanese PS2 Slim last year and to tell you, my PS2 Slim was modded with Modchip before i asked to the seller to REMOVED Completely the Modchip inside the PS2 Slim that i want to buy because the seller had explained the PS2 that i want to buy was Original machines but only added with Moschip, Not a Recondition PS2 (Fake PS2). So, after i had learned to differ between Original and Recondition machine, i investigated the machine first. I checked from BIOS number series, tested the machine with Pirated copies when the machine was still had a Modchip & after the Modchip has been Removed completely (I kept the Removed Modchip as my Physical evidence, so i will not get fooled again), tested the UNMODDED PS2 with Original Japanese PS2 & PS1 games from my friend, asked to Video games Repairman to open the PS2 & investigated the internal components to make sure there was NOT founded a Recondition parts. And.... it was PERFECT ! My PS2 Slim is Back to Original, Free from any hacked stuffs.
Maybe, i was ONE from BILLIONS peoples in the world who asked Straightly to the seller to Remove the Modchip inside PS2.

I read a story over the weekend, about another emulator running on Switch. I wasn't sure if I should post it but seeing as the site is talking about hacking, I don't see why not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCELKRvZ7N0

@CptFalcon If you're talking about Ubisoft and their DRM policies, they're an absolute joke. Even AC Origins got cracked after less than two months. And the loyal customers end up dealing with their ridiculous always-online DRM policies.

Slow news day huh? more like slow news month. there has been NOTHING recently.

@CptFalcon dude you're on NintendoLife. Half the people here don't even know what a CD Projekt Red is, let alone the Witcher series.

Is it OK if I'm not impressed that they got a Nintendo branded Nvidia Shield to run Linux?

Is it a tablet now @NEStalgia 😜

It's just boring...

At this point, if Nintendo doesn't add a browser to the Switch I might just consider installing Linux!

Nintendo had always used custom chips for their consoles, Switch is the first to use an off the shelf chip. This makes it easier for developers to make games but also easier for hackers too. The Pro is always the Con.

@Paddle1 Don't worry, people are working on Windows 95 installation for SWITCH, You can soon use IE 3.0...hurrah!

@Nincompoop

This is why custom AMD components were better.

@Anti-Matter

You've got a personal vendetta against hacks. What did they ever do to you?

"..but it would seem that by pairing itself with tech giant Nvidia - whose Tegra silicon powers the console - the Japanese giant is going have to accept that things aren't as nailed-down as they used to be."

Why is this relevant? Can somebody enlighten me?

How is teaming up with Nvidia any different from previous generations, where Nintendo teamed up with IBM, who made the CPU, and AMD who made the GPU?

How was previous hardware more "nailed-down" as it is on the Switch? I can't find any logic in this? Weren't previous consoles as easy to hack?

@10-zx
What ?
I changed my habit from playing with pirated copies to Original games because it was from my WILL.
I realized i did wrong in the past.
So, i start Clean Slate, back to Zero again, start to collect Original games and Unmodded machines.
Vendetta ??
What were you talking about ??

STOP PROMOTING WHAT HACKERS CAN DO.

I think Nintendo need to run with this. Allow people to have a separate SD card that can be a Linux system. You just need to swap the SD card when switching between Linux and Switch OS.

They could then market the Switch as a Dock-able tablet to replace a low end PC. The same way that Sony originally allowed Linux on the PS3.

Why am I suddenly thinking of The Genie from Aladdin?

@GauBan Wow, that's an ambitious idea but still great nonetheless, Switch is really an innovative device and I think the interest will just grow, I am sure we will see more of this types of hack and possibly Sony or Microsoft might copy something off Nintendo for their next consoles.

Another thing to remember is that at least 80% of the such owners will have no desire or knowledge on how to do this! Hell other hacks that come out with YouTube vids saying look how easy it is are a pain in the backside to do lol
It always impresses me guys n gals who hack their own stuff and hackers who always find a way as I would not able to do it successfully. It always comes with risk so if anyone wants to do this that’s their prerogative, the only thing I find funny about when people talk about hacking openly is they always say “but but but we buy our games”🤣
I don’t doubt that some do as they like having physical copies or genuinely want to support the dev BUT most absolutely will download free games! No one has the balls to be honest these days, I don’t hack but il tell you this, if I knew hacking well and I could download a game for free to have more money for other things..I’m downloading for free no questions asked.
All in all it is always interesting reading about it lol

Damn good SID style chiptune.

@Anti-Matter It's doesn't matter what you consider illegal or not. I'm not sure your jurisdiction, but doing whatever you want with your system is legal in most countries. It sounds like English is maybe not your first language, so the word you're thinking is probably 'unethical', because that is a more subjective word.

I don't consider it either, but maybe you should look into DRM-free information and how attempts to lock up hardware or software via various methods are pretty meaningless in the grand scheme of things.

Woo, go hackers! Maybe you'll be able to add such magic as Bluetooth headset support to the Switch.

Cya
Raziel-chan

@CptFalcon
Oh.
Please do understand with my Language Barrier due to my mothertongue is Indonesian language.
My knowledge about very complex vocabularies are still not compared with Real Native speaker.
My comments are mostly filled with Grade 4 vocabullaries with very limited words to be spoken.

@Razzy
Tsk, tsk, tsk....

Nice!
I wish this was a standard feature.
Since Nintendo has crippled the Switch so much, the only way to use it properly as a tablet is via hacks, unfortunately.
This wouldn't be necessary though if Nintendo would just fully utilize the potential of the device.

Can the Switch still be docked though? Cause it's not very interesting to transform your Switch in a Linux Tablet (other than for the challenge of hacking the system) unless it can easily dock and undock, going from a lightweight Linux computer when docked, fully compatible with mouse and keyboard, to a portable Linux tablet on the go fully controllable via the touch screen.

Other than for that reason, I don't see why anyone would want to utilize the Switch of all devices for that kind of purpose.

This is mostly to show off skills by the hacker itself, have you see the piracy scene, is all egos and whatnot, for example, who by passes denuvo update first, etc...

I can see this dude getting extra points when applying to a developer position because of this.

And no, hackers are not a problem for the Switch, piracy will not be a problem for the Switch... if anything this whole "hacking stuff" could entice more of that niche world to get into Switch.

Good publicity IMO

As usual, do whatever you want with your console. As long as you keep hacking far away from online functionality.

@rjejr Running Linux, sure, it's a tablet....it can do tablet things and productivity things. I mean it can't get worse than iOS.....

@NEStalgia

In terms of a tablet, or mobile phone really, iOS is not that bad. Despite my preference for Linux, which is what Android was built on, iOS was just put together better. Now, how you see that 'better' is subjective, but it was launched off a stable, proven foundation, and has evolved ever since.

On the same token, I have almost no experience with Android, so I'm probably not one to make this claim, but it's from my point of view anyway.

Now, if you want to talk about ways it can't get worse, at least you aren't using OS X 10.10+. NOTHING can get worse from that garbage. Aside from maybe Windows 10.

@Anti-Matter

See, there's your problem. If you never used pirated games in the first place, you wouldn't feel so polarizing about literally ALL hacks.

Pirating games =/= Hacking

Although they're two semi-related worlds, they're still two entirely separate, unrelated worlds.

Wait a second, I just made a paradox.

Damn.

@10-zx LOL on the desktop OS's....it's so sadly true

iOS's multitasking is purely awful...it wasn't designed to multitask and then was retrofitted in. Android on the other hand was designed around multitasking at a time when the hardware couldn't really accommodate it, so Android had to grow into upcoming hardware, while iOS kind of grew out of it. But most of iOS's problems aren't functional, but are borne from Apple needlessly restricting it in such weird ways to enforce using it with their own ecosystem and making using it out of their ecosystem needlessly difficult. I actually got into the mobile world on iOS because it was by far most popular at the time, and by the time I got done with half-baked shoehorned solutions for what I saw as basic things to get around their intentional arbitrary limitations, discovered Android did all that automatically without any workarounds (such as interfacing with Windows systems, or local media libraries, etc. etc.) I hate intentional limitations to corral me to use it a certain way, which is, of course, Apple's specialty

Nintendo's as well but since they're building appliances, not computing devices, I can't hold it against them. (I miss when PS3 launched and actually had a menu option for dual-boot Linux )

I still don't know why people get the Linux hacking confused with custom firmware and homebrew. Linux is not going to affect game sales, it just looks like a way for us to get the web browser on the switch and maybe some emulators.

I am happy this hack is making progress but have no need for custom firmware, homebrew hacks.

The whole thing is a gray area and I agree piracy sucks.

And yet it's hacks that got us to get glimpses of fascinating things leftover in video games. It's the likes of hackers that led to Hidden Palace Zone finally appearing in an official release of Sonic 2.

Hacking itself is not a bad thing and equating it to piracy is foolhardy.

Not to mention most people aren't going to actually do it because they are either ignorant or lack the technical know-how to actually run it.

FYI it looks like MAME is running on the Switch now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDVYXiOyRFM

@Anti-Matter Tsk, tsk, tsk yourself, buddy, there's no excuse why I should be able to use all my Bluetooth headsets on my friggin' psp go, but not on switch. Plus, my console, so I do with it whatever I want.

Cya
Raziel-chan

@NEStalgia "it can do tablet things and productivity things"

Yeah I'm still nto sure what this hack is for to be honest. I get th eimpression this isn't booting inside the Switch OS. Now if I'm wrong, and they make an icon inside Switch that lets me run Linux so I can run a web browser, calculater, date book adn such, than just exit it like it's a DOS window on Windows, then ok, yeah, that's helpful. But that's nto the impression I'm getting. To me this seems as useful as getting a Switch, replacing the insides w/ some random tablet innards, and calling it hacked.

Again. I could be wrong, but that's how I see it until it's working hand in hand with the Switch OS. I'd like the Switch to have some tablet functionality honestly, at least a calendar, web browser, calculator, maybe FB and Twitter. Make it useful. Email reader or some messaging app like Discord, or whatever the kids are using these days, would be nice as well. Instagram is also safe, they're very not NSFW. No dating apps though, even I have to draw the line somewhere.

@NEStalgia

Very true on Apple's mentality of a walled garden. Very annoying when you treat your mobile device as an extension of your computer (when you aren't running a Mac ). Otherwise, I think the device itself operating as a sole entity is pretty reasonable too.

I'm gonna have to take a good long look at Android when it stops being infested with Google spyware and bloatware, and stops having anything to do with Google, really. Might be interesting to me.

@10-zx Haha, yeah, I'm completely with you on Google.....most people seem to LOVE google and think they're such a wonderful company for some inexplicable reason. Goebbels and Stalin could never have IMAGINED a scheme as grand as Google. Other than maybe Facebook I can't think of a more evil and dangerous entity in the western world. And yet, I end up having to use them though I try to restrict and control how I use them as much as possible which at least limits the damage. Android.....I love how people clambor for Pixil phones for pure Google experiences....like...why do you want MORE of it? I don't use Chrome, or most of Google's apps (youtube I do use of course, the phone dialer on Samsung phones is their own, not Googles, I unfortunately switched to G's keyboard recently after some of the classic good ones got really bad (and Swiftkey is just Microsoft now....) and turned off (I hope?) all the home phoning from it. A keyboard is REALLY dangerous to use from a spyware company. They let you turn it off from communicating....I still don't trust it.

All that said you CAN on an unlocked phone run pure Android....it's still maintained as an open source distro stripped of course of the Google Play store and most Google apps along with other things, but it's doable....takes some hacker-ish work though.

TBH I trust Apple slightly more than Google, but not by much. Google and Facebook are the devil himself, but Microsoft, Apple, et al are senior demon generals all the same.

@NEStalgia

Oh absolutely. Google and Facebook are all for forced diversity, censorship, and far-left ideals. It's like their obsession.

Yup, me too. Nothing more dangerous AND influential, which sucks. I've got a nickname for Facebook's CEO. I call him Shark F*ckerzerg. Guy literally wants to control the masses' brains and he also called Facebook's entire userbase "dumb$#!ts". Because he knows what Facebook is. He (and you and I) know how dumb people must be to live on Facebook, which is in massive cahoots with the FBI, who is too busy crying about Russian hackers to do anything useful.

Really? How bad is Microsoft with their keyboards?

Good to know. I'll keep that in mind about Android, because even my Nook HD came littered with Google garbage. Infuriating.

Apple and Microsoft are senior demon generals? Whatever for? I can kind of understand Microsoft, but why on Earth is Apple a senior demon general? Out of all tech companies, I trust them the most. Assuming we're talking company values and focus and not just product management...

Here, check out this thread over at another website a very smart person indeed made, but then proceeded to get his rear-end reamed simply because he was onto the big two. Yes, YouTube is owned by Google, but I digress.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/the-fall-of-facebook-and-youtube.2095628/