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

If you want to use custom software (most commonly emulators) or allow your Switch to run older Nintendo titles, the only choice would be to mod your device. This process isn’t a simple task, though. Not all Switch consoles can be modded, and even for those that can, doing so comes with risks that you should understand.

This article helps you determine if you can mod your Nintendo Switch and discusses if you should. Let’s get started.

Nintendo’s Take on Mods and Copyright Content

Nintendo is strict about what its users can do on its consoles and games. Modding your Switch device will void any warranty and make Nintendo refuse to service it without any charges. You may also get banned from online use when using the console. You may even receive a lawsuit.

How to Check if Your Nintendo Switch is Moddable (1)

Nintendo has a history of being more persistent about copyright infringement and intellectual property than anyone else in the gaming industry. No matter how old the game is, they go after everyone who unlawfully distributes or offers hacked consoles, plus games through mods, hacks, or ROMS. They’ve also sued people for selling old modded consoles. This statement isn’t biased; it’s just the truth.

Example References:

Nintendo of America vs. LoveRoms.com (Free Roms via download site)

Nintendo of America vs. MIKEL EUSKALDUNAK and DOES 1-100 (Modded console selling via OfferUp)

Nintendo of America vs. Gary Bowser (Trafficking of unauthorized hacking OS and circumvention device)

There is also a slight chance that any modifications to the Switch OS will brick your device. Nintendo refuses to service any Switch that has been modded or shows any attempts of such action, which means that your only solution is to buy a new console.

Be sure to think it over before deciding to mod your Nintendo Switch because, more often than not, there’s no going back. If you think that the risks are worth taking, then read on.

Can My Nintendo Switch Be Modded?

Not all Nintendo Switch consoles can be modded. The mod, or hack, depends on a specific vulnerability to a piece of software called Fusée Gelée. When the vulnerability was discovered, someone disclosed it to Nintendo, who fixed it for later console releases. If you own an unpatched device, it can be modded. Otherwise, there’s no way to mod your console.

There are several ways to check if your device has been patched or not. The simplest method involves comparing the serial number listings of patched and unpatched Nintendo Switch consoles.

How to Check if Your Nintendo Switch is Moddable

  1. Find your device’s Serial Number on the underside of your device. It’s the number on the sticker with the bar code.
  2. If the sticker isn’t there, you can check it on your Switch by going to System -> Serial Information.
  3. For Serial Numbers beginning in XAW1:
    Serials between XAW10000000000 and XAW10074000000 are unpatched and moddable.
    Serials between XAW10074000000 and XAW10120000000 are potentially patched.
    Serials from XAW10120000000 and up are patched and not moddable.
  4. For Serial Numbers beginning in XAW4:
    Serials between XAW40000000000 and XAW40011000000 are unpatched and moddable.
    Serials between XAW40011000000 and XAW40012000000 are potentially patched.
    Serials from XAW40012000000 and up are patched and can’t be modded.
  5. For Serial Numbers beginning in XAW7:
    Serials between XAW70000000000 and XAW70017800000 are unpatched and moddable.
    Serials between XAW70017800000 and XAW70030000000 are potentially patched.
    Serials from XAW70030000000 and up are patched and can’t be modded.
  6. For Serial Numbers beginning in XAJ1:
    Serials between XAJ10000000000 and XAJ10020000000 are unpatched and moddable.
    Serials between XAJ10020000000 and XAJ10030000000 are potentially patched.
    Serials from XAJ10030000000 and up are patched and can’t be modded.
  7. For Serial Numbers beginning in XAJ4:
    Serials between XAJ40000000000 and XAJ40046000000 are unpatched and moddable.
    Serials between XAJ40046000000 and XAJ40060000000 are potentially patched.
    Serials from XAJ40060000000 and up are patched and can’t be modded.
  8. For Serial Numbers beginning in XAJ7:
    Serials between XAJ70000000000 and XAJ70040000000 are unpatched and moddable.
    Serials between XAJ70040000000 and XAJ70050000000 are potentially patched.
    Serials from XAJ70050000000 and up are patched and can’t be modded.
  9. For serials beginning in XKW1, XKJ1, XJW1, and XWW1:
    All consoles released with these numbers are patched and can’t be modded.

Patched devices mean that it’s highly likely that modding will not work on the console. There’s a slight chance you can mod it, but the patch usually closes the vulnerability.

If you don’t like looking at lists or are at a second-hand store and want to check if the console on the shelf is moddable, you can use this SSNC serial number checker tool or try the “ismyswitchpatched.com” serial number checker.

How to Mod a Qualifying Nintendo Switch

How to Check if Your Nintendo Switch is Moddable (3)

Depending on your firmware, there are several methods to mod an unpatched Nintendo Switch. You can find the firmware version of your device by going to the System Settings, tapping on System, and then scrolling down to see the Update Version.

All firmware versions of unpatched Switch consoles can be modded using the Recovery Mode or RCM method. In addition, consoles with firmware version 1.0.0 can be modded using Nereba, and versions 2.0.0 to 4.1.0 are patchable with another software called Caffeine.

Search on Google for Switch mod RCM, Nereba, or Caffeine to see the step-by-step method to perform the mod. Regardless of the process, you’ll want to read the directions carefully and perhaps multiple times before proceeding with the mod on your Switch.

Even if you have a patched Switch, future versions of these modding tools may crack the patch, and if you want to wait, do not update your version beyond 7.0.1. All updates after this will prevent any tampering with the console’s code.

In closing, modding can open your Switch to various games and applications previously unavailable on your device. Like jailbreaking or rooting mobile devices, modding allows your Switch to perform things never intended to do. It’s a weighty decision that comes with both pros and cons. While Android is open source and legal to mod in most cases, Nintendo Switch is not. Therefore, mod at your own risk.

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

FAQs

How do I know if I can mod my Switch? ›

You'll find the serial number at the bottom of your console, just below the USB-C port. It starts with “XAW” or “XKW” followed by several other numbers. If your Nintendo Switch has a serial number within any of these ranges, there's a higher chance that it is moddable.

Are Nintendo switches Moddable? ›

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.

What version of Nintendo Switch is hackable? ›

Multiple revisions of the Switch have been released - out of them, only the original "Erista" models made before July 2018 are currently hackable. Other patched Erista models may use the software method "Caffeine" if they run on versions 4.0.

Is my Switch patched or unpatched? ›

If the sticker is unreadable, you can find the number in your Switch's system settings under “Serial Numbers” in the “System” submenu. All serial numbers that begin with XJW1, XKJ1, XKW1 or XWW1 have the patch. All other serial number ranges depend on the numbers after the prefix.

Are Switch mods illegal? ›

Are they illegal? It is illegal to import, market, sell or distribute circumvention devices (such as game copiers, USB piracy sticks and mod chips). Nintendo has obtained many decisions from criminal and civil courts across the world that confirms this.

Is it safe to buy a modded Switch? ›

But modding a Switch voids its warranty, and modified consoles are banned from all online services. Even with the resources available on the web, modding a Switch is far from a simple process, with a good chance the console could be “bricked” and rendered permanently unusable.

Is Nintendo against modding? ›

According to TorrentFreak, which had copies of both complaints filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, Nintendo is suing Modded Hardware and its owner, Ryan “Homebrew Homie” Daly, for selling Mod Chips, modded Switch consoles, and a memory card that lets people play pirated games.

What is an unpatched Switch? ›

An 'unpatched' Nintendo Switch is a version of the console that hasn't received specific software updates from Nintendo which patch certain vulnerabilities. It's like having a secret door in your Switch that hasn't been closed yet.

Will Nintendo repair modded Switch? ›

Nintendo will not repair any product found to be counterfeit or altered (e.g. software modification, hardware modification, tampered with, etc.). Any system identified as such will be returned as-is.

Will I get banned if I hack Switch? ›

Nintendo will ban your online account and/or console if you breach the user agreements with activities such as fraudulent transactions, jailbreaking your Switch, downloading mods to your Switch, hacking, and more.

Can any V1 Switch be hacked? ›

Not all Nintendo Switches can be hacked. Check the serial number on your Nintendo Switch to see if has been patched. If it has, it can't be hacked. When modifying your Nintendo Switch, there is a possibility that you could brick your system and render it unusable.

How to check firmware on Switch? ›

From the HOME Menu, select System Settings. Scroll down the menu on the left-hand side and select System. The current system menu version is displayed under System Update.

Are all unpatched switches hackable? ›

Although it is technically possible to hack any Switch on the market currently, doing so on the original, unpatched V1 models is vastly easier (and quite cheaper) than the other models.

Which switches are not patched? ›

Switch Serial List
Serial NumbersUnpatchedPatched
XAW1XAW10000000000 to XAW10074000000XAW10120000000 and up
XAW4XAW40000000000 to XAW40011000000XAW40012000000 and up
XAW7XAW70000000000 to XAW70017800000XAW70030000000 and up
XAJ1XAJ10000000000 to XAJ10020000000XAJ10030000000 and up
6 more rows

Can I mod my Switch without getting banned? ›

The following actions will not result in an immediate ban, but will still result in a ban: Modding online games. Cheating in online games. Clearing error logs after they've been uploaded to Nintendo (this may extend to using both emuMMC and sysMMC online, due to mismatched logs)

How can I tell what version Switch I have? ›

From the HOME Menu, select System Settings. Scroll down the menu on the left-hand side and select System. The current system menu version is displayed under System Update.

Can mods brick your Switch? ›

This statement isn't biased; it's just the truth. There is also a slight chance that any modifications to the Switch OS will brick your device. Nintendo refuses to service any Switch that has been modded or shows any attempts of such action, which means that your only solution is to buy a new console.

References

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