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The Manual v2.0

Post-CFW Companion Guide

Zone 01

Customization & Theming
> Install a Custom Theme > Premade Theme Packs > Build Your Own Theme > Custom Fonts > Custom User Icons > Custom Game Icons > Controller Colors > Tinfoil Themes > Activity Log Theme

Zone 02

Advanced Emulation
> Compatibility Tiers > RetroArch Setup > NSP Forwarder

Zone 03

Essential Homebrew Apps
> NRO Homebrew Apps > SD Root Installs

Zone 04

Library Management
> Method 1: Buy & Play Online > Method 2: DBI Installer > Method 3: CyberFoil + Ownfoil

Zone 05

Community Play & Extras
> Mission Control > LAN & Wireless Play > Fake User Accounts > PC Game Streaming
// MISSION SELECT |
THEMING
Install a Custom Theme Premade Theme Packs Build Your Own Theme Custom Fonts Custom User Icons Custom Game Icons Controller Colors Tinfoil Themes Activity Log Theme
|
EMULATION
Compatibility Tiers RetroArch Setup NSP Forwarder
|
HOMEBREW
NRO Homebrew Apps SD Root Installs
|
LIBRARY
Buy & Play Online DBI Installer CyberFoil + Ownfoil
|
COMMUNITY
Mission Control LAN & Wireless Play Fake User Accounts PC Game Streaming

Prerequisite: Atmosphere CFW

This guide assumes your console is already running custom firmware.

I am unmodded → Install Atmosphere ↗
I am modded → Continue to Step 1 below

Zone 01

Customization & Theming

Make your Switch truly yours. From full theme packs to custom game icons, fonts, and controller colors — this is one of the most creative and rewarding parts of running CFW.

Install a Custom Theme

steps.sh

1. Create a themes folder on the root of your SD card

2. Copy the .nxtheme files to the themes folder

3. Launch Homebrew Menu → NXThemes Installer

4. Select and install each theme one by one

5. Reboot your Switch

Finding Premade Theme Packs

Make a Custom Theme Pack

theme-builder.sh

1. Download Switch Theme Injector (Releasex.x.x.zip)

2. Open SwitchThemes.exe → NXTheme Builder

3. Select a Home menu part, a 1280x720 image, and a Layout patch → Build

4. Fill out Author name and Theme name

5. Repeat for every Home Menu part you want to modify

Install a Custom Font

font-install.sh

1. Copy your .ttf file to the themes folder on SD

2. Launch Homebrew Menu → NXThemes Installer

3. Select and install your font

4. Reboot your Switch

Install a Custom User Icon / Avatar

  1. Create a 256×256 JPEG using any image editor
  2. Copy the .jpeg to your SD card (tip: create an icons folder inside themes)
  3. Launch Homebrew Menu → Godleaf
  4. Locate your image and select “Replace user icon”

Install Custom Game Icons

Best used in conjunction with a vertical or horizontal theme pack.

  1. Download sys-tweak and follow setup instructions
  2. Confirm sys-tweak is active via Tesla → Sysmodules
  3. Download nx-titles-list-dumper.nro → copy to /switch
  4. Launch dumper → press [A] to dump title IDs to CSV
  5. Copy titles.csv to PC
  6. Download NX-Game-Icon-Customizer, scan, select your style
  7. Use “Auto GIC” or add individually → transfer via FTPD

Change Joy-Con / Controller Colors

  1. Dock your Joy-Cons, open AIO Switch Updater in the Homebrew Menu
  2. Select Tools → Change the Joy-Cons color (or Pro controller color)
  3. For custom colors, use this color picker and copy JSON to /config/aio-switch-updater/

Install a Custom Tinfoil Theme

  1. Find a theme on GBAtemp or make your own
  2. Copy the theme folder to /switch/tinfoil/themes
  3. Open Tinfoil → Options → select your theme

Make a Custom Tinfoil Theme

  1. Create a new folder in /switch/tinfoil/themes
  2. Create a 1280×720 background image (PNG/JPEG) → copy to folder
  3. Create a 165×52 logo image → copy to folder
  4. Find an MP3, reduce to 128kbps using mp3smaller → copy to folder
  5. Edit settings.json — set colors with color-hex, update file paths
  6. Save and copy to your theme folder

Custom NX-Activity-Log Theme

If you replaced your user page with NX-Activity-Log, create a separate theme:

  1. Save a 1280×720 PNG as background.png
  2. Copy to /config/NX-Activity-Log/background.png
  3. Open user page → Settings → Theme → Custom
  4. Customize RGBA values and apply with [X]

// Entering Zone 02

Zone 02

Advanced Emulation

The Switch is great at emulating some consoles and not so great at others. Here’s the breakdown:

GREAT

N64, GBA, and all earlier Nintendo systems

RetroArch handles nearly all emulation. Use Nintendo Switch Online for N64 games (available via Tinfoil shops).

OK

DS, 3DS, PSP, PS1, Dreamcast

Not optimal. Many games work OK with overclocking to 1785 MHz. Use Citra core for 3DS, PPSSPP for PSP.

HIT/MISS

GameCube, Wii (via Android OS)

Requires Switchroot. Better alternatives: Steam Deck, Raspberry Pi, or PC.

RetroArch Setup

RetroArch is a frontend for many emulators. It includes built-in overclocking.

retroarch-setup.sh

1. Download ROMs — recommended: romsgames.net (ad blocker recommended)

2. Create /ROMS/ folder on SD root, with subfolders per console

3. Transfer downloaded games into their console folders

4. Open hbmenu → RetroArch

5. Main Menu → Load Core → Download a Core for each console

6. Main Menu → Load Content → Start Directory → ROMS folder

7. Select your game and start playing!

Docs: retroarch.com

NSP Forwarder (Launch ROMs from Home)

Skip the 17-click RetroArch navigation. Create home screen shortcuts that launch games directly.

nsp-forwarder.sh

1. Download the NSP Forwarder GUI

2. Unzip and open the menu executable on PC

3. Fill out: App Name, Author, Title ID (random), Icon (256×256), Core Path, ROM Path

4. Click “Create Forwarder” → NSP files appear in output

5. Transfer NSP files to SD card

6. hbmenu → Goldleaf → Explore → SD → install each NSP

7. Games now appear on your Switch Home!

Zone 03

Essential Homebrew Apps

Install these homebrew applications to unlock your Switch’s full potential.

Transfer .nro files into /switch:

Unzip and transfer to SD root:

// Entering Zone 04

Zone 04

Game Library

Three methods to install and manage your library.

Method 1: Buy from Nintendo & Play Online

Boot via sysNAND (Hekate → Launch → sysNAND) to play online with purchased games.

Do NOT break Nintendo’s ToS while in sysNAND or you will be banned from the eShop and online play.

Regional eShops: Save money by buying from cheaper regions at eShop-Prices.com.

Method 2: DBI Installer USB System

Plug your Switch into your PC via USB and drag-and-drop game files directly. The fastest and simplest install method — no drivers, no setup, works on Windows/Mac/Linux.

Download: Latest English-patched DBI.nro (GitHub Releases).

dbi-setup.sh

1. Place DBI.nro in SD:/switch/DBI/

2. Boot CFW, launch DBI

3. Select MTP Responder → Run

4. Connect USB-C data cable to PC

mtp-tree.txt

On PC, open "Switch" drive:

Switch/

├── 1: Nintendo Contents

├── 2: Save Data

├── 3: System

└── 5: MicroSD Install ← Drag NSP/NSZ/XCI/XCZ here

  • •Usage: Drag files to 5: MicroSD Install — installs automatically.
  • •Mods/Cheats: Drag to MTP “Mods & Cheats” folder.

Method 3: CyberFoil + Ownfoil Shop System

A two-part system that replaces the old Tinfoil shops. CyberFoil runs on your Switch as a file browser and shop client. Ownfoil runs on your PC as a private shop server. Together they let you browse and install games over your local network like an eShop.

CyberFoil (Switch App)

Download: Latest CyberFoil (.nro) (GitHub Releases).

cyberfoil-setup.sh

1. Place files in SD:/switch/

2. Launch CyberFoil

3. File Installs: Browse SD/USB/LAN → Select file → Install

4. USB MTP: Use built-in like DBI

Ownfoil (PC Server)

Download: Latest Release (GitHub Releases).

Docker Setup (Windows/Mac/Linux)

  1. Install Docker.
  2. Run:
ownfoil-deploy.sh

docker run -d \

-p 8465:8465 \

-v /path/to/games:/games \

-v ./config:/app/config \

--name ownfoil \

a1ex4/ownfoil

  • •/path/to/games: Folder with NSP/NSZ/XCI/XCZ (subfolders: Base / DLC / Updates).
  • •Open http://localhost:8465 → Add/scan library → Upload prod.keys for titles.

Add to CyberFoil

connect.sh

1. Settings → Shop URL: http://YOUR_PC_IP:8465

2. Browse/install like eShop

Tip: PC IP: Run ipconfig (Win) or ifconfig (Mac/Linux).

ROM Websites & Torrents

ROM sites are filled with ads and viruses. Ad blocker required. Torrenting without a paid VPN risks ISP copyright warnings. Use qBittorrent if you must.

// Entering Zone 05

Zone 05

Community Play & Extras

Mission Control

Use other consoles’ controllers via Bluetooth. Toggle in Tesla → Sysmodules.

  1. See compatible controllers
  2. Home → Controllers → Change Grip/Order
  3. Put controller in pairing mode and wait for it to connect

LAN & Wireless Play

  • •Some games have hidden LAN mode for same-network play. Many have Wireless mode for direct Switch-to-Switch.
  • •Cross-network: switch-lan-play + ldn_mitm

Link a Fake User Account

Some games/apps need a linked account to launch.

  1. (Quick) Tinfoil → Options → Fake Link Nintendo Online Account
  2. (Full) See the Switchbrew Wiki

Stream PC Games to Your Switch

Expect some latency. Quality depends on your network.

skynx-setup.sh

1. Download SkyNX.zip + SkyNXStreamer from GitHub

2. Copy switch folder from SkyNX.zip to SD root

3. Optional: install NSP via Goldleaf for home screen shortcut

4. Extract SkyNXStreamer on PC → open SkyNXStreamer.exe

5. Launch SkyNX on Switch → enter IP into PC streamer

6. Adjust settings → Start Streamer

// End of Manual