Nintendo’s newest gaming console has become a smash-hit worldwide, selling a massive number of units and gaining the attention of consumers and developers alike, but a select group of individuals have taken the Switch hardware a step further, allowing for the usage of a fully-functional Android system.

This is not the first time such an achievement has been done, but we are now in a relatively safer process to do so. Previous successful installations of Android meant flashing the native hardware, which also meant not being able to go back to the Switch as we know it. Now, the process only involves a microSD card, leaving the Switch hardware untouched, and the flexibility to move between both systems with ease.

Compatible Systems

As is often the case, one would need an older console from either 2017 or 2018 to run Android. Anything newer will not work, because the process uses a flaw in the older console’s Nvidia Tegra X1 ARM processor, which has since been fixed in newer consoles.

You will also need a microSD card from which to use Android. This method is safer than previous attempts since the Nintendo side of things remains off-limits.

Why Run Android On The Switch?

Reasons for running Android on the Switch are often subjective. Early adopters may do so simply because they can, always looking to see the limits of their hardware and what can be done outside of conventional thinking.

There is no doubt that there are advantages to having full access to the broad range of Android applications and features. Netflix comes to mind as one app that Nintendo fans have sorely missed since the launch of the new console, since it was available for both the Wii and the Wii U. For now, Nintendo and Netflix seem to be uninterested in pursuing an app for the Switch, so having an Android operating system would be a way to still enjoy all your favorite shows.

Via: stuff.tv

Past that, there are several mobile games not available on the Switch that are on Android, and now one would have access to that. Obviously, games that require GPS, camera, and other features that are available on a smartphone but not the Switch console are not likely to work.

However, a fully-functional web browser and virtually all other apps work fine.

Best Android Games And Apps For The Switch

As stated, a range of media apps are available to use, including Netflix, Hulu, and others.

RetroArch is a reliable and handy emulation program that can be used for all kinds of old systems. While Nintendo Switch Online seems to continually only offer NES titles, this could be a useful workaround for playing all of your favorite Gameboy and SNES titles, provided of course you own the original and are not merely pirating ROMs.

Popular mobile games that are not on the Switch include Marvel: Contest of Champions, Clash of Clans, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, Hearthstone, and many more. If there is an Android game you enjoy, chances are it will work fairly well, keeping in mind that problems are always bound to pop up with hardware not made for its operating system.

Via: Twitter.com (AHackinformer)

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How To Install Android On The Switch

The Android build that you will need is called Switchroot LineageOS 15.1, which provides a version of Android 8.1. Select the image that corresponds to the size of your microSD card or smaller, leaving that extra space unused for other downloads later on.

Write the image directly to the microSD card, but do not extract the image. Note that other content will be overwritten, so you should use a blank microSD card for this. Download GApps for Android 8.1. from OpenGApps, use ARM64, and place the file on the first partition of the microSD card.

Download the “Shield-ifier” zip and copy it onto the microSD card. This will allow the Switch to identify as an Nvidia Shield TV and install the Nvidia app, all of which run quite well.

Load Hekate and boot to TWRP by holding Vol+ when you select the Android config.

Ensure to first mount /system first in TWRP. Flash GApps zip, optionally flash other zips. When complete and after installing GApps, wipe cache/Dalvik as offered by TWRP. Video that shows how to access and flash zips in TWRP can be viewed below:

Reboot to Hekate and boot into Android.

Complete the initial setup. For the Nvidia app to work, make sure to update it from Play Store!

How To Use Android OS

Once the microSD card has been prepared, you are free to boot into it whenever you like. Removing the microSD card and replacing it with another, perhaps one used for Switch games, will have no impact on your Nintendo Switch.

There are also some notable limitations to keep in mind when running Android on the Switch:

  • Both Joy-Cons seem to work well, but only in Bluetooth mode, even when physically connected
  • Bluetooth headsets are limited to older, less power-efficient, and lower-quality profiles
  • There is no video DRM, meaning that video streaming sites like Netflix will not let you stream at HD resolutions
  • The USB ports let you plug in mice, keyboards, and controllers. However, there is no USB external storage support
  • The battery life is, in general, quite short since this operates at full capacity while on
  • WiFi may stop working for an undetermined reason, and you'll need to reboot when this occurs

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How To Return To The Switch OS

Turning the system off should return the Switch to normal, since you need to boot into Android each time using the method listed above. In this way, you will always be able to power down and then get back to the Switch, using the Android only when desired.

Via: imore.com

Conclusion

Fair warning to all who would consider playing around with this as a project. Nintendo does not authorize any kind of modifications to your Switch, and although this will be booting from a microSD card, which is far safer than previous requirements of flashing, often permanently, the console itself, there are still risks involved.

Personally, this writer would only attempt this unauthorized use of the Android system on a second Nintendo Switch, and using a secondary profile. There is always the possibility that such behavior could end up bricking the Nintendo Switch console, corrupting saves, or simply having the console flagged from online play.

This in part is because the methods through which one may innocently explore using an Android system on the Switch are similar to those used by hackers who pirate games for use on their Switch. Clearly, the intentions are radically different, but to Nintendo, any kind of manipulation of its hardware away from its intended purpose may bring about the consequences mentioned above. If they swing their ban-hammer with the intention to hit hackers, and broadly also hit people who enjoy homebrewing, they will not be apologetic in any way.

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