How to check if your Nintendo Switch is moddable

If you want to use custom software or allow your Switch to run older Nintendo titles, the only choice you have would be to mod your device. It is not a simple task however. Not all Switch consoles can be modded, and even for those that are, there are risks you should take note of.

Before we start

Nintendo is pretty strict about what its users can do on both its consoles and its games. Modifying your Switch device will not only void any warranties you may have, Nintendo may also refuse to repair your device for a fee.

There is also a slight chance that any changes to the Switch's operating system will cause your device to crash. Since Nintendo will then refuse to repair any Switch that has been modified or attempted to be modified, this essentially means that your only solution is to buy a new console.

Be sure to think about this before deciding to mod your Nintendo Switch because more often than not there is no turning back. If you think the risks are worth taking, read on.

Can my Nintendo Switch be modified?

Not all Nintendo Switch consoles can be modded. The mod, or hack, depends on a certain vulnerability to software called Fusée Gelée. After the vulnerability was discovered, it was disclosed to Nintendo, who patched it for later console releases. If your device has not been patched it can be modded, otherwise there is no way to mod your console.

There are several ways to check whether your device has been patched or not. The easiest would be to compare the serial number lists of patched and unpatched Nintendo Switch consoles. You can find the serial number of your device under it. It's the number on the sticker with the barcode. If the sticker is not there, you can check it on your Switch by going to System settings – by tapping System, And then Series Information.

Once you have the number, you can compare it to the list provided here:

1. For serial numbers beginning with XAW1
   Serial numbers between XAW10000000000 and XAW10074000000 are not corrected and can be changed.
   Serial numbers between XAW10074000000 and XAW10120000000 are potentially corrected.
   Serial numbers from XAW10120000000 are fixed and not changeable.
2. For serial numbers beginning with XAW4
   Serial numbers between XAW40000000000 and XAW40011000000 are not corrected and can be changed.
   Serial numbers between XAW40011000000 and XAW40012000000 have potentially been corrected.
   Series of XAW40012000000 and above are already patched and cannot be changed.
3. For serial numbers beginning with XAW7
   Serial numbers between XAW70000000000 and XAW70017800000 are not corrected and can be changed.
   Serial numbers between XAW700178000000 and XAW70030000000 may have been corrected.
   Serial numbers from XAW70030000000 are fixed and cannot be changed.
4. For serial numbers beginning with XAJ1
   Serial numbers between XAJ10000000000 and XAJ10020000000 are not corrected and therefore editable.
   Serial numbers between XAJ10020000000 and XAJ10030000000 have probably been corrected.
   Serials from XAJ10030000000 and above are corrected and not editable.
5. For serial numbers beginning with XAJ4
   Serial numbers between XAJ40000000000 and XAJ40046000000 are not corrected and can be changed.
   Serial numbers between XAJ4004600000 and XAJ4006000000 have probably been corrected.
   Serials of XAJ4006000000 and above have been fixed and are not editable.
6. For serial numbers beginning with XAJ7
   Serial numbers between XAJ70000000000 and XAJ70040000000 are not corrected and can be changed.
   Serial numbers between XAJ7004000000 and XAJ70050000000 may have been corrected.
   Serial numbers from XAJ70050000000 are fixed and cannot be changed.
7. For series starting with XKW1, XKJ1, XJW1 and XWW1 all consoles released with these numbers are patched and cannot be modded.

Devices that have possibly been patched mean that modding will most likely not work on console. There's a slight chance you could change it, but more often than not the patch closed the vulnerability.

If you don't like looking at listings or if you're in a store and want to check if the console on the shelf is moddable, you can use this tool to check the individual serial number.

So my switch is moddable, now what?

There are several methods to mod an unpatched Nintendo Switch depending on your firmware version. You can find the firmware version of your device by going to the System settings, by pressing System then scrolling down to see the Update version.

All firmware versions of unpatched Switch consoles can be modified using recovery mode or RCM method. Additionally, consoles with firmware version 1.0.0 can be modded using software called Nereba, and versions 2.0.0 through 4.1.0 can be patched with another software called Caffeine.

Search Google Switch mod RCM, Nereba or Caffeine to see the step by step method to do it. Whichever method is available to you, you'll want to read the instructions carefully and perhaps several times before proceeding with the mod on your Switch.

Even if you have a patched Switch, there may be future releases from these modders that may eventually crack the patch, and if you want to wait, don't update your version beyond 7.0.1. Any updates after that will prevent any tampering with the console code.

A risky proposition

Modding, while risky, can open up your Switch to a whole range of games and apps. Similar to jailbreaking or rooting mobile devices, it allows your Switch to do things it was never originally designed to do. This is an important decision that has both advantages and disadvantages.

Do you know of any other methods to check if your Nintendo Switch is moddable? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.