Introduction
A new, updated version of Android for the Nintendo Switch. Now based off of Android 10 (Q) (LineageOS 17.1 with Shield TV trees) it's faster, more responsive and has many new features over the previous release, including deep sleep and an Android TV build.
Features
- Android 10 based on Lineage 17.1
- Significantly improved UI smoothness compared to Oreo.
- OTA updates (bugfixes and new features without a reinstall).
- Deep sleep that can last for weeks compared to hours in the previous version.
- RSMouse support for controlling a mouse cursor with your right stick
- Full Joy-Con and Pro Controller support with analog sticks and rails.
- Hori Joy-Con support.
- Uses Joy-Con HOS Bluetooth paring data.
- Both Android TV and Android Tablet builds.
- Reworked fan profiles for quieter operation.
- Optimized dock support with resolution scaling.
- OTG support including DisplayPort or HDMI output (no power supply necessary).
- 3rd party dock/hub support including DisplayPort or HDMI output.
- Rewritten charging driver to properly support USB-PD.
- Optimized touch screen driver.
- Easier install via hekate partition tool.
- Reworked, simpler, power profiles.
- Much improved WiFi driver with less dropouts.
- Shield TV remote app support for easy docked control.
- Reboot to payload support.
- Improved Bluetooth accessory support.
- Auto rotation support.
Known Bugs:
- Shield games are broken, DO NOT BUY THEM.
- Joycons do not turn off in sleep automatically, make sure to turn them off by tapping the 'sync' button on side.
- Default keyboard can't be used with a controller.
Downloads
Hekate - Extract zip to root of SD Card.
ROM zip - choose one of these and extract to root of SD Card using
7-zip, not the built in windows extractor:
Tablet - Works best undocked and has the full Android app library.
Android TV - Provides a great docked and undocked experience for media but may not support all apps and games.
Flashable Zips, don't extract but instead install in TWRP:
Gapps -
Use arm64 pico for tablet and arm64 tvmini for Android TV.
Alarm Disable Zip - disables alarms and notifications in sleep in order to
dramatically improve sleep time and avoid some SoDs.
Installing
Follow the tutorial here
Changelog:
OTA 12/02/2021:
- Fixes deep sleep crashes on most devices.
- Fixes BT audio lag and stutter in most apps.
- Fixes bluetooth crash issues that affected some devices.
- Fixes joycon LEDs not being turned off when docked.
OTA 10/05/2021:
- Dramatically increases deep sleep battery life.
- Adds support for controlling the mouse cursor with a controller's right stick.
- Fixes various controller input issues with procon and the D-Pad in minecraft.
- Fixes broken hori joycons.
- Improved app launch times.
- Adds support for more ethernet -> USB adapters.
Tips & Tricks:
- To enable Performance Mode and change resolution go to Settings -> Scroll Down -> System -> Scroll Down -> Display and Performance configuration.
- If you don't need notifications or alarms you should grab the alarm disable zip in downloads, it increases sleep time by several orders of magnitude.
- The Nvidia Shield TV app is a must have for docked usage, allowing keyboard and mouse control from a phone.
- If you don't set a password the switch will auto-unlock after being docked.
- The capture button on the Joy-Cons is mapped to Play/Pause media.
- You can enable desktop mode to have a slightly better docked experience by going to Developer Options and scrolling down to 'Force Desktop Mode' enable that and reboot.
- To see battery percentage on ATV follow this guide.
- If you want to use a controller to type on tablet then install this keyboard.
- To run tablet apps on ATV use this launcher.
- For root the latest magisk can be flashed in TWRP
- To transfer files to Android you can use MTP over USB.
Stay in touch
Discord:
https://discord.gg/9d66FYg
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/switchroot_org
Website:
https://switchroot.org/
Sources
https://gitlab.com/switchroot/android
https://gitlab.com/switchroot
See manifest repo for build instructions.
Credits
Ave - Handling hosting of OTAs and the switchroot website. Check out
her patreon!
CTCaer - Fixing a lot of things in the kernel - charging, dock, touch etc - and adding Android install support for nyx. Donate to
his patreon here!
Langerhans - Figuring out the majority of stuff for deep sleep and helping massively with initial bringup.
Steel01 - Maintaining the Shield TV Lineage trees which ours are heavily based on.
Nvidia + Nintendo - ❤
Everyone else who contributed!