If you are searching for how to update a jailbroken Switch, the most important rule is to update the custom firmware components before updating Nintendo’s system firmware.
On most modern jailbroken or modded Nintendo Switch setups, that means updating Atmosphère, Hekate, and Fusee first, confirming that custom firmware still boots, and only then updating sysMMC or emuMMC.
Quick Answer: Back up your microSD card, check that Atmosphère and Hekate support the firmware you want to install, update Atmosphère, Fusee, and Hekate, test CFW, then update Nintendo firmware. If you use emuMMC, update it separately with Daybreak after sysMMC is updated.
As of September 2026, Atmosphère 1.11.2 and Hekate 6.5.3 support Nintendo Switch firmware through 22.5.0. Firmware 23.0.0 is not yet supported, so users who rely on CFW should not update to 23.0.0 yet.
What Does “Jailbroken Switch” Mean?
The term jailbroken Switch usually refers to a Nintendo Switch running custom firmware such as Atmosphère.
A typical CFW setup may include:
- Atmosphère
- Hekate
- Fusee
- emuMMC
- Homebrew Menu
- Sysmodules
- Custom themes
- Homebrew applications
These components are separate from Nintendo’s official firmware, so updating only the Switch system software can create compatibility problems.
Check Firmware Compatibility Before Updating
Before installing any Nintendo firmware, verify that both Atmosphère and Hekate support it.
Current compatibility:
| Component | Version | Supported Firmware |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphère | 1.11.2 | Up to 22.5.0 |
| Hekate | 6.5.3 | Up to 22.5.0 |
| Nintendo Firmware 23.0.0 | — | Not supported yet |
Atmosphèreswitch 1.11.2 officially added basic support for firmware 22.5.0 and requires an updated Fusee payload.
Hekate 6.5.3 also added support for HOS 22.5.0.
If the target firmware is newer than both projects support, wait before updating.
Back Up Your Jailbroken Switch First
Before replacing CFW files, copy your important microSD card data to your PC.
Back up:
/atmosphere/
/bootloader/
/switch/
/emuMMC/
Also preserve files such as:
/bootloader/hekate_ipl.ini
/exosphere.ini
/hbmenu.nro
A backup helps if the update causes:
- Atmosphère boot failures
- Broken Hekate settings
- Incompatible sysmodules
- Theme crashes
- emuMMC issues
- Corrupted SD card files
If you have a NAND backup, keep it stored somewhere separate from the active microSD card.
How to Update a Jailbroken Switch Step by Step
Use this general order:
- Check firmware compatibility.
- Back up the microSD card.
- Update Atmosphère.
- Update Fusee.
- Update Hekate.
- Disable outdated themes or sysmodules.
- Boot and test CFW.
- Update sysMMC.
- Update emuMMC separately if used.
- Verify the final firmware version.
Step 1: Update Atmosphere
Download the latest compatible Atmosphère release.
Copy the contents of the Atmosphère ZIP to the root of your microSD card.
If prompted, select overwrite/merge.
The NH Switch Guide recommends this exact process when updating Atmosphère.
A typical SD structure looks like:
SD:/
├── atmosphere/
├── bootloader/
├── switch/
└── hbmenu.nro
Do not update Nintendo firmware yet.
First confirm that your CFW files are current.
Step 2: Update Fusee
If your setup uses Fusee, replace the old:
fusee.bin
with the payload released alongside your current Atmosphère version.
Atmosphère 1.11.2 specifically requires an updated Fusee payload when upgrading.
Using an outdated Fusee can cause:
- Black screen
- Payload mismatch errors
- Atmosphère not booting
- Startup failures
Keep Fusee and Atmosphère on matching releases.
Step 3: Update Hekate
Download the latest compatible Hekate release.
Copy:
bootloader/
to the root of the microSD card.
Choose merge/replace when prompted.
Do not delete the old bootloader folder first.
Hekate’s official update instructions explicitly recommend merging the new folder so existing configurations and payloads remain intact.
Hekate also includes:
bootloader/update.bin
If this file is newer than the initially injected Hekate payload, Hekate can load the newer version automatically.
Step 4: Disable Incompatible Sysmodules and Themes
Before installing newer Nintendo firmware, inspect:
SD:/atmosphere/contents/
Old sysmodules and themes are common causes of crashes after system updates.
Potentially affected components include:
- Tesla overlays
- MissionControl
- ldn_mitm
- Overclocking modules
- Custom themes
- Controller sysmodules
- Network services
The NH Switch Guide specifically lists incompatible sysmodules and custom themes among the most common post-update crash causes.
If compatibility is uncertain, disable them temporarily before the first boot.
Step 5: Test Atmosphere Before Updating Firmware
Boot your normal Atmosphère configuration through Hekate.
For example:
Atmosphere PKG3 emuMMC
or:
Atmosphere PKG3 sysMMC
Then open:
System Settings → System
You should see a version string containing:
AMS
For example:
22.5.0 | AMS 1.11.2 | E
The important point is that Atmosphère boots correctly before you move to a newer Nintendo firmware.
How to Update sysMMC on a Jailbroken Switch
The correct method depends on your hardware setup.
Modchipped Switch
For major firmware updates, the NH Switch Guide recommends updating through OFW/Stock.
From Hekate:
Home → Reboot → OFW
Then open:
System Settings → System → System Update
If OFW does not boot, use:
Hekate → Launch → Stock sysMMC
instead.
This helps preserve proper system update behavior on modchipped consoles.
Unpatched V1 Switch
For an unpatched console, boot:
Hekate → Launch → Atmosphere PKG3 sysMMC
Then update through:
System Settings → System → System Update
The NH Switch Guide documents this method for non-hardware-modified systems.
If AutoRCM is enabled, note that updating through normal OFW can disable AutoRCM. Updating through sysCFW avoids that specific issue.
Does Updating sysMMC Update emuMMC?
No.
sysMMC and emuMMC are independent firmware environments.
For example:
sysMMC: 22.5.0
emuMMC: 21.2.0
can exist on the same Switch.
Updating sysMMC through Nintendo does not automatically update emuMMC.
How to Update emuMMC on a Jailbroken Switch
The standard workflow is:
- Update sysMMC.
- Dump the firmware from your own sysMMC.
- Boot Atmosphère emuMMC.
- Install the firmware using Daybreak.
The NH Switch Guide documents this as its normal emuMMC firmware-update workflow.
Step 1: Dump Your Updated Firmware
After sysMMC is updated, dump the installed firmware from your own console.
The NH Switch Guide currently documents methods using:
- Goldleaf
- nxdumptool
- TegraExplorer
For example, Goldleaf can export the installed update from:
Console & Goldleaf Settings → Firmware and Updates → Export Update → Directory.
Step 2: Boot Into Atmosphere emuMMC
From Hekate:
Launch → Atmosphere PKG3 emuMMC
Then verify the system-version string contains:
AMS
and identifies the emuMMC environment.
Do not accidentally install the firmware while booted into the wrong environment.
Step 3: Launch Daybreak
Open Homebrew Menu and launch:
Daybreak
Daybreak is Atmosphère’s firmware-installation utility.
Select:
Install
and browse to the firmware directory you dumped from your own sysMMC.
Step 4: Validate the Firmware
Daybreak checks the firmware package before installation.
If validation fails:
- Do not continue.
- Re-dump the firmware.
- Confirm all update files are present.
- Check SD card integrity.
Use a firmware dump from your own console rather than an unknown third-party package.
Step 5: Choose Preserve Settings
When Daybreak asks how to proceed, choose:
Preserve Settings
The NH Switch Guide recommends this option during a normal emuMMC firmware update.
Step 6: Choose the Filesystem Option
Daybreak may offer:
Install (FAT32 + exFAT)
or:
Install (FAT32)
The NH Switch Guide recommends FAT32 + exFAT when that option is available.
This selects the firmware-driver package; it does not force you to format your microSD card as exFAT.
Step 7: Install and Reboot
Let Daybreak complete the firmware installation.
Do not:
- Power off the Switch
- Remove the microSD card
- Force a reboot
- Interrupt the install process
When finished, reboot the console and launch Atmosphère emuMMC again.
Step 8: Verify the Update
Open:
System Settings → System
Check the firmware and Atmosphère versions.
For example:
22.5.0 | AMS 1.11.2 | E
This confirms that:
- The target firmware is installed.
- Atmosphère is active.
- You are running emuMMC.
Can You Update a Jailbroken Switch Normally?
Yes, but only after confirming CFW compatibility.
The issue is not simply using Nintendo’s System Update. The important part is ensuring that Atmosphère and Hekate already support the firmware version you are installing.
If Nintendo releases a new firmware first, updating immediately may prevent CFW from booting.
As of September 2026, firmware 23.0.0 is still unsupported by Atmosphère 1.11.2 and Hekate 6.5.3.
Common Problems After Updating a Jailbroken Switch
Atmosphere Shows a Yellow or Blue Screen
This usually indicates mismatched or incomplete Atmosphère files.
Re-copy the full latest compatible Atmosphère release to the SD card and overwrite the existing files.
The NH Switch Guide specifically identifies mismatched Atmosphère files as a common cause.
“Unknown pkg1 Version” Error
You may see:
Unknown pkg1 version.
HOS version not supported!
This usually means your Hekate version does not support the installed firmware.
Update Hekate and try again.
Atmosphere Crashes After the Firmware Update
Common causes include:
- Outdated sysmodule
- Custom theme
- Old Hekate
- Old Fusee
- Unsupported firmware
- Incomplete Atmosphère update
Temporarily disable third-party modifications and test a clean CFW boot.
Custom Theme Causes a Crash
Firmware updates can change HOME Menu components.
An outdated theme may crash immediately after boot.
The NH Switch Guide identifies the theme-related folder:
SD:/atmosphere/contents/0100000000001000/
as a common source of theme crashes after updates.
Remove or update the incompatible theme.
MissionControl or ldn_mitm Crashes
Sysmodules may require new versions after Atmosphère updates.
The NH Switch Guide specifically documents compatibility crashes involving MissionControl and ldn_mitm after firmware or Atmosphère updates.
Update the affected sysmodule or temporarily remove it.
How to Update Without Removing the SD Card
Hekate provides USB microSD access.
Open:
Hekate → Tools → USB Tools → SD Card
Connect the Switch to your PC.
You can then update:
- Atmosphère
- Hekate
- Homebrew apps
- Configuration files
without physically removing the microSD card.
The NH Switch Guide uses this workflow for current Atmosphère and Hekate updates.
Should You Update Atmosphere Before Nintendo Firmware?
Yes.
The preferred update order is:
Atmosphère → Fusee → Hekate → test CFW → Nintendo firmware
This reduces the risk of installing a firmware version before your custom firmware stack is ready for it.
Should You Update Hekate Too?
Yes, whenever the target firmware requires a newer Hekate release.
Hekate 6.5.3 is currently the latest version and supports firmware through 22.5.0.
Keeping Hekate current also helps avoid pkg1 compatibility errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Update a Jailbroken Nintendo Switch?
Back up the microSD card, update Atmosphère, Fusee, and Hekate, test CFW, update sysMMC, and then update emuMMC separately with Daybreak if you use one.
Should I Update CFW or Nintendo Firmware First?
Atmosphère and Hekate should already support the target Nintendo firmware before you install it.
Can I Update a Jailbroken Switch Through System Settings?
Yes, when your target firmware is supported. The recommended environment differs between modchipped and unpatched consoles.
Will Updating Remove Atmosphere?
A normal Nintendo firmware update does not simply delete Atmosphère from the SD card. However, installing unsupported firmware can prevent the installed Atmosphère version from booting.
Does Updating sysMMC Update emuMMC?
No. They are separate environments and can run different firmware versions.
What Is Daybreak Used For?
Daybreak is Atmosphère’s firmware-installation utility. It is commonly used to install a valid firmware package onto emuMMC.
Do I Need to Update Fusee?
Yes when the Atmosphère release requires it. Atmosphère 1.11.2 specifically requires an updated Fusee payload.
Conclusion: How to Update a Jailbroken Switch
Learning how to update a jailbroken Switch mainly comes down to keeping your Atmosphère, Hekate, Fusee, sysMMC, and emuMMC versions compatible.
The safest order is:
check compatibility → back up SD card → update Atmosphère → update Fusee → update Hekate → test CFW → update sysMMC → update emuMMC with Daybreak → verify the system version.
Do not install a newly released Nintendo firmware until Atmosphère and Hekate support it. Most post-update problems are caused by unsupported firmware, mismatched Atmosphère files, old Hekate builds, outdated Fusee payloads, custom themes, or incompatible sysmodules.
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