Got an Old-School Switch? This is the Ultimate Guide to Hacking your HAC-001
As an OG Nintendo Switch owner myself, I‘ve been eagerly awaiting the console hacks that let us unleash the full potential of the hardware through homebrew applications and custom firmware. If your Switch is the elusive unpatched HAC-001 model, you‘re in luck! This beast can be modded to empower all sorts of creative tinkering Nintendo wouldn‘t approve of.
Let‘s dive in fellow gaming fanatics…I‘m going to show you exactly how to hack the venerable HAC-001 to run emulator ROMs, boot to Android, overclock for higher FPS, install Linux, and personalize your device with rad UI themes Nintendo would HATE!
Not All Switch Models are Created Equal
Before we get hacking, it‘s crucial to understand the key hardware differences between Switch models that make the HAC-001 uniquely vulnerable to modding compared to newer patched units:
| Specs | HAC-001 | HAC-001(-01) |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | March 2017 | August 2019 |
| CPU/GPU | Tegra X1 (Logan) 20nm | Tegra X1+ (Mariko) 16nm |
| RAM | 4 GB LPDDR4 | 4 GB LPDDR4X |
| NAND Storage | 32 GB | 32 or 64 GB |
| Battery Life | 2.5 – 6.5 hours | 4.5 – 9 hours |
As you can see, Nintendo beefed up battery efficiency in the HAC-001(-01) by swapping the Tegra X1 chip for the optimized Mariko variant and upgrading from LPDDR4 to LPDDR4X RAM.
However, the key takeaway is that the original Tegra X1 Logan CPU in the HAC-001 remains vulnerable to an unpatchable bootrom exploit dubbed "Fusée Gelée" offering system-level access that the improved Mariko chip has closed through hardware and firmware revisions.
Got that? The HAC-001 is the gateway drug…the only Switch that can currently get you into the world of deep mods with the right tools and skills.
Let‘s crack this bad boy open!
Equipping Your Hacking Toolkit
To hack your vintage HAC-001, you‘ll need:
- A supported dongle like the RCM Loader to inject payloads
- Custom firmware like Atmosphère or SX OS to override restrictions
- A jig to force Recovery Mode for launching fusee-primary
- Optional: a modchip once installed permits convenient booting into CFW without a jig
I‘ll be using the convenient All-in-One EZ-Flash Omega Definitive modchip in my tutorials moving forward. But software-only options work too if you‘re careful about entering and exiting Recovery Mode.
V1 Hacking Guide – Your Switch Mod Journey Begins!
Follow these steps to hack your unpatched Nintendo Switch:
Check your serial number at IsMySwitchPatched to confirm hackability status. My launch day unit is vulnerability confirmed 😎.
Prep MicroSD card with emuMMC using this excellent guide – protects your sysNAND when experimenting.
Install EZ-Flash modchip or prepare jig and plug in dongle for handheld RCM injection.
Boot to custom firmware like Atmosphere using package manager homebrew apps.
Have fun with overclocking, retro gaming, custom themes, and other homebrew software!
Believe me, after sinkng hundreds of hours modding across console generations, the Switch scene is refreshing!
Perks and Pitfalls – Assessing Hacking Risk vs. Reward
Hacking your HAC-001 delivers big benefits but isn‘t without downsides. Let‘s break down the pros and cons:
Why Hack?
Unlocks full CPU/GPU performance 🟢
Play retro ROMs with emulators 🟢
Customize themes and boot animations 🟢
Back up saves safely to MicroSD 🟢
Bypasses annoying restrictions 🟢
Cautions to Consider
Potential console banning by Nintendo 🛑
OS corruption and bricking danger 🛑
Voided warranty protections 🛑
Legal gray areas 🛑
My take? If you mostly play docked, hack away with a modchip for a snappy customized gaming rig! But be very careful when going online in handheld mode to hide CFW, or simply use a clean secondary sysNAND for your legit games and online stuff instead of atmosphere.
Either way, this is the ultimate guide to seizing control of your HAC-001 system! Got questions on your hacking quest? Ping me below!
