Guide_Switch-OLD/_pages/af_ZA/homebrew-launcher.txt

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title: "Homebrew Launcher"
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{% include toc title="Table of Contents" %}

### Required Reading

The Homebrew Launcher is currently "installed" to your device through a browser exploit. 

After the initial installation process is completed, a secondary exploit must then be run which will allow you to access the Homebrew Launcher through the Album application *until your device is rebooted*. 

After a reboot, you will have to re-run this secondary exploit in order to re-enable Homebrew Launcher access on your device. Additionally, note that this secondary exploit will also prevent you from playing retail games for as long as it remains active (*until your device is rebooted*).
 
If you are familiar with iOS device "jailbreaking", this idea could be considered analagous to a "semi-untethered jailbreak".

Note that the current homebrew exploit has the side-effect of corrupting your device's Mii Database upon initial installation. While this effect is harmless, it will result in the loss of any user-created Miis.
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### What you need

* The latest release of [nx-hbmenu](https://github.com/switchbrew/nx-hbmenu/releases/latest){:target="_blank"}

### Instructions

#### Section I - Prep Work

1. Power off your device
1. Insert your SD card into your computer
1. Copy `hbmenu.nro` from the nx-hbmenu `.zip` to the root of your SD card
1. Create a folder named `switch` on the root of your SD card if it does not already exist
1. Reinsert your SD card into your device
1. Power on your device

#### Section II - DNS Configuration

Note that these DNS servers will need to be set on each network you connect your device to in order for it to be able to trigger the exploit.
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1. Launch System Settings
1. Navigate to `Internet` -> `Internet Settings`
1. Select your current network
  + This is signified by a green check mark next to the network
1. Select "Change Settings"
1. Set "DNS Settings" to "Manual"
1. Set "Primary DNS" to `104.236.106.125`
1. Set "Secondary DNS" to `62.210.147.20`
1. Save the network settings
1. Exit System Settings

#### Section III - Initial Installation

1. Navigate to `Internet` -> `Internet Settings`
1. Select your current network
1. Select "Connect to this Network"
1. If the DNS connection was successful, you will see the message "Registration is required to use this network."
1. Select "Next"
1. The Homebrew Launcher webpage will load
1. Select "Install"
1. The PegaSwitch webpage will load
1. If the exploit was successful, you will see the error `2000-1337`
  + If you get stuck on the PegaSwitch page without seeing the error, reboot your device and try performing the connection test again
1. Reboot your device
1. When prompted about Mii database corruption, select "OK" to reboot your device again

#### Section IV - Running the Homebrew Launcher

Note that you will have to re-run this section of the exploit after each reboot in order to re-enable access to the Homebrew Launcher.

1. Navigate to `Internet` -> `Internet Settings`
1. Select your current network
1. Select "Connect to this Network"
1. If the DNS connection was successful, you will see the message "Registration is required to use this network."
1. Select "Next"
1. The Homebrew Launcher webpage will load
1. Select "Run"
1. If the exploit was successful, you will receive a popup asking you to exit
1. Return to the home menu
1. Launch the Album application
1. If the exploit was successful, the Homebrew Launcher will launch

#### Section V - Alternative Browser Applets (Optional)

As you must re-run the "Run" section of the exploit after each reboot, it would be ideal if there was a more convenient way of launching the browser than the connection test.

Fortunately, there are actually [multiple](http://switchbrew.org/index.php?title=Internet_Browser#Browser_Applets) browser applets on the Switch, and any of them can be used to trigger the browser exploit.

Two convenient methods for launching a browser are listed below:

##### eShop Sign In Prompt

To use this method, create a second account on your device. Do not connect it to a Nintendo Account.

1. Launch Nintendo eShop
1. Select the second account
1. Select "Sign In and link"
1. The browser applet will launch

##### Game Update Prompt

To use this method, you must have at least one game on your home screen.

Note that, if you were not connected to the correct DNS servers, this method would *update* your device. It is dangerous!
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1. Press (+) with any game highlighted
1. In the "Software Update" tab, select "Via the Internet"
1. The browser applet will launch

___


Note that, currently, homebrew development is in a very early state with a very limited number of applications.

You can find available applications on [switchbrew](http://switchbrew.org/index.php?title=Homebrew_Applications), [/r/SwitchHacks on reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/SwitchHacks/), or [Switch Homebrew on GBAtemp](https://gbatemp.net/forums/285/).

To install homebrew applications, simply copy the homebrew `.nro` file to the `/switch/` folder on your SD card.

___

You can now launch the Homebrew Launcher by launching the Album application from your device's home menu (*until your device is rebooted*).
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You will now be unable to launch retail cartridge or eShop games (*until your device is rebooted*).
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You will need to re-run the "Run" step of the exploit (using any browser applet) after each reboot in order to re-enable Homebrew Launcher access on your device.
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For regular homebrew and development progress summaries, check the [ReSwitched Weekly](https://reswitchedweekly.github.io/) blog regularly.
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For information on contributing to homebrew development as a developer, check out the [Homebrew Development](homebrew-development) page.
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