Quickstart: cheats on Nintendo Switch

A practical path from checking your console to installing cheat files in the correct location.

Before you begin

CheatSlips helps you find and organise cheat files, but it does not install custom firmware for you. Take your time, follow trusted documentation and keep a backup of your SD card before changing anything.

Understand the risks

Use a CFW only if you understand the consequences for your console and Nintendo account.

Back up your SD card

Keep a copy of important files before updating firmware or changing your setup.

Use trusted guides

Avoid random downloads and follow documentation maintained by the Switch homebrew community.

Your route to cheat codes

1

Check compatibility

Start with the serial-number checker. It uses only a short prefix, never your complete serial number.

Check my Switch
2

Install CFW carefully

Follow a maintained guide for your exact console. CheatSlips is not a replacement for the installation guide.

Open the Switch guide
3

Configure your profile

Choose your custom firmware in CheatSlips so downloaded archives use the expected directory structure.

Configure my CFW
4

Find and install a cheat

Choose a cheat that matches your game version, download it, then extract the archive to the root of the SD card.

Browse games

Where cheat files go

Cheat files are specific to both a game Title ID and a Build ID. A file can be present on the SD card but still not appear if either value does not match the game currently running.

CFW
The custom firmware layout used on your console, such as Atmosphère or SX OS.
Title ID
The identifier for the game or application.
Build ID
The identifier for this precise game update. New game updates usually require matching cheats.

Atmosphère / ReiNX

sdcard:/atmosphere/contents/<titleId>/cheats/<buildId>.txt

SX OS

sdcard:/sxos/titles/<titleId>/cheats/<buildId>.txt

For example, the cheat for Hollow Knight: Silksong belongs at /atmosphere/contents/None/cheats/FC9EA4CCC955D579.txt when you use Atmosphère.

If a cheat does not appear or work

Cheats disappeared after a game update

Every game update usually changes the Build ID. Cheats are made for one specific release, so download the latest file that matches the version currently installed on your Switch. If no matching cheat is available yet, the community may not have published one for the new update yet.

Check the file location

Extract the archive at the root of the SD card and verify the folders were merged, not placed inside an extra directory.

Update your CFW

Older custom firmware versions can have trouble loading cheats for newer games and updates.

Keep files simple

Avoid unusual characters in cheat titles and use files that stay within the limits of your cheat engine.

Disable automatic cheat activation

If Atmosphère automatically enables cheats when you open the cheat menu, edit atmosphere/config/system_settings.ini and set the following value:

dmnt_cheats_enabled_by_default = u8!0x0

If the configuration file does not exist, copy it from atmosphere/config_templates to your configuration folder first.