1. Install Hekate on your Nintendo Switch Lite RP2040

Introducing the groundbreaking Switch Lite RP2040, the ultimate companion for tech-savvy Nintendo enthusiasts! This innovative device empowers you to unlock the full potential of your Switch Lite, granting access to a world of possibilities. The RP2040, with its remarkable capabilities, opens up endless opportunities for customization and expansion, allowing you to tailor your gaming experience like never before. Prepare to embark on an exciting journey as we explore the transformative power of the Switch Lite RP2040.

Installing Hekate on your Switch Lite RP2040 is a crucial step towards unlocking its true potential. Hekate is a powerful bootloader that provides a user-friendly interface for managing your device. With Hekate at your command, you can effortlessly load custom firmware, such as Atmosphere, which opens the door to a plethora of customizations and game enhancements. The installation process is straightforward and accessible to users of all skill levels. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide step-by-step instructions, ensuring that you can confidently install Hekate and unleash the boundless possibilities of your Switch Lite RP2040.

Once Hekate is successfully installed, you will gain access to a suite of features that will enhance your gaming experience. From managing boot configurations to backing up and restoring your device, Hekate empowers you with unparalleled control over your Switch Lite. Additionally, Hekate serves as a gateway to a thriving community of modders and developers, providing access to the latest custom themes, emulators, and performance tweaks. With Hekate at your disposal, the limitations of your Switch Lite vanish, transforming it into a customizable powerhouse that will redefine your gaming adventures.

Preparation and Materials

Essential Components

Before embarking on the installation process, you will need to gather a few essential components. These include:

A Switch Lite console
A USB-C cable for connecting the console to a computer
A microSD card with at least 16GB of storage space
An RP2040 microcontroller development board
A set of jumper wires
A soldering iron and solder

Software Requirements

In addition to the physical components, you will also need to download and install the following software:

The latest version of Hekate (available from the official Hekate website)
The latest version of the RP2040 firmware (available from the official RP2040 website)
A USB burner tool (such as Etcher) for writing the firmware to the microSD card

Preparation Steps

Before proceeding with the installation, it is important to perform the following preparatory steps:

Ensure that your Switch Lite console is fully charged.
Format the microSD card as FAT32 and create a folder named “bootloader” on the card.
Download the Hekate package and extract the contents to the “bootloader” folder on the microSD card.

Download Hekate

Before you begin, ensure you have a reliable internet connection to download the necessary files.
Visit the official Hekate website and navigate to the latest release page. Download the appropriate Hekate payload file for your Switch Lite’s firmware version.
Additionally, download the Zadig USB driver from the official site. This driver is crucial for establishing communication between your Switch Lite and the computer.

USB Driver

Installing the USB driver is essential for recognizing your Switch Lite in RCM mode. Follow these steps to ensure proper installation:

Updating the USB Driver

Connect your Switch Lite to your computer using a USB-C cable while holding the Volume+ button.
Your Switch Lite will be detected as an “Unknown Device” in Device Manager.
Right-click on the “Unknown Device” and select “Update Driver Software”.
Browse and select the downloaded Zadig USB driver.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Confirming Proper Installation

Once the USB driver is installed, you can verify its proper functionality by checking if the “Unknown Device” entry has changed to “RCM Loader (FW Ver)”. This indicates that your computer can now communicate with your Switch Lite in RCM mode.

USB Driver	Installation Steps
Zadig USB driver	– Connect Switch Lite in RCM mode – Right-click on “Unknown Device” in Device Manager – Update Driver Software – Select downloaded Zadig USB driver – Follow on-screen instructions

Unzip and Setup Hekate

To begin the installation process, you need to unzip the Hekate package that you have downloaded. To do this, right-click on the zipped file and select the “Extract All” option. Select a destination folder where you want to extract the files and click “Extract.” This will create a folder containing all the necessary files for Hekate.

Once the files are extracted, locate the “hekate_ctcaer_x.xx.bin” file within the extracted folder. This is the main Hekate payload file that you will need to install on your Switch Lite.

Step 1: Put the Hekate Bin File on Your Switch Lite’s SD Card

Obtain an empty FAT32-formatted microSD card and insert it into your Switch Lite. Create a “bootloader” folder on the SD card’s root directory and copy the “hekate_ctcaer_x.xx.bin” file into it. Additionally, create an “atmosphere” folder and copy the “atmosphere” folder from the extracted Hekate package into it. This will ensure that Hekate can load the Atmosphere custom firmware when needed.

Step 2: Prepare and Run Fusee.bin

Connect your Switch Lite to your computer using a USB-C cable. On your computer, navigate to the “fusee-primary.bin” file within the Hekate package and drag and drop it onto the Switch Lite’s microSD card’s root directory. This file is responsible for booting into Hekate’s interface.

After transferring the “fusee-primary.bin” file, safely eject the SD card from your computer.

Step 3: Boot into Hekate

Insert the SD card back into your Switch Lite and hold down the “Volume Up” button while pressing the “Power” button. This will boot your Switch Lite into the Hekate menu. You can now release the “Volume Up” button once the Hekate interface appears.

From the Hekate menu, you can choose various options, including loading custom firmware, managing payloads, and accessing system settings.

Install USB Driver

Before installing Hekate, you need to install the appropriate USB driver for your computer. Here’s how:

Download the USB driver for your computer’s operating system from the Switch Lite Rp2040 website.
Unzip the downloaded file and run the installation wizard.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Once the installation is complete, restart your computer.

Operating System	USB Driver
Windows 10	Zadig v2.6 or later
macOS	FTDI VCP Driver
Linux	libusb-compat

Note: If you encounter any issues during the USB driver installation, consult the manufacturer’s website or seek assistance from the Switch Lite Rp2040 community.

Transfer Payload to SD Card

To prepare your SD card for Hekate, follow these steps:

1. Format the SD Card

Format your microSD card to FAT32 using a computer or formatting tool.

2. Create a Folder

Create a folder named “payload” at the root of the SD card.

3. Download Hekate Payload

Visit the Hekate website to download the payload file (.bin format).

4. Place Payload in Folder

Copy the downloaded Hekate payload file into the “payload” folder on the SD card.

5. Additional Payloads (Optional)

If you wish to install additional payloads (e.g., Atmosphere, Kosmos), create separate folders within the “payload” folder and place the respective payload files in each folder.

Payload	Folder Name
Atmosphere	atmosphere
Kosmos	kosmos

Note: Once all payloads are transferred, ensure that the SD card is safely ejected from the computer before inserting it into the Switch Lite.

Prepare Switch Lite for Hekate Boot

To prepare your Switch Lite for Hekate boot, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Ensure Compatibility

Ensure that your Switch Lite is compatible with the Hekate bootloader. Refer to the official Hekate website for a list of supported models.

2. Back Up Data

Create a backup of your Switch Lite’s data, as the installation process may delete any existing data.

3. Format microSD Card

Format a microSD card to FAT32. This card will be used to store the Hekate payload.

4. Download Hekate Payload

Download the latest Hekate payload from the official website. Extract the payload file (hekate_ctcaer_x.x.x.bin) to the root of the microSD card.

5. Configure Atmosphere

Install Atmosphere, a custom firmware for the Switch, on your microSD card. Follow the official Atmosphere guide for installation instructions.

6. Set Bootloader Flags

On your Switch Lite, navigate to the “Settings” menu and select “System.” Scroll down to “System Update” and select “Update Off.” Next, hold down the “R” and “+” buttons while selecting “Restart.” This will boot your Switch Lite into the fusee-gelee2 payload.

Once in fusee-gelee2, select the “Settings” tab and enable the following flags:

Flag	Setting
AutoRCM	On
Boot Hekate	On
Disable AMS	Off

Enter RCM Mode

To enter RCM mode, follow these steps:

1. Power off your Switch Lite.

2. Locate the volume up button and the power button on the left side of the console.

3. Hold down the volume up button and then press and hold the power button.

4. Continue holding both buttons for about 10 seconds, until the Switch Lite vibrates and the screen turns black.

5. Release the power button but continue holding the volume up button.

6. Connect your Switch Lite to your computer using a USB-C cable.

7. Once your Switch Lite is connected to your computer, you will see a message on the computer screen that says “Recovery Mode”. This indicates that the Switch Lite is now in RCM mode.

Troubleshooting
If you are having trouble entering RCM mode, try the following:	Make sure that you are holding down the volume up and power buttons for at least 10 seconds.
	Try using a different USB-C cable.
	Try connecting your Switch Lite to a different USB port on your computer.

Inject Hekate Payload

To inject Hekate payload, you will need:

A Switch Lite with Fusee-gelee2 installed
A computer with an SD card reader
The latest Hekate payload (available at https://github.com/CTCaer/hekate/releases)
A microSD card

Once you have all of the necessary components, follow these steps:

1. Format the microSD card

Using a computer, format the microSD card to FAT32. Do not leave any files on the card.

2. Copy Hekate to the microSD card

Download the latest Hekate payload (hekate.bin) and copy it to the root of the microSD card.

3. Boot into Hekate

Insert the microSD card into the Switch Lite and boot into Fusee-gelee2. Once you are in Fusee-gelee2, press and hold the Volume Up button to enter the Hekate payload menu.

4. Install Hekate

In the Hekate payload menu, use the D-pad to select “Install Bootloader” and then press the A button. This will install Hekate as a permanent bootloader on the Switch Lite.

5. Reboot the Switch Lite

Once Hekate is installed, press and hold the Power button to reboot the Switch Lite.

6. Boot into Hekate

After the Switch Lite reboots, press and hold the Volume Up button to enter the Hekate payload menu.

7. Install Hekate

In the Hekate payload menu, use the D-pad to select “Install Bootloader” and then press the A button. This will install Hekate as a permanent bootloader on the Switch Lite.

8. Reboot the Switch Lite

Once Hekate is installed, press and hold the Power button to reboot the Switch Lite. Hekate will now be permanently installed as the bootloader.

Verify Boot into Hekate

To verify that Hekate has been successfully installed, you can boot into the payload and navigate to the menu options. Here are the detailed steps:

Power on your Switch Lite with RCM Jig: Insert the RCM jig into the right Joy-Con rail and press the power button.
Verify Hekate Screen: You should see the Hekate boot screen on your Switch Lite’s screen.
Navigate Menu: Use the volume buttons to navigate the menu options and the power button to select an option.
Check Current Payload: Select “Payloads” and then “Current Payload.” Hekate should display the currently loaded payload, such as “Atmosphere CFW” or “Kosmos Patcher.”
Check Bootloader Version: Select “Console Information” and then “Bootloader.” You should see the version number of Hekate’s bootloader, which indicates a successful installation.
Check Atmosphere Version (if applicable): If you have installed Atmosphere CFW, select “Atmosphere Information” to view the current version and status.
Check Other Options: Feel free to explore the other menu options, such as “Tools,” “Options,” and “Exit,” to understand Hekate’s capabilities.
Mount Systems: To access the console’s internal storage, select “Tools” and then “Mount Systems.” This allows you to manage files, backups, and updates.
Exit Hekate: To exit Hekate, select “Exit” from the main menu and then power off your Switch Lite by pressing and holding the power button for a few seconds.

Troubleshooting

If you don’t see the Hekate boot screen or encounter any issues, refer to the troubleshooting guide in Troubleshoot Hekate Installation section.

Troubleshooting and Common Issues

1. Hekate is stuck on the splash screen

Ensure your Switch Lite is fully charged and connected to a stable power source. If the issue persists, try a different USB-C cable or port.

2. I cannot select any options in Hekate

Check that your microSD card is inserted correctly and formatted as exFAT. If the microSD card is recognized but not mountable, try formatting it again with a different tool.

3. My Switch Lite crashes when I try to run a payload

Verify that the payload file you are using is compatible with your Switch Lite’s firmware version. Additionally, ensure that the payload file is in the correct folder on your microSD card.

4. Hekate is not displaying my microSD card

Check if the microSD card is fully inserted and in a good condition. Try a different microSD card or card reader to rule out hardware issues.

5. I get an error message when trying to launch Hekate

The error message will provide specific details about the issue. Research the error code or refer to online forums for potential solutions.

6. Hekate is not recognizing my Joy-Cons

Ensure that the Joy-Cons are connected securely to the Switch Lite. If they are not recognized, try resyncing them by holding down the SYNC button on both Joy-Cons.

7. I cannot access the Hekate payload menu

Confirm that you are pressing the correct button combination (Volume Up + Power) to enter the Hekate payload menu. If it still does not work, try using a different microswitch reader or cable.

8. Hekate is not saving my settings

Ensure that the settings.ini file is present on your microSD card and has the proper permissions. Check that the file is not in read-only mode and that you have write access.

9. I get a “No valid payloads found” error

Verify that you have placed a compatible payload file in the “payloads” folder on your microSD card. Ensure that the file is in the correct format (e.g., .bin).

10. Hekate is not updating properly

Make sure you have a stable internet connection and that you are using the official Hekate release. If the update fails, try downloading the latest version and manually flashing it onto your Switch Lite.

Switch Lite Rp2040: How to Install Hekate

Hekate is a homebrew bootloader that allows you to boot into custom firmware on your Nintendo Switch Lite Rp2040. This can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as playing pirated games, running emulators, or modifying the system’s software.

To install Hekate on your Switch Lite Rp2040, you will need the following:

* A microSD card with at least 32GB of storage space
* A computer with a microSD card reader
* A copy of the Hekate package (available from the official website)
* A copy of the TegraRcmGUI package (available from GitHub)

Once you have all of the necessary files, you can follow these steps to install Hekate:

1. Format the microSD card as FAT32.
2. Copy the contents of the Hekate package to the microSD card.
3. Copy the contents of the TegraRcmGUI package to the microSD card.
4. Eject the microSD card from your computer and insert it into your Switch Lite Rp2040.
5. Hold down the volume up button on your Switch Lite Rp2040 and press the power button.
6. Continue holding down the volume up button until you see the Hekate menu.

Once you have installed Hekate, you can use it to boot into custom firmware by selecting the “Launch” option from the menu. You can also use Hekate to manage your boot options, update your custom firmware, and more.