Android is the main OS that we have in the smartphone market. Yes, there is the iOS but, that is strictly for the Apple products. Moreover, Android offers immense possibilities of porting, developing custom ROMs and modded applications. However, the Nintendo Switch which is a gaming device has also come under the Android developer’s radar, and thankfully, XDA Developers Senior Member, langer hans and Junior Member, bylaws, have come up with the Lineage OS 15 which is based on the Android 8.0 Oreo. Besides, in this post, we will be sharing with you a step by step guide on how to install Android Port Lineage OS 15.1 on Nintendo Switch.
Now, thanks to XDA developers, users of the Nintendo Switch can install the Lineage OS 15.1 which is based on the Android Oreo, straight from the SD card itself. But, keep in mind that this port will work on the Nintendo Switch devices that were sold before July 2018. Lineage OS is a popular custom ROM and installing it on the Nintendo Switch allows the user to open up the possibilities of doing more with the gaming device. Moreover, this is an unofficial port for the Nintendo Switch however, if you follow this guide carefully, you will be able to install and run Android custom ROM on the gaming device.
So, without any further ado, let us get straight into the article itself;
How To Install Android Port Lineage OS 15.1 on Nintendo Switch [Step by Side Guide]
Features
This Android Lineage OS 15 port brings to a lot of features and a whole new Android experience for your gaming device. Also, keep in mind that this port will only work on the Nintendo Switch devices sold before July 2018. Below, is the list of features that the Android Lineage OS port will bring on the Nintendo Switch device, once you have ported it;
- You get the LineageOS 15.1 which is based on Android 8.1 Oreo
- This port is based on the Nvidia Shield TV trees that bring in smoother and powerful Android experience for the Nintendo Switch.
- This comes with TWRP pre-installed.
- CPU and GPU performance profiles.
- Works in handheld and docked mode.
- Audio is supported.
- You can connect Joycons via Bluetooth, also in handheld mode.
Known Bugs
As this is an unofficial bug, there are some bugs that are known and has been listed by the developers themselves. Make sure to go through the list, before installing it on your Nintendo Switch device;
- Deep sleep, so battery life is not great
- Autorotation as we haven’t figured out how to talk to the sensor yet
- Screen off in the dock
- Charging is not detected, but the console still charges
- Some apps don’t handle Joycon inputs correctly
- The touchscreen sometimes detects touches even when your finger is just floating over the screen
- There is a system process ANR on boot. Just click „Wait“ and it won’t happen again until next boot
- Screenshots do not work
- WiFi may randomly stop working. If this happens just reboot
- If TV looks odd and grainy when docking then re-dock a few times.
- No TV keyboard that can be used with a gamepad
- SELinux is disabled
- You can’t access the FAT32 partition of the SD card on macOS. Windows and Linux work.
Version Information
Download Link for Lineage OS 15.1 Android 8.1 Oreo for Nintendo Switch
You can download the Lineage OS 15.1 based on Android Oreo 8.1 from the below-mentioned links;
- 16GB Image File [button anchor=”Direct” url=”https://download.switchroot.org/android/android-16gb.img.gz” size=”medium” style=”material” color=”blue-sky” block=”yes”] [button anchor=”Torrent” url=”https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/572065430089498644/604714766308474880/switchroot-android-16gb.torrent” size=”medium” style=”material” color=”blue-sky” block=”yes”]
- 32GB Image File [button anchor=”Direct” url=”https://download.switchroot.org/android/android-32gb.img.gz” size=”medium” style=”material” color=”blue-sky” block=”yes”] [button anchor=”Torrent” url=”https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/572065430089498644/604714767919349793/switchroot-android-32gb.torrent” size=”medium” style=”material” color=”blue-sky” block=”yes”]
- 64GB Image File [button anchor=”Direct” url=”https://download.switchroot.org/android/android-64gb.img.gz” size=”medium” style=”material” color=”blue-sky” block=”yes”] [button anchor=”Torrent” url=”https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/572065430089498644/604714769446076416/switchroot-android-64gb.torrent” size=”medium” style=”material” color=”blue-sky” block=”yes”]
- 128GB Image File [button anchor=”Direct” url=”https://download.switchroot.org/android/android-128gb.img.gz” size=”medium” style=”material” color=”blue-sky” block=”yes”] [button anchor=”Torrent” url=”https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/572065430089498644/604714768481124352/switchroot-android-128gb.torrent” size=”medium” style=”material” color=”blue-sky” block=”yes”]
- Shield-ifier [button anchor=”Direct” url=”https://download.switchroot.org/android/shieldifier.zip” size=”medium” style=”material” color=”blue-sky” block=”yes”] [button anchor=”Torrent” url=”https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/572065430089498644/604714770662424596/switchroot-shieldifier.torrent” size=”medium” style=”material” color=”blue-sky” block=”yes”]
Steps to Install the Lineage OS 15.1 Android Oreo 8.1 for the Nintendo Switch
[su_note note_color=”#F9D9D9″ text_color=”#AA4343″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]Note that the installation of this Lineage OS 15.1 Android port for the Nintendo Switch requires your attention. It is a bit difficult also, but if you follow all the mentioned steps carefully, you will be able to install it correctly. You also need to make sure to download the image file similar to your SD card. This image will wipe off the data stored on the Nintendo Switch device.[/su_note]- Firstly, download the image file from the above download section. Note that, the size of the image file should match to the size of the SD Card of your Nintendo Switch. You can also use an image which is smaller in size than your SD Card.
- Now, once you have downloaded the compatible image file, you need to write the image on the SD card using balenaEtcher. Make sure you do not extract the image file, as the balenaEtcher can handle the compressed image without any problems.
- Note that the above step will overwrite any data on the SD Card.
- The balenaEtcher might not show you the progress bar or notification as the process of flashing will continue. However, once it is done, the Etcher will notify you so, you do not need to worry about it. Moreover, the process will take about an hour depending on the SD card’s speed. Also, note that you do not format any of the partitions when Windows prompts you to after flashing.
- Now, you need to download the GApps for the Android 8.1 Oreo (ARM64 version).
- Put the Gapps on the first partition of your new SD Card.
- If you want your Nintendo Switch to get identified as Nvidia Shield TV and install the Nvidia app, you can download the Shield-ifier image file and place it in your SD Card.
- Once that is done, load hekate and boot to TWRP by holding VOLUME + when you select the Android config.
- Now, make sure to mount/system first in TWRP.
- Flash GApps zip, and optionally flash other zips.
- After installing GApps wipe cache/dalvik as offered by TWRP.
- Once you are done with all the above steps, you need to reboot to hekate and boot into Android.
- Now, complete the initial setup. If you want the Nvidia app to work, make sure to update it from Google Play Store.
Below is the video, that will show you how to access and flash zips in TWRP;
Screenshots of the Android Port Working on the Nintendo Switch
Conclusion
So, there you have it from my side in this post. As already mentioned, installing the Android port on the Nintendo Switch can be a bit difficult. However, if you have followed all the steps correctly then, it should be easy. Moreover, this Android Port is not altogether a flawless port for Nintendo. You need to note that the Google Services will not run and even the Nvidia Shield applications. You also cannot use various popular apps like Snapchat, Google Duo or the Pokemon Go. The Joycons are also not compatible with this port as it is very inconsistent. But, amidst all of this, Youtube, Spotify does work with this Lineage OS 15.1 Android Port for the Nintendo Switch which is based on the Android Oreo.
Also, note that installing this Android Port will not cause any issues with the already installed OS on the Nintendo Switch. So, do not worry about anything related to it. Let us know in the comments if you liked this post and do share any issues faced during the installation process. Until the next post…Cheers!