The same people who originally brought Android to the Nintendo Switch, the Switchroot team, are back with an Android 10 update, according to XDA Developers. Although the mod is only available for some Switch models, it allows users who install it to run Google Play Store apps, such as games, emulators and streaming services like Netflix and Twitch.
The update also brings a little more polish to the mod, allowing Joy-Con joysticks to function as suitable analog joysticks instead of eight-way D-pads, support for deep sleep that developers say “can last for weeks” , on-the-air updates and better Wi-Fi support that promises less disconnections.
Of course, the real reason for adding Android to a switch is that you can play games that they are not Switch games, such as those that can be played by Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and PSP emulators on the Play Store. You can see how they work on the Switch in the video below. Of course, you can also get other games from the Play Store, like Impact Genshin or apps like Spotify. But you’re also not giving up on playing Switch games, since Android is installed on a microSD card instead of being transferred to the console itself.
It is important to note that Android on the switch is extraordinarily unofficial. The LineageOS team is not officially supporting the port, and is more or less a modified version of the operating system that was made for Nvidia’s TV Shield. The exploit to make Android run also only works on Switches that came before Nintendo’s chipset and battery updates, which completely excludes Switch Lite. Even if you have one of the modifiable Switches, which you can check with an online tool, some of the guides on how to enter the Android bootloader say that it is possible to lock your Switch if you make a mistake. Extreme caution is recommended.
There are also caveats, such as the fact that games built for Nvidia Shield do not work, according to the XDA forum post that acts as a guide on how to install the mod. However, the list of bummers is much shorter than the last time, when the Android version was LineageOS 15.1, which was based on Android 8.1 Oreo. The new version is based on LineageOS 17.1, which is a build of Android 10.
It is good to see that this Switch mod has gained a little attention and has been improved over the years. The changelog below includes a solid number of updates, so it’s worth checking if you’re running an earlier version.
* Android 10 based on Lineage 17.1
* OTA updates.
* Full support for Joy-Con and Pro Controller with analog controls and rails.
* Hori Joy-Con support.
* Deep sleep that can last for weeks.
* A version based on Android TV.
* Reworked fan profiles for quieter operation.
* Optimized dock support with resolution scale.
* A rewritten charger driver with support for USB-PD and third-party docks.
* Optimized touch screen driver.
* Easier installation via the hekate partition tool.
* Energy profiles reworked and simpler.
* Much improved WiFi driver with fewer interruptions.
* Shield TV remote app support for easy coupled control.
* Reboot to support payload.
* Better support for Bluetooth accessories.
* Automatic rotation support.