LineageOS 17.1 for the Nintendo Switch brings Android TV 10

Android 10 has just been ported to the Nintendo Switch. Thanks to the hard work of the SwitchRoot team, it is now possible to enjoy an Android 10 based LineageOS 17.1 port on your Nintendo Switch console. This version comes from the same team that originally ported Android 8.1 Oreo to the Nintendo Switch.

The Android 10 version is based on the LineageOS 17.1 version for the NVIDIA SHIELD TV and brings many improvements over the previous version, including a much needed deep sleep mode so that the operating system does not kill the duration of the battery life of your console. It’s also generally faster and more responsive than the previous version of Android 8.1 Oreo, according to the SwitchRoot team.

The unofficial port * LineageOS 17.1 for the Nintendo Switch offers the following features:

• Android 10 based on Lineage 17.1
• OTA updates.
• Full support for Joy-Con and Pro Controller with analog sticks and rails.
• Support for Hori Joy-Con.
• Deep sleep that can last for weeks.
• A version based on Android TV.
• Reworked fan profiles for quieter operation.
• Optimized dock support with resolution scaling.
• A rewritten charger driver that supports USB-PD and third-party docking stations.
• Optimized touch screen driver.
• Easier installation via the Hekate partition tool.
• Reworked and simpler power profiles.
• Much improved WiFi driver with less dropouts.
• Shield TV remote app support for easy docking station control.
• Reboot to take over the payload.
• Improved support for Bluetooth accessories.
• Support for autorotation.

The ROM comes in two versions: a tablet version that offers a standard Android user interface with support for all apps, and an Android TV version that supports both docked and non-docked use cases, but has more limited application support. The former is recommended if you primarily use your Nintendo Switch when it is not docked, while the latter will provide a much better docked experience.

Regarding bugs and broken things, the developer says games made for SHIELD (Half-Life 2, Tomb Raider, etc.) aren’t supported and you might notice a stutter with it. Bluetooth audio. Some apps may also not support the Joy-Con D-Pad.

To install this version you will need an RCM-usable Nintendo Switch, a USB-C cable, a high-speed microSD card (formatted in FAT32) and a PC. If you have already installed Android 8.1 Oreo version on your SD card, just make sure to back up your data before installing Android 10 version, as flashing this new ROM will erase all data. After installing the ROM itself, make sure to flash the Google Apps, Alarm Disable ZIP, and Xbox Joycon Layout ZIP package if you are using an Xbox controller.

If you want to try LineageOS 17.1 ROM with Android 10 on your Nintendo Switch, head over to the thread linked below where you will find all the information you need, including a step-by-step flashing guide. Kudos to Developer Statuses, Steel01, CTCaer, Langerhans, Ave and other contributors for their efforts to achieve this!

Download LineageOS 17.1 for Nintendo Switch

* To be clear, this is an “unofficial” version of LineageOS 17.1 as it is not built by the LineageOS team. However, it’s “official” in the sense that it’s made by the SwitchRoot team who originally ported Android to the Nintendo Switch.