Installing XCI over USB? (2024)

U

upfromtheskies

Well-Known Member

OP

Member

Level 7

Joined
Mar 21, 2015
Messages
293
Trophies
0
Age
33
XP
1,081
Country
Installing XCI over USB? (1)
  • Jul 24, 2019
  • #1

Is there any way to install XCI over USB? I've been told this can be done with nut and tinfoil, but I can't get nut to recognize my xci files. I've also tried a USB HDD, but tinfoil doesn't see my XCI files on it.

Hayato213

Newcomer

Member

Level 28

Joined
Dec 26, 2015
Messages
20,233
Trophies
1
XP
21,602
Country
Installing XCI over USB? (3)
  • Jul 24, 2019
  • #2

If you gonna install XCI may as well just install NSP instead, smaller size where it would save you storage space in the long run.

  • Installing XCI over USB? (4)

Reactions:

upfromtheskies

U

upfromtheskies

Well-Known Member

OP

Member

Level 7

Joined
Mar 21, 2015
Messages
293
Trophies
0
Age
33
XP
1,081
Country
Installing XCI over USB? (5)
  • Jul 24, 2019
  • #3

Hayato213 said:

If you gonna install XCI may as well just install NSP instead, smaller size where it would save you storage space in the long run.

The reason I'm using XCI is because I can play them mounted from the USB HDD connected to my Switch dock, but I would like to be able to install games to my SD card too and I don't want to keep two different versions of games.

Hayato213

Newcomer

Member

Level 28

Joined
Dec 26, 2015
Messages
20,233
Trophies
1
XP
21,602
Country
Installing XCI over USB? (7)
  • Jul 24, 2019
  • #4

The reason I'm using XCI is because I can play them mounted from the USB HDD connected to my Switch dock, but I would like to be able to install games to my SD card too and I don't want to keep two different versions of games.

Tinfoil does allow XCI installation but it require the acid patch, and I don't really understand the naming convention with nut server so I can't help you with that.

  • Installing XCI over USB? (8)

Reactions:

upfromtheskies

U

upfromtheskies

Well-Known Member

OP

Member

Level 7

Joined
Mar 21, 2015
Messages
293
Trophies
0
Age
33
XP
1,081
Country
Installing XCI over USB? (9)
  • Jul 24, 2019
  • #5

Hayato213 said:

Tinfoil does allow XCI installation but it require the acid patch, and I don't really understand the naming convention with nut server so I can't help you with that.

I think my tinfoil is patched because I can install XCI with it from google drive, but it won't see XCI on my external HDD. Do you know if they need to be in certain folders?

Hayato213

Newcomer

Member

Level 28

Joined
Dec 26, 2015
Messages
20,233
Trophies
1
XP
21,602
Country
Installing XCI over USB? (11)
  • Jul 24, 2019
  • #6

upfromtheskies said:

I think my tinfoil is patched because I can install XCI with it from google drive, but it won't see XCI on my external HDD. Do you know if they need to be in certain folders?

Sorry, not sure.

B

blawar

Developer

Developer

Level 14

Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
1,708
Trophies
1
Age
40
XP
4,311
Country
Installing XCI over USB? (12)
  • Jul 24, 2019
  • #7

upfromtheskies said:

I think my tinfoil is patched because I can install XCI with it from google drive, but it won't see XCI on my external HDD. Do you know if they need to be in certain folders?

put [titleid] in the file name (replace titleid wih the games title id)

  • Installing XCI over USB? (13)

Reactions:

upfromtheskies

E

EmulateLife

Well-Known Member

Member

Level 9

Joined
May 30, 2016
Messages
3,979
Trophies
0
Age
42
XP
1,889
Country
Installing XCI over USB? (14)
  • Jul 24, 2019
  • #8

Why don't you just install them from the external hard drive using SX OS while docked? You could always delete them later but they would stay on your external. Instead of messing with a computer that would be the easiest way. Just go to Album then Installer, and hit a to install.

  • Installing XCI over USB? (15)

Reactions:

upfromtheskies

yusuo

Well-Known Member

Member

Level 17

Joined
Oct 19, 2006
Messages
3,514
Trophies
2
Age
39
XP
6,264
Country
Installing XCI over USB? (17)
  • Jul 24, 2019
  • #9

upfromtheskies said:

Is there any way to install XCI over USB? I've been told this can be done with nut and tinfoil, but I can't get nut to recognize my xci files. I've also tried a USB HDD, but tinfoil doesn't see my XCI files on it.

Do what I do keep a copy of a few games on my sd in xci format, when you boot up SX with hdd attached, hdd always take priority and sd games are at the end. If not hdd sd games appear and it can be the xci on both so the same version

  • Installing XCI over USB? (18)

Reactions:

upfromtheskies

B

blawar

Developer

Developer

Level 14

Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
1,708
Trophies
1
Age
40
XP
4,311
Country
Installing XCI over USB? (19)
  • Jul 24, 2019
  • #10

upfromtheskies said:

I think my tinfoil is patched because I can install XCI with it from google drive, but it won't see XCI on my external HDD. Do you know if they need to be in certain folders?

Also add "usbfs" to the file browser and you can install any XCI no matter what it is named (as long as it ends in xci).

  • Installing XCI over USB? (20)

Reactions:

upfromtheskies

U

upfromtheskies

Well-Known Member

OP

Member

Level 7

Joined
Mar 21, 2015
Messages
293
Trophies
0
Age
33
XP
1,081
Country
Installing XCI over USB? (21)
  • Jul 24, 2019
  • #11

EmulateLife said:

Why don't you just install them from the external hard drive using SX OS while docked? You could always delete them later but they would stay on your external. Instead of messing with a computer that would be the easiest way. Just go to Album then Installer, and hit a to install.

I've been told to avoid doing this because they won't work with NSP updates and DLC when installed that way - but I've never tested it. If I do this with untrimmed XCI will it install the untrimmed part too?

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

blawar said:

Also add "usbfs" to the file browser and you can install any XCI no matter what it is named (as long as it ends in xci).

When I open USBFS in the file browser of tinfoil it's empty - even when I have my external HDD attached with XCI - do I need to make a folder called USBFS?

B

blawar

Developer

Developer

Level 14

Joined
Nov 21, 2016
Messages
1,708
Trophies
1
Age
40
XP
4,311
Country
Installing XCI over USB? (22)
  • Jul 24, 2019
  • #12

upfromtheskies said:

I've been told to avoid doing this because they won't work with NSP updates and DLC when installed that way - but I've never tested it. If I do this with untrimmed XCI will it install the untrimmed part too?

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

When I open USBFS in the file browser of tinfoil it's empty - even when I have my external HDD attached with XCI - do I need to make a folder called USBFS?

My apologies got mixed up with nut usb installation, just browse to the XCI using usbhdd in tinfoil. add usbhdd protocol if it isnt listed.

  • Installing XCI over USB? (23)

Reactions:

upfromtheskies

U

upfromtheskies

Well-Known Member

OP

Member

Level 7

Joined
Mar 21, 2015
Messages
293
Trophies
0
Age
33
XP
1,081
Country
Installing XCI over USB? (24)
  • Jul 24, 2019
  • #13

blawar said:

My apologies got mixed up with nut usb installation, just browse to the XCI using usbhdd in tinfoil. add usbhdd protocol if it isnt listed.

This fixed my problem with USB HDD install, I didn't realize I had to add usbhdd, and it wasn't appearing before in the file browser so I assumed tinfoil wasn't seeing my HDD. Thank you!

Btw - any way to get nut to recognize XCI? I've tried adding title ID to the file, but it won't see any XCI when I scan for files.

Installing XCI over USB? (2024)

FAQs

Does nut work with xci files? ›

Nut is a multi-purpose utility to organize, manage, and install Nintendo Switch files (NSP, NSZ, XCI, XCZ).

Read The Full Story ›
How to transfer an xci file to a SD card? ›

The solution would be to first convert the file from XCI to NSP, and then split that NSP into 4GiB chunks which can fit on the Micro SD card. Then, set the Archive attribute on the folder and files so that NSP install tools can read the converted software and install it.

Read The Full Story ›
What is the difference between NSP and XCI? ›

NSP is what the eShop uses to install a game or update. While XCI is a game cartridge dump. You can use either of them. But in both cases when you install game updates (which are always in NSP format because they're acquired through the eShop), you need to make sure the update matches the game's region.

Know More ›
What does XCI mean in roms? ›

An XCI file, also known as “NX Card Image” file, is a file format used for storing Nintendo Switch game cartridges' data; these files are typically used in context of Nintendo Switch homebrew software, backup utilities and custom firmware (CFW) installations; contain game's ROM data and can be loaded onto Nintendo ...

Find Out More ›
How do I transfer files directly to my SD card? ›

Move files through clean tab
  1. On your Android device, open Files by Google. . Learn how to view your storage space.
  2. Tap Menu Clean .
  3. On the "Move to SD Card" card, tap Select files.
  4. Select which files you would like to move.
  5. Tap Move to SD Card.

Tell Me More ›
What is a dumped XCI file? ›

In the blue corner, the burly and brawny XCI (short for "eXtended Cartridge Image"). This one's a digital dump of a physical game cartridge, like ripping open a present with reckless abandon (but hopefully without damaging the precious contents inside).

Read More ›
How do I transfer data from old SD card to new SD card? ›

Android 9, 10, 11
  1. Find and tap Settings → Storage → Internal shared storage.
  2. Find and tap Files.
  3. Touch and hold the folder or file that you want to transfer.
  4. Tap the menu icon (three vertical dots) → Move to.../Copy to...
  5. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), then tap SD Card.
May 27, 2024

See Details ›
Is XCI or NSP better for emulation? ›

Go for the XCI. But if speed and convenience are your jam, the NSP is your digital download destiny. Remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg (or should we say, the Korok seed?). There's a whole world of Switch emulation nuances to explore, but hopefully, this lighthearted guide has demystified the XCI vs.

See More ›
What does NSP mean for roms? ›

NSP stands for “Nintendo Submission Package.” It is file format used by Nintendo for distributing and installing games, updates and DLC (Downloadable Content) on Nintendo Switch system. NSP files are essentially containers that contain all necessary data and assets for particular game or content.

Read More ›
What is an NSP? ›

A business entity that provides or sells services such as network access and bandwidth by allowing access into its backbone infrastructure or access to its network access points (NAP), which consequently also means access to the Internet.

Find Out More ›

Can you use a USB drive on Nintendo Switch? ›

Short Answer: No, But There's More

While you can't directly use USB storage devices to store and play games, you can use them in specific scenarios, such as for transferring screenshots and videos to a computer via a USB cable.

Discover More Details ›
What is Xilinx XCI file? ›

Vivado Design Suite Xilinx Core Instance files (XCI) XCI format IP cores are native to the Vivado Design Suite and can be added to the design or project by customizing the IP core from the Xilinx IP catalog, or by using the File > Add Sources command to directly add the files.

See More ›
How do I load XCI files on Ryujinx? ›

Make sure you have an untrimmed XCI file of a recent game cartridge you dumped, or have compiled your dumped firmware into a ZIP file.
  1. Open Ryujinx. ...
  2. Now that Ryujinx is open, click Tools > Firmware > Install from XCI/ZIP. ...
  3. Using the Ryujinx window, navigate to the location of your dumped XCI file and click Open.
Jul 25, 2020

Read On ›

References

Top Articles
Yotam Ottolenghi’s dumpling recipes | Food
The BEST Thermomix Dinner Recipes
Raytrace Ruins Puzzle
Splunk If Command
Syrie Funeral Home Obituary
Att Net Uverse Registration
Martinez News-Gazette from Martinez, California
Hacx - The Full Version (v1.1)
Hart Outduels Holbrook for Antioch Speedway Win
Sport Cub S 2 RTF mit SAFE-Technologie
Craigslist Ms Pets
Krua Thai In Ravenna
Latest Posts
Roasted Red Cabbage – An Easy Recipe
Caesar Dressing Recipe (Easy, 6 Ingredients!) - Wholesome Yum
Article information

Author: Edmund Hettinger DC

Last Updated:

Views: 6302

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edmund Hettinger DC

Birthday: 1994-08-17

Address: 2033 Gerhold Pine, Port Jocelyn, VA 12101-5654

Phone: +8524399971620

Job: Central Manufacturing Supervisor

Hobby: Jogging, Metalworking, Tai chi, Shopping, Puzzles, Rock climbing, Crocheting

Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.