Linkalho Switch

Linkalho
General
Author	rdmrocha
Type	Utilities
Version	2.0.1
License	GPL-3.0
Last Updated	2022/10/22
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Linkalho is an homebrew app that will link NNID accounts offline. It links (or unlinks) existing accounts so you won't lose your saves. This app does not create new accounts. If you create a new account and want to link it, just re-run the app.

Installation

Place the .nro file in the /switch/linkalho folder of your SD card.

Go to the homebrew app and run Linkalho.

Reboot to payload

After completing the selected operation, Linkalho will reboot to an existing payload if:

• the console hardware is Erista, and
• the user places a payload file in the application's root (/switch/linkalho/reboot.bin).

Reboot to payload is not supported on Mariko hardware.

User guide

Why do I need this app

If you never had issues with games/apps failing to launch until you link your Switch user account and you never experienced issues with certain titles stuck in "Updating game data" or certain official emulators presenting you with nothing else but a black screen instead of the game selection, then you don't need to use this homebrew.

How to use

Link selected accounts

• Will link all selected accounts from the ones present on the console.
• If any of the existing accounts is already linked, it will be re-linked (regardless of the NNIDs being officially linked or not).
• This operation creates a backup in /switch/linkalho/backups

Unlink selected accounts

• Will remove NNID linking from any of the selected accounts on the console regardless of the NNIDs being officially linked or not.
• This operation creates a backup in /switch/linkalho/backups

Restore backup

• Restores any previous state from a backup file.
• The file must be placed in /switch/linkalho/restore/restore.zip. If not present, the UI will notify the user.
• This operation creates a backup in /switch/linkalho/backups

Create manual backup

• Will create a backup in /switch/linkalho/backups.
• All linking and unlinking operations will automatically produce a backup before making changes.
• You should only use this option if you want to manually create a backup.

Select country for linked accounts

• Allows the user to customize the country that will be injected into the linked account.
• This has impact in some software by showing the appropriate flag (like in mk8).

Select accounts to link/unlink

• Allows the user to pick which accounts are going to be linked/unlinked. It defaults to all.
• If no accounts are selected and the user tries to perform a link or unlink operation, the application will show an error.

FAQ

Q. Why can't I navigate the app via touchscreen or using the thumbs ticks?

This is a very simple and straightforward app that most users will only use once or twice. Unless Borealis developers implement this natively, there are no plans for me to extend their feature set.

Q. Can I go online with a fake/generated linked account?

No! You have a hacked switch. Online is always a risk.

Q. Can this app do "place whatever question here"?

You can start by reading the previous section. This app will allow you to link/unlink a fake/generated NNID to your user accounts without the need for an internet connection, and that's it. If you still fail to understand what this is and its purpose, it's highly likely that you simply don't need this app. Worry not: if you ever need it, you'll know it.

Screenshots

Changelog

v2.0.1 2022/10/22

• v2.0.1 fixes critical bug on some instances of account id extraction.
• Introducing the ability for the user to select which accounts will be linked/unlinked.
• Introducing the ability for the user to select which country will be injected into the linked profile.
• Generators now feed from system settings to get locale and timezone settings instead of injecting hard-coded ones.
• Overall code refactor.

v1.0.6 2021/10/29

• Reboot more gently on mariko thanks to @carcaschoi.
• Minor text tweaks.

v1.0.5 2021/03/21

• Erista/Mariko detection. If a non Erista is found, reboot to payload is disabled.
• Reworked reboot to payload: now requires explicit reboot.bin in linkalho folder. If the file is found, it will attempt to reboot to that payload (Erista only).
• Updated Borealis library to latest version.

v1.0.4 2020/12/18

• Added support for firmware 11.0.0.

v1.0.3 2020/09/25

• Fixed mounting issue for manual backup creation.

v1.0.2 2020/09/23

• Added Create manual backup option.
• Added LED visual confirmations.
• Added support for reboot to payload. (more info here).
• Code refactor.

Credits

• devkitPro for the toolchain.
• natinusala (lib borealis) for the amazing library that mimicks the Switch's original UI and UX.
• sebastiandev (zipper wrapper for minizip) for their nice wrapper to the minizip.
• Kronos2308 for the help in the initial phases of research.
• SciresM for his "reboot to payload" code and HamletDuFromage for the code contributions.
• target for the icon, the beta testing and for supplying crucial files that helped in the creation of the generators.
• boredomisacrime for the beta testing.

External links

• GitHub - https://github.com/rdmrocha/linkalho
• GBAtemp - https://gbatemp.net/threads/linkalho-link-your-nintendo-account-offline.573676/