External HDD

[aztheroth]

Have a question. Can I connect an external hdd to the usb port on the dock station and load games from there?

If so, does it need to be formatted on exFat? Does it matters if the micro sd has games also or will it read onky one? Last thing... does the external hdd needs the same files as on the sx card or just the xci files?
Thanks

 

[imprezgc8]

That is the preferred way to install from USB. It can be formatted fat32 or exFAT. As a note exFAT is prone to corruption with the Switch. It's not a huge deal as long as you make backups once in a while and always make sure to close you apps correctly, but just wanted to mention it. If you use fat32 you will have to split some of your games that are over 4gb. It should read all locations that it detects. I would also recommend using the SX Installer v1.2, but the default installer via the Album works also.

The drive does not need all the SX files. You just need to make sure the folder structure is correct. Here are some:

• /sxos/games
• /sxos/xci
• /sxos/nsp
• /sxos/updates
• /sxos/dlc
• /sxos
• /switch/games
• /switch/xci
• /switch/nsp
• /switch/updates
• /switch/dlc
• /switch

 

[Noms]

Hi - I'll try to help - this is how I use SX OS

An external hdd can be connected in exFat ( so large games don't have to be split)

When you are in CFW selecting ALBUM will list all xci and nsp titles - whether they are on sd or hdd.

If you select an xci file it will be loaded to the home screen where you have to click it again to play the game.

If you select an nsp file which has already been installed to the sd card the game will load.
If the nsp file has not been installed it will give you the option to install it to the sd.

I believe xci files can also be installed but I have never tried it - I'm happy to keep my nsp installs on sd and xci on hdd. Only downside of course is that xci games can only be played in docked mode.

You do not need the licence and boot files on the hdd - they will be read from the sd card

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I said at the start - this is how I use SX OS.
Maybe others do things a different way but this works fine for me cos I only ever play games in docked mode.

Hope this helps

 

[aztheroth]

Thanks guys. I will buy a new hdd to do it that way. I appreciate all the comments

 

[loceysgw]

Hi - I'll try to help - this is how I use SX OS

An external hdd can be connected in exFat ( so large games don't have to be split)

When you are in CFW selecting ALBUM will list all xci and nsp titles - whether they are on sd or hdd.

If you select an xci file it will be loaded to the home screen where you have to click it again to play the game.

If you select an nsp file which has already been installed to the sd card the game will load.
If the nsp file has not been installed it will give you the option to install it to the sd.

I believe xci files can also be installed but I have never tried it - I'm happy to keep my nsp installs on sd and xci on hdd. Only downside of course is that xci games can only be played in docked mode.

You do not need the licence and boot files on the hdd - they will be read from the sd card

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I said at the start - this is how I use SX OS.
Maybe others do things a different way but this works fine for me cos I only ever play games in docked mode.

Hope this helps

Can you transfer your sd cards .nsp files to your Hard drive and play from there. Can you install .nsp files onto the HD?

 

[Ca5pet]

If I put in 200 games in the external hdd, all 200 games will appear in the "album"?

How do you guys manage and find the game you wanted to from the list of 200?

 

[Safeabz]

Hi mate my switch doesn't recognise can you please help? I formatted to exFAT format. Xci games. If they're any settings ok sx os boot menu
Any chance someone can upload view pictures what the hard drive menu looks like I have tried connecting but some reason nothing showing up it's SX OS 2.9.2