You can now run an Android port on the Nintendo Switch

Thanks to the smart folks over at XDA Developers, you can now use your Nintendo Switch as an Android device.

The hard work put in by XDA Senior Member langer hans and XDA Junior Member bylaws means that any hackable Nintendo Switch can now boot LineageOS 15.1 directly from the SD card.

Generally, any Switch sold prior to summer 2018 should be hackable. If you want to double check before you throw yourself into the deep end, you can follow the guide here to see if your Switch has been patched (and is therefore unhackable) or not.

As XDA point out, LineageOS 5.1 on the Switch has essentially all the same features as LineageOS. There’s the basic Android features, support for Google services, and even support for native Nvidia Shield apps.

Joy-Cons and the Switch Pro Controller should still work seamlessly and a keyboard and mouse will work when the console’s docked.

Below is a list from XDA, detailing what to expect:

• LineageOS 15.1 – Android 8.1 Oreo
• Based on the Nvidia Shield TV trees
• TWRP pre-installed
• CPU and GPU performance profiles
• Works in handheld and docked mode
• Audio is supported
• Joycons connect via Bluetooth, also in handheld mode

You should exercise caution when installing Android on your Switch. You’ll need to write an image to your SD card that matches its size, which will wipe all of the data stored on it in the process.

You can find a list of things that don’t work with LineageOS 15.1 below:

• Deep sleep, so battery life is not great
• Auto rotation
• Screen off in dock
• Charging is not detected, but console still charges
• Some apps don’t handle joycon inputs correctly
• The touchscreen sometimes detects touches even when your finger is just floating over the screen

However, XDA say that installing Android on your Switch won’t touch the main OS installed, so you don’t need to worry too much about accidentally breaking anything.

If you’re interested in getting an Android-y Switch for yourself, you can check out the XDA post by following the link here.

Article image source: XDA Developers.