The original V1 Switch (serial number XAW1, XAW4, XAW7 starting with 1) is unpatchable via software. You can find used unpatched units on eBay or Facebook Marketplace for $150–$250. This is often cheaper than a modchip installation.
Standard YouTube often breaks on Custom Firmware (CFW) because it requires a connection to Nintendo servers, which modded users often block to avoid a system ban .
A patched Switch, on the other hand, blocks this hardware entry point. While software exploits may appear temporarily, Nintendo usually patches them quickly. The hardware exploit on unpatched units is permanent and cannot be blocked by Nintendo. youtube patched nintendo switch
For a "patched" or modded Nintendo Switch running custom firmware (CFW), patched versions of the YouTube app
: Newer consoles (V2, Lite, OLED) are "patched" and cannot be soft-modded. They require a hardware modchip (like HWFLY) to run custom firmware. The original V1 Switch (serial number XAW1, XAW4,
: This includes all Nintendo Switch Lite, Switch OLED, and "V2" (Mariko) models with improved battery life. These cannot be soft-modded. How to Check Is My Switch Patched?
For several months, this was the software-based exploit for patched Switch units. If you bought a Switch after July 2018 (hardware patched against Fusée Gelée), you couldn't run custom firmware without a modchip—unless you used YouTube. Standard YouTube often breaks on Custom Firmware (CFW)
Here is how it worked: