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How to set up your Switch loader

~5 minutes · You need: Switch · SD card · PC or phone

Once your key is delivered, getting it onto your Switch is just two files on your SD card. This guide walks through every step.

Before you start
・Use SysMMC (stock firmware) only — EmuMMC will get you banned.
・No DNS / VPN / Proxy — they break activation.
・One key = one Switch (HWID-bound). To move to another console, use the free one-time HWID reset in your account.

What you need

Nintendo Switch (V1 / V2 / OLED / Lite all supported)
microSD card (SanDisk or Samsung, 32 GB+)
A way to read the SD on PC/phone (card reader)
Your key from secretchat.tel (e.g. Gw-ABCDEF-XYZ123)

Step 1 · Download hbmenu.nro

1Mount your SD card

Pop the SD card into a card reader connected to your PC or phone.

2Download hbmenu.nro

Save this file directly:

https://secretchat.tel/shop/loader/hbmenu.nro

3Drop it at the SD root

Place hbmenu.nro at the very top of the SD card — not inside any folder.

SD card /
├── Nintendo/
├── atmosphere/
└── hbmenu.nro    ← here

Step 2 · Create License.txt

1New text file at SD root

Create License.txt in the same place as hbmenu.nro. Notepad / TextEdit / any text app works.

2Paste your key — single line, no quotes

Gw-ABCDEF-XYZ123

Watch case. Don't add quotes or spaces.

3Eject and reinsert into Switch

Optional: custom name
Drop customName.txt at the SD root with the in-game name you want.

Step 3 · Launch from Switch

1Switch home → Album

Normally Album shows screenshots — with hbmenu.nro on the SD, it shows the Loader menu instead.

2Pick your user (Mii)

3Select "Apex"

The loader auto-validates your key and launches the target game. First boot can take a few seconds.

First launch = clock starts
Your key's validity (1 week / 1 month) begins on first launch, not at purchase. You can stockpile keys without burning days.

Menu navigation

To switch in-game menus: B button or ← left key.

Troubleshooting

"Loader" doesn't appear → confirm hbmenu.nro is at the SD root.
Auth error → check License.txt has no spaces / quotes / extra chars.
HWID error → key already activated on a different console → use the free HWID reset in your account.
Still stuck → ping support on Telegram with your Order ID.

No key yet?

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How to set up your Switch loader

What you need

Step 1 · Download hbmenu.nro

Step 2 · Create License.txt

Step 3 · Launch from Switch

Menu navigation

Troubleshooting

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