TegraRcmGUI
~5 min read · Third-party project overview
TegraRcmGUI (by eliboa) is a small Windows GUI for sending .bin payloads (Hekate, fusee, etc.) to a Switch in RCM mode over USB. It's the first Windows app most CFW users touch.
What you need
- An RCM-vulnerable Switch (all Erista + some early Mariko). Switch 2 / Lite / OLED / late Mariko are patched.
- An RCM jig (the small metal short-pin tool).
- A USB-C cable that supports data.
- A Windows PC.
Setup steps
- Download
TegraRcmGUI_vX.X.X_installer.msi from GitHub releases and run it.
- On first launch, click "Install Driver" — installs the APX device driver (libusbK).
- Power the Switch fully off.
- Detach the right Joy-Con and slot the jig into the top of the right rail.
- Hold Volume(+) and press Power. The screen stays black — that's RCM.
- Connect to the PC over USB-C. TegraRcmGUI shows "RCM OK" at the top.
- Switch to "Inject payload", pick
hekate_ctcaer_X.X.X.bin or similar — it sends automatically.
Useful options
- Auto inject — fire payload the instant RCM is detected.
- Favorites — store multiple payloads for one-click send.
- Run on startup — auto-launch on Windows login.
Heads up: without the driver, you'll be stuck on "RCM ?" forever. If Device Manager shows "APX" under "Other devices", re-click TegraRcmGUI's "Install Driver" button.
Relation to the secretchat.tel loader
Our loader requires Atmosphère, and TegraRcmGUI is one common way to get Atmosphère running (Erista / early Mariko). For late Mariko / OLED / Lite where RCM is patched out, you'll need a different Atmosphère entry — typically a modchip (Picofly etc.). As long as Atmosphère is running, the loader works on any console.
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