How to manage system modules

Certain system modules you may rarely use and are good to keep disabled by default and only start when needed. Like an FTP module.

System modules are loaded on startup when the file boot2.flag is present in the module's flags folder, e.g., /atmosphere/contents/<program_id>/flags/boot2.flag (Atmosphère documentation). This is an empty file that's only there to indicate to Atmosphère to load the system module during the boot2 process (turning on)

Manage manually: You can manually delete or create the file boot2.flag to disable or enable mods from being loaded by Atmosphère.

Manage with homebrew: Here are 2 tools you can use to manage the system modules you've added:

• Teslas overlay with Sysmodules
• SimpleModManager - Homebrew

Tesla overlay

This option uses a Tesla overlay and a module made for this purpose. It deletes and creates the boot2.flag file to disable and enable the system modules to be loaded or not when the system is turned on (boot).

You need

• Tesla overlay - See the Tesla overlay guide page to set up if needed
• Sysmodules / ovlSysmodule - See Tesla overlay page for link

Steps

1. Open up the Tesla menu with your configured key combo (default: L - d-pad down - R3)
2. Navigate to Sysmodules and select with A
3. Select the module of choice and toggle auto start with Y or start the module with A
4. When disabling a module, restart afterwards, and it will no longer be loaded

SimpleModManager

The homebrew SimpleModManager is a simple homebrew that copies and deletes files. It will always keep a copy in the configured mods folder and delete files from the configured install-mods folder to disable the mods or system module.

You need

• SimpleModManager - Get SimpleModManager.nro from its GitHub

Steps

1. Move SimpleModManager.nro to your /switch/ folder on your SD card.
2. Create a folder named config in the root of your SD card.
3. Inside of your /config/ folder, create a folder named SimpleModManager.
4. Inside of the newly created SimpleModManager folder, create a file named parameters.ini and paste the following inside:

   # This is a config file
   
   # folder where mods are stored
   stored-mods-base-folder = /mods/
   use-gui = 1
   last-preset-used = default
   
   
   ########################################
   # preset that can be changed in the app
   preset = default
   
   # base folder where mods are installed
   install-mods-base-folder = /atmosphere/contents/
   ########################################
   
   
   ########################################
   # preset that can be changed in the app
   preset = sxos
   
   # base folder where mods are installed
   install-mods-base-folder = /sxos/titles/
   ########################################
   
   
   ########################################
   # preset that can be changed in the app
   preset = root
   
   # base folder where mods are installed
   install-mods-base-folder = /
   ########################################
   
   
   # DO NOT TOUCH THIS : used to recognize the last version of the program config
   last-program-version = 2.0.4
   

5. Create a folder named mods in the root of your SD card.
6. Inside of the /mods/ folder, create a folder named SysModules.
7. Download your desired sysmodule and extract everything EXCEPT the atmosphere folder into the root of your SD card.
8. Enter the /atmosphere/contents/ folder inside of the archive file and extract the `XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX` folder to your /mods/SysModules/ folder on your SD card.
9. Enter the homebrew menu on your Switch and enter SimpleModManager.
10. Select SysModules and press x to enable your desired sysmodule.
11. Now you must restart your switch, and your sysmodule should be working.
    • If you wish to disable the sysmodule, then enter SimpleModManager and click x to disable the mod.

📝 If you are unable to disable a sysmodule due to your Switch crashing, then enter your /atmosphere/contents/ folder on your SD card and delete the folders inside.

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