How to Dump Prod.keys and Firmware | Dump and Install Nintendo Switch Prod.keys and Firmware

Dumping prod.keys from your own Nintendo Switch is crucial for being safe against any legal issues. Also, dumping and installing of prod.keys and firmware should be done properly to enjoy lag-free and smooth performance in Nintendo Switch Emulators.

Are you setting up a Nintendo Switch emulator like Yuzu or Ryujinx?

You’ll need two important things: your prod.keys and your Switch firmware.

This guide explains how to dump your own prod.keys and firmware from your Nintendo Switch legally and how to install them into an emulator to start playing.

Let’s dive in!

What Are Prod.keys and Why Are They Needed for Switch Emulation?

Prod.keys are encryption keys extracted from your own Nintendo Switch. They are essential because they allow emulators to decrypt and run Nintendo Switch games and firmware files.

Prod.keys are also called production keys or prod keys.

Without valid prod.keys, Yuzu, Ryujinx, and other emulators cannot boot games.

Similarly, the Nintendo Switch firmware dump is needed to provide system files that some games or emulator functions rely on.

Requirements Before You Begin

Here are the list of things that are required to dump and install any Nintendo Switch prod keys:

• A Nintendo Switch that can boot into RCM Mode (Recovery Mode).
• A Switch capable of running custom firmware (CFW) like Atmosphère.
• A microSD card (formatted to FAT32).
• A USB-C cable to connect your Switch to your PC.
• Tools: Lockpick_RCM, TegraExplorer, and a payload injector (e.g., TegraRcmGUI).

⚠️ Warning: Dumping keys from a Switch you don’t own or downloading them online is illegal. Always dump your own keys.

How to Dump Prod.keys

Follow these steps carefully to dump the Nintendo Switch prod.keys

1. Prepare Your MicroSD Card

• Insert the microSD card into your PC.
• Download and place the Atmosphère CFW files on it.
• Create a folder named switch if it doesn’t already exist.

2. Boot the Switch into RCM Mode

• Power off your Switch.
• Insert an RCM jig into the right Joy-Con rail.
• Hold Volume Up and tap Power — the screen will stay black.
• Connect your Switch to your PC via USB.

3. Inject the Lockpick_RCM Payload

• Download Lockpick_RCM from its official GitHub.
• Open TegraRcmGUI (or a similar tool).
• Inject the Lockpick_RCM.bin payload.

4. Dump Your Keys

• After booting Lockpick_RCM, navigate through the menu and select “Dump from sysNAND”.
• The tool will dump your keys automatically.
• Find your keys saved at /switch/prod.keys on your SD card.

✅ Done! You now have your prod.keys.

How to Dump Nintendo Switch Firmware

You can dump Nintendo Switch Firmware following the steps below.

After you have the keys, now dump the system firmware:

1. Download TegraExplorer

• Get TegraExplorer from its official GitHub page.

2. Inject TegraExplorer Payload

• Boot your Switch into RCM Mode again (same as before).
• Inject the TegraExplorer.bin payload.

3. Dump the Firmware

• In TegraExplorer, select “Dump Installed NAND Firmware”.
• It will save your firmware files (as .nca, .nsp formats) onto the SD card inside a Firmware/ folder.

✅ Now you have your Switch firmware dumped!

How to Install Prod.keys and Firmware in Yuzu and Ryujinx

While dumping of prod.keys is very important so is installing of prod.keys

After dumping the necessary files, here’s how to install them up in your emulator:

Related: Best Nintendo Switch Emulators for All Devices

1. Installing Prod.keys in Yuzu Emulator

• Open Yuzu.
• Go to File > Open yuzu Folder.
• Navigate to the keys/ folder.
• Paste your prod.keys (and title.keys if you have them) into this folder.

Tip: If the keys folder doesn’t exist, create it manually.

2. Installing Prod.keys in Ryujinx Emulator

• Open Ryujinx.
• Go to File > Open Ryujinx Folder.
• Enter the system/ directory.
• Paste your prod.keys file into the system/ folder.

3. Installing Firmware in Yuzu

• In Yuzu:
  • Go to File > Install Files to NAND.
  • Select your dumped firmware .nsp file.
  • Yuzu will install the system firmware files needed.

4. Installing Firmware in Ryujinx

• In Ryujinx:
  • Go to Tools > Install Firmware > Install from XCI or ZIP.
  • Select the dumped firmware file (if it’s in .nsp or compressed format).
  • Confirm installation.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Issue	Solution
Emulator says “missing keys”	Ensure prod.keys are in the right folder and not corrupted.
Games won’t boot	Check if your firmware is properly installed and up to date.
Can’t get into RCM	Make sure your Switch is unpatched; patched units need hardware mods.

Final Thoughts

Dumping your own Nintendo Switch prod.keys and firmware is crucial for properly using Yuzu or Ryujinx.
Always use your own device to legally extract these files and support emulator development by following the correct procedures.

With your keys and firmware set up correctly, you’re ready to enjoy your Switch library on PC with higher resolutions, mods, and save backups!

FAQ

Can I use someone else’s prod.keys?

No, it’s illegal. Always use your own keys.

Do I need to update prod.keys every time the Switch firmware updates?

Yes. New games sometimes require newer keys. Redump if needed.

Will dumping firmware or keys ban me online?

If you stay offline while using CFW and homebrew, risks are minimal, but there is always some risk.