uLaunch is an open-source project that aims to replace the Nintendo Switch's HOME menu (qlaunch) with a custom. homebrew-oriented one.
Unlike other HOME menu extensions or patches, uLaunch is a complete reimplementation that is 100% open-source. It also enhances the console's functionality by taking over eShop and Parental control applets.
For those who are interested in the UI design, uLaunch, like Goldleaf, is a great example of how powerful Plutonium libraries can create beautiful UIs.
Disclaimer
Ban risks - While no bans have been reported related to using uLaunch, replacing the retail HOME menu's functionality is never a completely safe idea, so always use it at your own risk.
Installing uLaunch
Download the latest release ZIP (Note: this project is meant to be used with Atmosphere, so use it with different CFWs at your own risk).
Copy everything inside the ZIP to the root of your SD card.
- If you have never used uLaunch or any kind of HOME menu replacement (NXThemes don't count) you wouldn't need to overwrite any files.
- You don't need to remove your normal HOME menu themes (NXThemes) in order to install uLaunch. Those themes are at a
romfsdir insidecontents/0100000000001000, while uLaunch's only file in that folder isexefs.nsp.
Launch your CFW (using emuMMC or sysMMC shouldn't make a difference) and enjoy your custom, new HOME menu.
Removing uLaunch
Important: Make sure you don't remove anything else but the stuff mentioned here, in order to avoid any potential trouble.
If you'd like to keep your custom themes, menu entries, config, etc. then just remove contents/0100000000001000/exefs.nsp inside Atmosphere's directory. If you happen to reinstall uLaunch later following the steps mentioned above, your previous themes, config, etc. you will still preserve your themes, config, etc. prior to the removal.
If you'd like to remove everything, then also remove the ulaunch folder on the root of the SD card.
(Note: if you use any HOME menu modification - like NXThemes - make sure you do not delete the entire 0100000000001000 folder, just the exefs.nsp file.)
The latest releases of uLaunch include the uViewer tool that allows you to create custom forwarders (e.g. RetroArch ones).
You can find themes for uLaunch on the r/uLaunchThemes subreddit.
For more detailed information on the project, including themeing, check out its wiki.
FAQ
Q. uLaunch gives me a blackscreen. How can I fix it?
- Make sure you're using the latest release of uLaunch.
- If the last uLaunch release is quite old - that is, new firmware updates or new Atmosphere versions have been released - then you might need to wait for a new release to be dropped, and in the meantime you might be able to use testing builds from the Discord server.
- uLaunch's blackscreens mighe also be caused due to invalid JSON files. The JSONs might have been corrupted (due to ExFAT, other homebrews...) so try deleting them.
