Installing JKSV correctly takes only a few minutes if your Switch 1 is already running Atmosphère. This step-by-step guide covers downloading the current 12/02/2025 build, verifying the file, placing it in the right folder, and launching it the recommended way so you avoid the most common first-run problems.
What you need before you start
You need a Nintendo Switch 1 with Atmosphère custom firmware already set up and working. JKSV has no PC, mobile, or Switch 2 version, and it cannot run without CFW. You also need a way to access your microSD card from a PC, either by removing the card or by using a file transfer tool you already trust.
Make sure you have enough free space on the microSD card for the JKSV.nro file itself, which is 10,130,471 bytes, plus room for backups. Backups are written to the /JKSV/ folder at the root of the SD card, organised by game, so a nearly full card will cause problems later even if installation succeeds.
Download JKSV from a trusted channel
Go to the download page on this site and choose your channel. The main channel is the GitHub direct link at https://jksv.net/go/jksv-github , which points to the developer J-D-K’s GitHub release. The secondary channel is the Mirror (Terabox) at https://jksv.net/go/JKSV , which is a mirror hosted by this site. GitHub is the developer’s official source, so prefer it when you can.
The file you should receive is named JKSV.nro. If the downloaded file has any other name or extension, do not install it until you understand why. The current release tag is 12/02/2025. Older guides that refer to a version number like v1.0 are describing the pre-rewrite series and do not apply to the current build.
Verify the file before you copy it
Verifying the SHA-256 hash is the best way to confirm the file was not corrupted or altered in transit. The SHA-256 for the current JKSV.nro is a2b7f6372a4b81f3c3194aa6f96f2824bdea853b9a8ebf8c4a008d0d865a0cbf. On Windows you can check this with a hash tool or with the built-in certutil command. On Mac or Linux, use the standard SHA-256 command for your system.
If the hash does not match, delete the file and download again from the GitHub channel. Do not try to use a file that fails verification, because a corrupted homebrew file can crash on launch or behave unpredictably. This one check takes less than a minute and rules out a whole class of problems.
Copy JKSV to the correct path
JKSV must live at /switch/JKSV/JKSV.nro on your microSD card. That means there is a folder called JKSV inside the switch folder at the root of the card, and the .nro file sits directly inside that folder. Do not place the file at /switch/JKSV.nro or nest it an extra folder deep, because the Homebrew Menu will not list it correctly.
- Shut down the console or use your usual safe method before removing the microSD card.
- Create the folder /switch/JKSV/ if it does not already exist.
- Copy JKSV.nro into that folder and confirm the final path is /switch/JKSV/JKSV.nro.
- Safely eject the card, reinsert it, and boot back into Atmosphère.
If you previously used an older JKSV build, replacing the .nro in the same location is all you need to do. Your existing backups in /JKSV/ and your configuration in sd:/config/JKSV/ are stored separately and are not removed by replacing the program file.
Launch JKSV the recommended way
The recommended launch method is Title Override: hold R while launching a game to open the Homebrew Menu with full memory access, then select JKSV. JKSV can also run in applet mode, but the developer warns that applet mode may behave abnormally because of memory limits. If JKSV crashes or freezes on your first launch, try Title Override before you assume the installation is broken.
Once JKSV opens, you should see your users and titles listed. The title cache refreshes automatically when needed, so a newly installed game should appear without manual steps. From here you are ready to make your first backup.
First checks if JKSV does not appear
If JKSV does not appear in the Homebrew Menu, re-check the exact path and file name first. A single extra folder level is the most common cause. Also confirm you booted into Atmosphère and not into the stock system, because homebrew does not appear in the stock environment. Our dedicated troubleshooting guide covers this in more detail.
Next steps and related guides
This guide is part of our hub collection. Before you start, get the current build from the download page. You may also find these guides useful: how to back up a single game save and fix JKSV not showing in the Homebrew Menu.
JKSV is JK’s Save Manager by developer J-D-K, released under GPL-3.0 for Nintendo Switch 1 with Atmosphère. The current release is the date-based tag 12/02/2025. Always keep a second copy of important backups on your PC or in cloud storage, and test a restore on a non-critical save before you rely on a backup for a game you care about.