Is nxnative legal and safe?
nxnative is open-source code that contains no games, keys or Nintendo software. Whether you may use it depends on your own game files and where you live. Here is what the projects themselves say, and what to avoid.
What the projects say
- nxnative: nothing from any game is in the repository, and the project is not affiliated with Nintendo or any game publisher.
- MacNativeGames: you must own the game; use only a copy you bought and keys and system files dumped from your own Switch. The app you build contains the game, so it is for your own use only. Do not share it.
What this site will not do
This guide does not host, link to or explain how to obtain game files, keys, firmware or ready-made apps. Requests for those will not be answered.
Staying safe
- Build it yourself. The code is public on GitHub; building from it means you know what is in your app.
- Do not download ready-made IPAs. They contain someone else’s game files and may contain anything else.
- Use a sideloading tool you trust. AltStore, Sideloadly and LiveContainer are the ones the README names.
- Back up your saves. Reinstalling can give the app a new data folder; copy
save/first.
Legal and safety questions
Is nxnative legal?
The nxnative code is open source under MIT and contains nothing from any game. Whether using it is legal depends on where you live and on how you obtained your game files and keys. The projects say to use only games you bought and keys from your own Switch. This site is not legal advice.
Can I share the app I built?
No. The app contains the game. MacNativeGames says plainly that the app you build is for your own use only and must not be shared.
Is nxnative affiliated with Nintendo?
No. The project states it is not affiliated with Nintendo or any game publisher.
Is it safe to install?
You build the app yourself from public source code, so you can read what it does. Avoid downloading ready-made IPAs from other people: they contain someone else’s game files and you cannot check what else is inside.
Back to the nxnative guide.