3 min read
Ghost eShop

Tinfoil Guide: Installation, Configuration & Troubleshooting

Given the many issues users face with Tinfoil, this comprehensive guide helps you install, configure, and use Tinfoil properly on firmware 21+, 20+, and below.

Hello everyone 👋

In light of the number of users experiencing issues with Tinfoil, we’re addressing the different ways to resolve the difficulties you may encounter with this homebrew.

Installation and Up-to-Date Version

First, make sure you have the latest version of Tinfoil and that it’s properly installed:

Once installed, verify that the keys.txt file is present at the following location:

sdmc:/switch/tinfoil/keys.txt

If you don’t have a keys.txt or if it’s incorrect, you can use this key file:

Without a correct keys.txt, you’ll encounter the “Failed to open cnmt” error on some games, because Tinfoil lacks the necessary keys (such as masterkey 20).

Metadata (Icons, Names, Descriptions)

To display game images, names, and descriptions correctly in Tinfoil, we’ve set up our own metadata.

  1. First configure your shops in Tinfoil
  2. Restart Tinfoil once everything is configured
  3. If the source isn’t already present, add it:
Protocol: https
Host: nx-meta.nlib.cc
Path: /
Title: Custom NX DB
Enabled: Yes

This source is normally included by default in shops like Ghost eShop PRO.

  1. Restart Tinfoil so it loads the metadata
  2. Wait about 5 minutes for Tinfoil to cache the icons for your game list
  3. Restart Tinfoil again. You’ll now see all game icons and names

Firmware v21 and Above: Tinfoil Won’t Start

Tinfoil has not been recompiled for firmware v21+, so it doesn’t work directly. You have two options:

We recommend switching to firmware 20.5.0 using this tutorial:

Option 2: Modify the package3 File

For those who don’t want to downgrade, you can modify the package3 file located here:

sdmc:/atmosphere/package3

Note: the package3 workaround only works with the latest Atmosphere release (1.10.2). See Atmosphere 1.10.2.

Full documentation: Ghost eShop Wiki: Tinfoil Error on Firmware v21

⚠️ Important: Modifying package3 is not necessarily recommended. Downgrading your firmware to 20.5.0 remains the best approach. The package3 method should only be used by users who absolutely refuse to downgrade and know what they’re doing.

Important Precautions

Before any manipulation:

  • Perform these operations only in emuNAND
  • Make sure you have a NAND backup

Other Common Issues

For other errors you might encounter with Tinfoil, check our dedicated section:

Summary

This guide enables you to:

  • Use Tinfoil on any firmware (20.5.0, 21+, etc.)
  • Install recent games without cnmt errors thanks to a correct keys.txt
  • Enjoy up-to-date metadata (icons, names, descriptions)

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to report issues and share feedback. It really helps us move our services in the right direction.

Your Ghost eShop Team