How to add cheat codes to Ryujinx

Ryujinx stores cheat codes in a folder structure that mirrors your game library. To add cheats, you create a text file with the cheat code data, place it in the correct folder for that game, and Ryujinx reads it automatically when you launch the game. The process takes about five minutes once you know where the files go and what format they need.

Most cheat codes for Ryujinx come from community databases like Cheat Engine or specialized Nintendo Switch cheat repositories. You copy the code text, create a new file in your Ryujinx cheat folder, paste the code in, save it with the right filename, and you're done. Ryujinx checks for cheats every time you start a game, so no restart of the emulator itself is needed.

Key Takeaways

  • Cheat codes go in a folder named after your game's title ID, which you can find in Ryujinx's game properties or by looking at the folder structure Ryujinx creates automatically.
  • Each cheat code file must be named with the game's title ID followed by .txt — for example, 0100A3D008C5C000.txt — and placed in the cheats folder inside your Ryujinx data directory.
  • Cheat code syntax varies by source, but most community codes are already formatted correctly; you paste them directly into the text file without editing.
  • Ryujinx reads cheat files when you launch a game, so you can add or remove cheats without restarting the emulator.
  • If cheats don't appear in-game, the most common causes are a mismatched title ID, the file in the wrong folder, or the filename missing the .txt extension.

Finding your game's title ID

Every game in Ryujinx has a unique title ID — a 16-character code that identifies it. You need this code to name your cheat file correctly. The easiest way to find it is to right-click the game in Ryujinx's library, select Properties, and look for the Title ID field. Write this down or copy it to your clipboard.

If the Properties window doesn't show the title ID clearly, you can also find it by opening your Ryujinx data folder and looking at the folder names inside the games directory. Each folder is named after a title ID. The folder for your game will be a 16-character string of numbers and letters.

Locating your Ryujinx cheat folder

Ryujinx stores cheats in a specific location depending on your operating system. On Windows, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Ryujinx\. On macOS, open Finder, press Command + Shift + G, and paste ~/.config/Ryujinx/. On Linux, the path is ~/.config/Ryujinx/ as well.

Inside the Ryujinx folder, look for a folder called cheats. If it doesn't exist, create it yourself — right-click in the Ryujinx folder, select New Folder, and name it cheats. This is where all your cheat code files will go. Keep this folder open in a second window; you'll be pasting files into it in the next step.

Creating and naming your cheat file

Open a text editor — Notepad on Windows, TextEdit on macOS (set to plain text mode), or any text editor on Linux. Do not use Word or any word processor; it will add formatting that breaks the cheat code. Create a new blank document and leave it empty for now.

Save this file in your cheats folder with the filename [TitleID].txt, replacing [TitleID] with the 16-character code you found earlier. For example, if your title ID is 0100A3D008C5C000, save the file as 0100A3D008C5C000.txt. Make sure the filename ends with .txt and not .txt.txt — if you're on Windows and file extensions are hidden, check that you're not doubling it.

Pasting cheat codes into the file

Find your cheat codes from a community source. Common places include Cheat Engine's online database, GitHub repositories dedicated to Switch cheats, or forums where emulator users share codes. Copy the entire cheat code block — usually several lines of hexadecimal numbers and text.

Open your [TitleID].txt file in your text editor, paste the cheat code, and save the file. Most community cheat codes are already in the correct format for Ryujinx, so you should not need to edit them. If a cheat code comes with instructions or comments, paste those too — Ryujinx ignores lines that start with // or #, so comments won't break anything.

You can add multiple cheat codes to the same file by pasting them one after another, separated by blank lines. Ryujinx will read all of them and let you toggle each one on or off when you launch the game.

Enabling cheats in Ryujinx and testing them

Launch Ryujinx and start the game you added cheats for. When the game loads, open the Ryujinx menu — usually by pressing a hotkey like Alt + Tab or a controller button you've configured. Look for a Cheats option in the menu. Click it to see a list of all cheats Ryujinx found in your [TitleID].txt file.

Each cheat will have a checkbox next to it. Check the box for the cheat you want to use, and it will activate immediately in the running game. You can toggle cheats on and off without pausing or restarting. If you don't see your cheat listed, go back and check that the filename matches your title ID exactly and that the file is saved in the cheats folder.

Troubleshooting missing or inactive cheats

If your cheat codes don't appear in the Ryujinx menu, the most common cause is a mismatch between the filename and the game's actual title ID. Double-check the title ID in Properties — copy and paste it rather than typing it by hand, since even one wrong character will prevent Ryujinx from finding the file. Make sure the filename is exactly [TitleID].txt with no extra spaces or characters.

The second most common issue is the file being in the wrong folder. Verify that your [TitleID].txt file is directly inside the cheats folder, not in a subfolder. If you created the cheats folder yourself, restart Ryujinx to make sure it scans the folder on startup.

If the file is in the right place with the right name but cheats still don't show up, the cheat code format itself may be wrong. This is rare with codes from established community sources, but if you copied a code from an unfamiliar source, try a code from a known repository like the ones linked in community forums to rule out a formatting problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use cheat codes from other emulators in Ryujinx?

Not directly. Cheat codes written for Dolphin, PCSX2, or other emulators use different syntax and won't work in Ryujinx. You need codes specifically formatted for Ryujinx or the original Nintendo Switch. Community repositories usually label codes by emulator, so look for ones marked as Ryujinx-compatible or Switch-native.

What if I want to add cheats for multiple games?

Create a separate [TitleID].txt file for each game, all in the same cheats folder. Ryujinx reads the title ID of whatever game you're launching and loads only the matching cheat file. You can have dozens of cheat files in the folder without any conflict.

Do I need to restart Ryujinx after adding a new cheat file?

No. Ryujinx scans the cheats folder when you launch a game, not when you start the emulator. You can add a new cheat file, launch the game, and the cheats will appear immediately. If you add a file while a game is already running, restart that game to pick up the new cheats.

Will using cheats damage my save file?

Cheats modify the game's memory while it's running, not your save file on disk. Your save file is only written to when you use the game's own save function. However, some cheats can cause crashes or unexpected behavior, so save your game before testing a new cheat if you're unsure about it.

Where do I find reliable cheat codes for my game?

GitHub has several repositories dedicated to Switch cheat codes, and Cheat Engine's online database includes many Switch games. Look for repositories that are actively maintained and have recent updates. Community forums for Ryujinx and Switch emulation also share tested codes. Avoid sources that require you to download files or sign up for accounts.