Monitor mode on Nintendo Switch with Ubuntu + Nexmon
Description
This report discusses attempts to enable monitor mode on the Nintendo Switch's WiFi adapter (BCM4356) using Ubuntu and the Nexmon firmware patch. While the patch allows creating a monitor mode interface, tools like airodump-ng do not detect any wireless networks, indicating incomplete functionality. The issue contrasts with successful use of Nexmon on Raspberry Pi devices with the same WiFi chip. No active exploit or vulnerability is described.
Reddit Discussion
Nintendo switch has the WIFI adapter BCM4356 which can be patched with nexmon (https://github.com/seemoo-lab/nexmon) that should allow to use it in monitor mode.
I was able to patch the firmware and driver with nexmon and now it is possible to use the wireless in monitor mode.
Well, at least that is what looks like.it is possible to put the WiFi in Monitor mode or even create an additional interface in monitor mode. But when using airodump-ng or tcpdump or wireshark. It does now show any BSSID. It is almost like the WiFi adapter can't see any network, completely empty, iw dev scan works fine but no dumps.
I tried preload libnexmon with LD\_PRELOAD, I tried everything. This works fine in raspberry that has the same WiFi card, but no success with Nintendo Switch.
Anyone has any idea? Would be very cool to be able to do that with a Nintendo Switch.
The follow commands works fine:
iw phy \`iw dev wlp1s0 info | gawk '/wiphy/ {printf "phy" $2}'\` interface add mon0 type monitor
Or even
ip link set wlp1s0 down
iw dev wlan0 set type monitor
ip link set wlp1s0 up
Even
airmon-ng start wlp1s0
It says unknown error 524 but it does create the extra monitoring interface
But airodump-ng does not show any network
Links cited in this discussion
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
The Nintendo Switch uses a Broadcom BCM4356 WiFi adapter that can be patched with Nexmon firmware to enable monitor mode under Ubuntu. Although the patch allows the creation of a monitor mode interface, network monitoring tools fail to detect wireless networks, suggesting partial or non-functional monitor mode support on the Switch. Attempts to preload Nexmon libraries and various interface commands have not resolved this. This is a technical exploration rather than a confirmed vulnerability or exploit.
Potential Impact
No direct security impact or exploit is described. The content reflects a technical limitation or incomplete functionality in enabling monitor mode on the Nintendo Switch WiFi adapter. There is no indication of a vulnerability or active threat.
Defensive Guidance
No mitigation is required as this is not a vulnerability or active threat. The issue relates to experimental firmware patching and driver support for monitor mode on the Nintendo Switch's WiFi adapter.
Technical Details
- Source Type
- Subreddit
- cybersecurity
- Reddit Score
- 0
- Discussion Level
- minimal
- Content Source
- reddit_link_post
- Post Type
- link
- Newsworthiness Assessment
- {"score":35,"reasons":["external_link","established_author","recent_news"],"isNewsworthy":true}
- Has External Source
- true
- Trusted Domain
- false
Threat ID: 6a9de408acd9273b495af047
Added to database: 09/06/2026, 22:07:04 UTC
Last enriched: 09/07/2026, 09:10:08 UTC
Last updated: 10/04/2026, 06:47:44 UTC
Views: 113
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