The DBI Switch config file controls many of DBI’s important settings, including general behavior, installation options, MTP features, FTP settings, network sources, storage visibility, save and log locations, and custom shortcuts. The file is called dbi.config and is normally stored in the same directory as DBI.nro.
For a standard DBI installation, both files are placed inside sdmc:/switch/DBI/ on the Nintendo Switch microSD card. DBI can read the configuration when it starts and use those values to determine how different features should behave.
What Is the DBI Switch Config File?
The DBI Switch config file is a text-based configuration file used to store application settings. Instead of hard-coding every preference into the program, DBI reads options from dbi.config.
The file is divided into sections such as [General], [Applications], [Install], [MTP], [MTP Storages], [FTP], [Access point], [Network sources], [Local sources], and [MTP custom storages]. Each section controls a particular part of DBI.
What the Config File Is Used For
The config file allows users to customize DBI’s behavior. For example, general settings can control where save backups, logs, and dumps are stored. Other settings determine whether features such as MTP Responder, FTP Server, installed-application browsing, save browsing, and network sources appear in DBI.
The file can also control more specific behavior. MTP settings determine which virtual storage locations are displayed, while FTP options control features such as screen behavior and access-point use.
Custom shortcuts can also be created. For example, a user can configure a shortcut pointing directly to a frequently used SD card directory instead of manually navigating through the entire card each time.
How DBI Reads Configuration Settings
DBI reads the dbi.config file located beside DBI.nro. Settings are organized into named sections followed by individual options and their values.
Many options use simple Boolean values:
true means the feature is enabled, while false means it is disabled.
Other options accept paths, names, URLs, passwords, sorting preferences, or similar values. Lines beginning with a semicolon are comments and are generally included to explain the setting rather than configure it.
DBI also has a built-in Configuration manager. Its documentation explains that the graphical configuration interface can modify many of the same parameters found in dbi.config, making manual editing unnecessary for common settings.
Where Is the DBI Config File Located?
The normal DBI installation directory is:
sdmc:/switch/DBI/
DBI’s installation documentation specifically instructs users to place both dbi.nro and dbi.config in this directory.
The important rule is that dbi.config should be located beside the DBI executable being launched.
DBI Folder on the SD Card
The DBI folder is normally located inside the main switch directory on the microSD card.
A typical installation therefore looks like:
sdmc:/switch/DBI/DBI.nro
sdmc:/switch/DBI/dbi.config
The same DBI directory may also contain folders used for saves, logs, dumps, or other application data. For example, the documented configuration uses sdmc:/switch/DBI/saves/ for save backups, sdmc:/switch/DBI/logs/ for logs, and sdmc:/switch/DBI/dumps/ for dumps.
Default Config File Location
The standard config location is:
sdmc:/switch/DBI/dbi.config
However, the more precise rule from DBI’s documentation is that dbi.config is located next to DBI.nro. Therefore, if someone deliberately keeps DBI in another directory, the configuration should remain alongside the NRO being launched.
If DBI appears to ignore a configuration file, checking whether the correct DBI.nro and dbi.config are actually in the same folder is an important troubleshooting step.
How to Edit the DBI Switch Config File
Because dbi.config is a text configuration file, it can be edited with a normal text editor. Users can access it by removing the microSD card or by using DBI’s own SD-card access through MTP.
DBI also provides its own Configuration menu, which is usually easier for basic changes because it reduces the chance of formatting mistakes.
Opening the Config File on a PC
Connect the Switch microSD card to the computer, or start DBI MTP Responder and open the SD Card storage from the PC.
Navigate to:
switch/DBI/
Find:
dbi.config
Open it with a plain-text editor. Avoid word-processing applications that may introduce formatting or special characters into the file.
Before editing, make a copy of the original configuration. This gives you an easy recovery option if a change causes DBI to behave incorrectly.
Changing and Saving DBI Settings
Find the section containing the option you want to modify. For example, MTP-related options are located under [MTP], while FTP options appear under [FTP].
A Boolean setting may look like:
TurnOffScreen=false
Changing it to:
TurnOffScreen=true
enables that particular behavior.
Save the file as plain text and keep its filename exactly as dbi.config. Do not accidentally save it as dbi.config.txt.
Be careful with section names, paths, and setting names. A typing error can cause an option to be ignored even if the rest of the configuration remains usable.
DBI Config File Settings Explained
DBI contains many configuration parameters, so it is useful to understand them by category rather than changing random values.
The major sections include general application behavior, installation settings, MTP configuration, MTP storage visibility, FTP configuration, network sources, local shortcuts, and custom MTP storages.
General Settings
The [General] section contains many of DBI’s basic options.
For example, UseLibUsbHsFS controls support for external USB mass-storage devices. ExitToHomeScreen controls DBI’s exit behavior, while SavesFolder, LogsFolder, and DumpsFolder specify where DBI stores different types of application data.
General configuration also controls whether menu features are available. Options can enable or disable installed-application browsing, cleanup tools, update checking, ticket management, save browsing, MTP Responder, and FTP Server.
Sorting preferences for applications and saves can also be stored in the configuration. This allows DBI to remember how information should be organized instead of requiring the same choices every time it starts.
USB and MTP Settings
DBI has dedicated [MTP] and [MTP Storages] sections.
MTP settings include options for displaying combined installed content, showing the virtual Mods & Cheats directory, controlling screen behavior while MTP is active, and reporting Android MTP extensions. DBI notes that changing the Android-extension option may help when some libmtp-based clients on macOS or Linux do not recognize the device correctly or experience reduced transfer speed.
The [MTP Storages] section determines which storage areas appear on the connected computer. DBI documents entries for SD Card, Nand USER, Nand SYSTEM, Installed games, SD install, NAND install, Saves, Album, and Gamecard. These entries can be individually shown or hidden.
DBI also supports [MTP custom storages]. A custom entry can point directly to a particular SD directory, making frequently used folders easier to access through MTP.
Network and FTP Settings
DBI includes an [FTP] section for its built-in FTP server. Documented options include turning the Switch screen off when FTP starts, using the Switch as a local access point, and controlling whether file modification dates are read.
The [Access point] section contains settings such as SSID, Password, Use5GHz, and Hidden. These determine how DBI’s local wireless access point behaves when that feature is enabled.
DBI also supports [Network sources]. These entries can define remote sources using supported network methods. The official documentation demonstrates an HTTP source using a local web server and also shows an FTP-style source configuration.
When configuring remote services, users should avoid putting sensitive credentials into configurations they intend to share publicly.
How to Reset the DBI Config File
A DBI configuration can become confusing after many manual changes. If DBI starts behaving unexpectedly after configuration edits, returning to a known configuration is often easier than troubleshooting every individual value.
Always preserve a copy of the existing file first if it contains network sources, custom paths, or other settings you may want later.
Restore Default Settings
The cleanest method is to replace the modified dbi.config with a fresh configuration matching the DBI build you are using.
Do not automatically copy a random configuration from an old tutorial. DBI has changed over time, and older configuration files may contain obsolete settings or may lack newer options.
The maintained DBI documentation publishes an example of the current configuration structure and explains the available parameters.
After restoring the configuration, restart DBI so it can read the new settings.
Create a New Configuration File
If you need to recreate the configuration manually, use a known-good dbi.config template that corresponds to your DBI version and place it beside DBI.nro.
A standard location would again be:
sdmc:/switch/DBI/dbi.config
You can then adjust only the options you actually need.
This approach is usually safer than copying dozens of custom settings from an unrelated Switch setup because third-party configurations can intentionally change MTP visibility, installation behavior, network features, or other defaults.
DBI Config File Not Working
If DBI does not appear to follow configuration changes, the problem is often simple: the wrong file is being edited, the filename is incorrect, the file is in the wrong location, or one of the settings contains a formatting error.
Start by confirming the exact path and filename before changing additional settings.
DBI Not Saving Settings
If settings changed through DBI do not remain after restarting the application, check whether dbi.config is writable and whether DBI is actually using the file you expect.
Also check the microSD card for filesystem problems or write protection. If other files also cannot be created or modified, the issue may involve the card rather than DBI.
If you manually edit the configuration while DBI is running, restart DBI before deciding that the new value has been ignored.
Incorrect or Corrupted Configuration
A malformed configuration can produce unexpected behavior. Incorrect section names, mistyped parameters, invalid paths, unsupported values, or badly formatted network entries can prevent individual settings from working correctly.
Compare the problematic section with the configuration format documented for your DBI version.
If you cannot identify the problem, rename the current configuration as a backup and restore a clean known-good file. Then add your custom settings again gradually. Testing after each group of changes makes it much easier to identify which setting caused the issue.
Config File Not Detected
First confirm that the filename is exactly:
dbi.config
On Windows, hidden file extensions can create mistakes. A file that appears as dbi.config in File Explorer could actually be named dbi.config.txt.
Next, make sure it is next to the DBI.nro that you are actually launching. DBI’s documentation explicitly states that dbi.config is located beside DBI.nro.
If multiple DBI copies exist on the SD card, you may be editing one configuration while launching another NRO from a different directory.
How to Back Up DBI Configuration
Backing up DBI’s configuration takes very little space and can save considerable time later.
This is particularly useful before changing MTP storage settings, adding network sources, modifying FTP configuration, or replacing DBI with another version.
Copying the Config Before Making Changes
Navigate to:
sdmc:/switch/DBI/
Copy dbi.config to your computer or another safe folder on the SD card.
For example, you might keep an untouched copy with a descriptive backup filename outside DBI’s active configuration location. The active file should still remain named dbi.config.
If your configuration contains FTP passwords, network credentials, or private server addresses, protect the backup accordingly and avoid posting it publicly.
Restoring a Previous Configuration
To restore your previous settings, close DBI and return to the DBI directory.
Remove or rename the configuration you no longer want, then copy your known-good backup into the same directory and make sure the active filename is:
dbi.config
Launch DBI again. It should read the restored settings from the file beside DBI.nro.
Keeping a backup is especially useful when testing complicated network or MTP configurations because you can return to a working setup without manually reversing every change.
Conclusion
The DBI Switch config file is called dbi.config and controls a large part of DBI’s behavior. The standard installation places it next to DBI.nro inside sdmc:/switch/DBI/.
The file contains sections for general behavior, application management, installation settings, MTP, MTP storages, FTP, access-point configuration, network sources, local shortcuts, custom MTP storages, and other options. DBI also provides a built-in Configuration manager for many common settings.
Before manually editing the file, create a backup. If DBI stops reading the configuration correctly, check the filename, location, formatting, and whether you are editing the configuration next to the DBI NRO you actually launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the DBI Switch config file located?
The standard DBI configuration location is sdmc:/switch/DBI/dbi.config. DBI’s documentation states that the configuration file should be placed next to DBI.nro. If you intentionally installed DBI in another directory, keep the configuration beside the NRO being launched.
What is the DBI config file called?
The file is called dbi.config. Make sure Windows has not accidentally saved it as dbi.config.txt. The file replaced older DBI configuration approaches and is now used to store application settings in a structured text format.
How do I edit DBI settings?
You can change many settings directly through DBI’s built-in Configuration menu. For options that require manual configuration, open dbi.config with a plain-text editor and modify the appropriate section. Save the file without changing its filename or extension, then restart DBI if necessary.
How do I reset DBI configuration?
Back up your existing dbi.config, then replace it with a clean configuration appropriate for the DBI version you are using. Avoid blindly using an old or heavily customized third-party config because available parameters can differ between versions. After restoring the clean file, launch DBI and reconfigure only the options you need.
Why is DBI not reading my config file?
The most common causes are an incorrect filename, wrong directory, formatting error, or editing a config belonging to a different copy of DBI. Confirm that the active file is named exactly dbi.config and is located beside the DBI.nro you launch. If the problem began after manual edits, test with a clean configuration to determine whether one of your changes caused the issue.
Can I restore the default DBI settings?
Yes. Keep a backup of your customized configuration and replace the active dbi.config with a clean version matching your DBI build. This is useful when incorrect MTP, FTP, network, or general settings cause unexpected behavior. Once DBI is working normally again, add your custom settings gradually rather than restoring an unknown or outdated configuration all at once.
