
If you’re diving into the world of Nintendo Switch emulation, the Yuzu Emulator is hands-down one of the best ways to play your favorite Switch games on PC.
But before you can jump into The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Super Mario Odyssey, you’ll need two crucial files: prod.keys and title.keys.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Yuzu keys—what they are, why they’re necessary, and how to install them properly.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or just need a refresher, this guide has got you covered.

Table of Contents
What is the Yuzu Emulator?
Yuzu is an open-source Nintendo Switch emulator that lets you play Switch games on your Windows or Linux PC.
Developed by the same team behind Citra (the Nintendo 3DS emulator), Yuzu has made massive strides in compatibility and performance, allowing many games to run smoothly—sometimes even better than on the original hardware!
Key Features of Yuzu Emulator
- Open-Source & Community-Driven – Constantly updated by developers worldwide.
- Enhanced Performance – Play games at higher resolutions and smoother framerates.
- Customizable Controls – Supports keyboard, mouse, and gamepad inputs.
- Mod Support – Apply mods and texture packs to enhance your games.
- Multiplayer Support – Some games support local and online multiplayer.
But here’s the catch: Yuzu can’t run games without decryption keys. That’s where prod.keys and title.keys come in.
What Are Yuzu Keys (Prod.keys & Title.keys)?
Nintendo Switch games are encrypted, meaning they can’t be read directly without the right decryption keys. Yuzu needs two types of keys to run games:
- Prod.keys (Product Keys)
- These are system-level encryption keys extracted from the Switch’s firmware.
- Required for decrypting game files and making them playable on Yuzu.
- Title.keys (Game-Specific Keys)
- Each Switch game has its own unique title key for decryption.
- Without these, Yuzu won’t recognize or launch the game.
Why Do You Need These Keys?
- Without them, Yuzu will throw errors like “Missing prod.keys” or “RYU-0001 Keys not found.”
- They allow Yuzu to decrypt Nintendo Switch games, making them playable on PC.
Note: Obtaining these keys legally requires dumping them from your own Switch console. However, many users download them from trusted sources online (more on that later).
Yuzu Emulator System Requirements
Before installing keys, make sure your PC meets the minimum requirements for Yuzu:
For Windows
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit) or later
- CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 (Quad-core minimum)
- RAM: 8GB (16GB recommended for better performance)
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD Radeon RX 560 (Vulkan 1.1+ support required)
- Storage: SSD recommended for faster loading
For Linux
- OS: Ubuntu 20.04 or newer
- CPU: Same as Windows
- RAM: 8GB+
- GPU: NVIDIA/AMD with Vulkan support
If your PC meets these specs, you’re ready to proceed!
How to Download Yuzu Prod.keys & Title.keys
Since dumping keys from a Switch requires homebrew access, many users rely on pre-dumped keys. Here’s how to get them:
1. Visit a trusted source to download the latest keys. Or simply use the below link to download the keys.
2. Look for a “keys.zip” file containing:
prod.keys
title.keys
(sometimes included in the same file)
3. Extract the ZIP file to a folder you can easily access.
⚠️ Warning: Only download keys from reputable sources to avoid malware or outdated files.
How to Install Yuzu Keys & fix the “Encryption keys are missing” Error (Step-by-Step Guide)
Now, let’s get those keys installed so you can start gaming!

Step 1: Open the Yuzu Emulator
- Launch Yuzu (if you haven’t installed it yet, download it from yuzuemulator.org).
Step 2: Open the Yuzu Folder
- Click File → Open Yuzu Folder in the top menu.
- This opens the directory where Yuzu stores all its files.

Step 3: Locate the “keys” Folder
- Inside the Yuzu folder, find and open the “keys” subfolder.
- If it doesn’t exist, create a new folder and name it exactly “keys” (all lowercase).

Step 4: Copy the Keys into the Folder
- Drag and drop the downloaded prod.keys and title.keys files into the “keys” folder.
- Make sure they’re placed directly inside, not in any subfolders.

Step 5: Restart Yuzu
- Close and reopen Yuzu to let it recognize the new keys.
- If done correctly, the “Missing Keys” error should disappear.
Step 6: Verify the Keys (Optional)
- Go to Emulation → Configure → System → Filesystem.
- Yuzu should now detect the keys and display them under “Keys”.
🎉 Congrats! You’ve successfully installed Yuzu keys and can now load Switch games.
Fixing Common Yuzu Key Errors
1. “RYU-0001 Keys Not Found” Error
- Cause: Missing or incorrectly placed keys.
- Fix:
- Double-check that
prod.keys
is in the “keys” folder. - Ensure the file isn’t corrupted—redownload if needed.
- Double-check that
2. “Missing Title Key” Error
- Cause: Some games need their own
title.keys
entry. - Fix:
- Update your
title.keys
file with the latest version. - Some games may require additional firmware files.
- Update your
3. “Invalid Key” Error
- Cause: Outdated keys.
- Fix: Download the latest prod.keys matching your Yuzu version.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need both prod.keys and title.keys?
Yes! prod.keys
decrypts the system, while title.keys
decrypts individual games.
Can I use Yuzu without keys?
No—commercial games won’t run without decryption keys.
Where do I get the latest keys?
Check trusted sites like GetProdKeys.com for updated releases.
Can Yuzu run on Android or Mac?
No, Yuzu is Windows/Linux only (though alternatives like Skyline exist for Android).
Is using Yuzu legal?
Emulators themselves are legal, but downloading games you don’t own is not. Always dump your own ROMs and keys if possible.
Setting up prod.keys and title.keys is the most crucial step in getting Yuzu to work. Once installed, you can enjoy Nintendo Switch exclusives in 4K, with mods, and better performance than the original console!
If you run into issues, check the Yuzu Discord or forums for help—the community is super active and helpful.
Now that your keys are installed, it’s time to load up your favorite games and start playing! 🚀
Got questions? Drop them in the comments below! 👇
Happy Emulating! 🎮