# Nintendo Switch changelog > System software for the Nintendo Switch family of consoles. - Vendor: Nintendo - Category: Operating Systems - Official site: https://www.nintendo.com - Tracked by: What's New (https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch) - Harvested from: AI extracted - Entries below: 25 (newest first) What's New is an index, not a publisher: every entry below links to the vendor's own release notes, which are the authoritative source. Entries are labelled where they are hand-curated sample data, pre-releases, or drawn from a secondary source such as a developer blog. Reuse: release facts (products, versions, dates, links, CVE ids and flags) are open data under CC BY 4.0, from the API at https://whatsnew.fyi/api/v1 or the nightly dataset at https://github.com/whatsnew-fyi/dataset. The summaries, labels and curation are © What's New: quote freely with attribution and a link back; wholesale republication of them is not permitted — terms: https://whatsnew.fyi/terms. The vendors' own release notes remain their publishers'. ## Releases ### 23.0.0 - Date: 2026-09-09 - Version: 23.0.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/23.0.0 - **added** — Settings for Virtual Game Cards accessible from the HOME Menu, allowing users to review and edit which of their systems can use virtual game cards, among other options - **added** — Prompt to start software using an online license when a virtual game card cannot be ejected from another console because it is powered off or not connected to the internet - **changed** — Only the user who purchased the software can play it using the online license - **changed** — General system stability improvements to enhance the user experience - **security** — A vulnerability was fixed in this system version, as described on the security notice page Added “Settings” to Virtual Game Cards from the HOME Menu. You can review and edit which of your systems can use virtual game cards, among other options. When starting software, if a virtual game card cannot be ejected from another console because it is powered off or otherwise not connected to the internet, there will be a prompt to start the software using an online license. Only the user who purchased the software can play it using the online license. General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. Note: Please see our security notice page for the vulnerability fixed in this system version. ### 22.5.0 - Date: 2026-06-15 - Version: 22.5.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/22.5.0 - **changed** — The Nintendo eShop layout has been redesigned. - **changed** — The Nintendo eShop color reflects the theme color when the theme in System Settings is set to Basic Dark. - **added** — User-Verification PIN can be used to confirm when accessing Nintendo eShop and using saved payment methods. - **added** — Rewind 10 seconds and advance 10 seconds with the ZL and ZR Buttons when watching a full screen video in News or Nintendo eShop. - **changed** — General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. The Nintendo eShop layout has been redesigned. The Nintendo eShop color will now reflect the theme color if your theme in System Settings is set to “Basic Dark.” User-Verification PIN can now be used to confirm when “Accessing Nintendo eShop” and “Using Saved Payment Methods.” Added the ability to rewind 10 seconds/advance 10 seconds with the ZL and ZR Buttons when watching a full screen video in News or Nintendo eShop. General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 22.1.0 - Date: 2026-04-06 - Version: 22.1.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/22.1.0 General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 22.0.0 - Date: 2026-03-16 - Version: 22.0.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/22.0.0 - **changed** — Changed the on-screen text and animations when loading a virtual game card in the HOME Menu. - **added** — Added the ability to save notes about friends on your Friend List, with note content not displayed to friends. - **added** — Added the ability to see and edit friend notes from the Nintendo Switch App, which must be on version 3.3.0 or higher to use this feature. - **added** — Added a notification in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device application when the Parental Controls PIN is input successfully on the console, which can also be set up as a push notification. - **changed** — General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. Changed the on-screen text and animations when you load a virtual game card in the HOME Menu. Added the ability to save notes about friends on your Friend List. The note content is not displayed to friends. Added the ability to see and edit these notes from the Nintendo Switch App. The app must be on version 3.3.0 or higher to use this feature. Added the ability to see a notification in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device application when the Parental Controls PIN is input successfully on the console. This can also be set up to be a push notification to your smart device. The app must be on version 2.4.0 or higher to use this functionality. General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 21.2.0 - Date: 2026-01-12 - Version: 21.2.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/21.2.0 General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 21.1.0 - Date: 2025-12-08 - Version: 21.1.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/21.1.0 General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 21.0.1 - Date: 2025-11-24 - Version: 21.0.1 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/21.0.1 - **fixed** — Fixed an issue where Error Code: 2011-0301 or Error Code: 2168-0002 would repeatedly occur on a Nintendo Switch when attempting a system transfer using local communication from a Nintendo Switch system to a Nintendo Switch 2 system. - **changed** — General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. Fixed an issue where Error Code: 2011-0301 or Error Code: 2168-0002 would repeatedly occur on a Nintendo Switch when attempting a system transfer using local communication from a Nintendo Switch system to a Nintendo Switch 2 system. General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 21.0.0 - Date: 2025-11-10 - Version: 21.0.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/21.0.0 - **added** — Symbols above software icons on the HOME Menu indicate whether the software is a physical or a digital version - **added** — Ability to download data for a virtual game card even if the "Use Online License" setting is turned off, available in the Options of a virtual game card accessed via Virtual Game Cards from the HOME Menu - **changed** — Information regarding Save Data Cloud Backup that appears when launching certain software has been updated - **changed** — The option "Platinum Point Notification Settings" was renamed to "Nintendo Switch Online Notification Settings" in the Notifications menu in System Settings - **added** — Ability to disable Redownload Software on Nintendo Switch 2 and Transfer Album Data options when performing a system transfer from a Nintendo Switch system to a Nintendo Switch 2 system using System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2 in System Settings - **added** — Ability to adjust the volume from the Quick Settings menu while in VR mode - **fixed** — General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience Added symbols above software icons displayed on the HOME Menu to indicate whether the software is a physical or a digital version. Added the ability to download data for a virtual game card even if the “Use Online License" setting is turned off. This option is available in the Options of a virtual game card when accessed via Virtual Game Cards from the HOME Menu. The information regarding Save Data Cloud Backup that appears when launching certain software has been updated. The option "Platinum Point Notification Settings” was renamed to "Nintendo Switch Online Notification Settings" in the Notifications menu in System Settings. Added the ability to disable the following options when performing a system transfer from a Nintendo Switch system to a Nintendo Switch 2 system using System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2 in System Settings. Redownload Software on Nintendo Switch 2 Transfer Album Data Added the ability to adjust the volume from the Quick Settings menu while in VR mode. General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 20.5.0 - Date: 2025-09-29 - Version: 20.5.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/20.5.0 General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 20.4.0 - Date: 2025-09-01 - Version: 20.4.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/20.4.0 General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 20.3.0 - Date: 2025-07-28 - Version: 20.3.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/20.3.0 General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 20.2.0 - Date: 2025-07-14 - Version: 20.2.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/20.2.0 - **fixed** — Parental Control settings were not transferred from Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 in certain circumstances during a system transfer - **changed** — General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience Fixed an issue where Parental Control settings were not transferred from Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 in certain circumstances during a system transfer. General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 20.1.5 - Date: 2025-06-18 - Version: 20.1.5 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/20.1.5 General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 20.1.1 - Date: 2025-06-02 - Version: 20.1.1 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/20.1.1 - **fixed** — Fixed an issue where some software would not start after updating to system version 20.1.0 Fixed an issue where some software would not start after updating to system version 20.1.0. ### 20.1.0 - Date: 2025-05-27 - Version: 20.1.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/20.1.0 - **changed** — Visual updates have been made to the Parental Control settings. - **changed** — The sound that plays when Nintendo Switch Online is launched from the HOME Menu has been changed. - **changed** — General system stability improvements have been made to enhance the user's experience. Visual updates have been made to the Parental Control settings. The sound that plays when Nintendo Switch Online is launched from the HOME Menu has been changed. General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. Note: If performing a system transfer from Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 using local communication, the Nintendo Switch console will need to be updated to this latest system version to perform the transfer. See System Transfer from Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 for more information. ### 20.0.1 - Date: 2025-05-02 - Version: 20.0.1 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/20.0.1 - **fixed** — Fixed an issue where Error Code 2206-1015 sometimes occurred when restarting the system after updating to system version 20.0.0 Fixed an issue where Error Code: 2206-1015 sometimes occurred when restarting the system after updating to system version 20.0.0. If you're encountering the error, update your Nintendo Switch console in Maintenance Mode. ### 20.0.0 - Date: 2025-04-29 - Version: 20.0.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/20.0.0 - **added** — Virtual Game Card icon added to the HOME Menu, listing purchased digital software, DLC, and some free software as virtual game cards - **added** — Virtual game cards can be virtually loaded and ejected between up to two Nintendo Switch systems - **added** — Virtual game cards can be lent to others in the same Nintendo Account family group - **added** — GameShare icon added to the HOME Menu, allowing compatible software to be shared from a Nintendo Switch 2 system to nearby systems for playing together - **added** — GameShare works only via local wireless and must be initiated by a Nintendo Switch 2 system, and cannot be used between two Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, and/or Nintendo Switch Lite systems - **added** — User-Verification Settings under User > User Settings, allowing access to the Virtual Game Card menu to be restricted by requiring a PIN or Nintendo Account sign-in - **added** — Online License Settings, which when turned on allows playing purchased downloaded software or DLC while connected to the internet without the virtual game card loaded - **added** — System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2 under System Settings > System, allowing transfer from Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 using local communication - **added** — Option to upload system transfer data to a dedicated server for retrieval on Nintendo Switch 2, which initializes the Nintendo Switch to factory settings - **changed** — The Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch News icon colors on the HOME Menu have been changed - **changed** — Multiple save data can be selected and transferred at once in the Transfer Your Save Data menu - **changed** — The appearance of some user icons has been updated - **deprecated** — The term "Primary Console" is deprecated with the transition to virtual game cards, and "Pass-enabled console" is used instead The following icons for new features have been added to the HOME Menu: Virtual Game Card Purchased Nintendo Switch digital software, DLC, and some free software, are now virtual game cards and displayed in a list in this menu. You can virtually load and eject virtual game cards between up to two Nintendo Switch systems. Virtual game cards can be lent to others in the same Nintendo Account family group. For more information, see Virtual Game Card Guide. GameShare Compatible software can be shared from a Nintendo Switch 2 system to other nearby system(s) to play together. You can only play together via local wireless, and the Nintendo Switch 2 system must initiate GameShare. This feature cannot be used between two Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model and/or Nintendo Switch Lite systems. User-Verification Settings has been added under User > User Settings. You can restrict access to the Virtual Game Card menu by requiring entry of a PIN or signing in to your Nintendo Account. Online License Settings has been added. When turned on, you can play downloaded software or DLC you've purchased while the system is connected to the internet, even if you don't have the virtual game card loaded. For more information, please refer to the details about the option on the System Settings screen. The Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch News icon colors on the HOME Menu have been changed. Multiple save data can be selected and transferred at once in “Transfer Your Save Data” menu. System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2 has been added under System Settings > System. You can perform a system transfer from your Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 using local communication. For users that will lose access to their Nintendo Switch before receiving their Nintendo Switch 2, there is an option to upload system transfer data to a dedicated server which can then be retrieved on their Nintendo Switch 2. After you upload your system transfer data to the dedicated server, the Nintendo Switch system will be initialized to factory settings, so only perform this transfer if you’ll be able to complete the transfer on Nintendo Switch 2. If you want to continue using your Nintendo Switch until you have a Nintendo Switch 2, we recommend completing the system transfer using local communication after you have acquired a Nintendo Switch 2 system. An internet connection and Nintendo Account is required to complete both local and the server-based system transfer service. For more information, see System Transfer from Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2. The appearance of some user icons have been updated. For detailed information on Nintendo Switch 2, see the Nintendo website. Note that the use of “Primary Console” has been deprecated with the transition to virtual game cards, and “Pass-enabled console” will be used instead. On a console set as the “Pass-enabled console” for a user, all users on the console can access certain subscriptions or passes for some software. For more information, see How to Set or Change the Pass-Enabled Console for a Nintendo Account. ### 19.0.1 - Date: 2024-10-28 - Version: 19.0.1 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/19.0.1 - **fixed** — Fixed an issue with the Nintendo GameCube Controller Adapter and Nintendo GameCube Controller(s) not being recognized. - **fixed** — Fixed an issue where some network processes, such as downloading software, were not working as expected during sleep mode. - **changed** — General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. Fixed an issue with the Nintendo GameCube™ Controller Adapter and Nintendo GameCube Controller(s) not being recognized. Fixed an issue where some network processes, like downloading software, weren’t working as expected during sleep mode. General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 19.0.0 - Date: 2024-10-07 - Version: 19.0.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/19.0.0 General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 18.1.0 - Date: 2024-06-10 - Version: 18.1.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/18.1.0 - **removed** — The option to "Post to Twitter" when sharing from the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu was removed - **removed** — The ability to post Super Smash Bros. Ultimate screenshots from the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu to Smash World in the Nintendo Switch Online smart device app was removed - **removed** — The option to link X (formerly Twitter) from "Settings" > "User Settings" > "Posting to Social Media" was removed - **removed** — The option to link social media accounts from "My Page" > "Friend Suggestions" was removed - **changed** — General system stability improvements were made to enhance the user's experience The following updates were made for the discontinuation of X (formerly Twitter) integration: The option to “Post to Twitter” when sharing from the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu was removed. The ability to post Super Smash Bros. Ultimate screenshots from the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu to Smash World in the Nintendo Switch Online smart device app was removed. The option to link X (formerly Twitter) from “Settings” > “User Settings” > “Posting to Social Media” was removed. The option to link social media accounts from “My Page” > “Friend Suggestions” was removed. General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 18.0.1 - Date: 2024-04-22 - Version: 18.0.1 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/18.0.1 - **fixed** — Fixed an issue where some wireless access points cannot be found when setting up a new wireless network. - **changed** — General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. Fixed an issue where some wireless access points cannot be found when setting up a new wireless network. If you’re unable to update to Version 18.0.1 because of the issue, temporarily change the security settings for your wireless network to use only “WPA2 (AES)” so you can connect wirelessly to download and install the system update. After updating to Version 18.0.1, restore your network’s security settings to its previous settings. General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 18.0.0 - Date: 2024-03-25 - Version: 18.0.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/18.0.0 - **added** — Added "15 Minutes" as an option for "Auto-sleep when playing on TV" in Sleep Mode Settings. - **added** — Added Korean as a supported language for the "Nintendo Switch Parental Controls" introductory video. - **changed** — When the console language is set to Korean, the Parental Controls introductory video can be accessed from Settings > Parental Controls. - **fixed** — General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. Added “15 Minutes” as an option for “Auto-sleep when playing on TV” in Sleep Mode Settings. Added Korean as a supported language for “Nintendo Switch Parental Controls” introductory video. When the console language is set to Korean, the video can be accessed from Settings > Parental Controls. General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 17.0.1 - Date: 2023-12-04 - Version: 17.0.1 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/17.0.1 - **fixed** — Resolved an issue with local communication for some software. - **changed** — General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. Resolved an issue with local communication for some software. General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 17.0.0 - Date: 2023-10-10 - Version: 17.0.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/17.0.0 General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. ### 16.1.0 - Date: 2023-08-21 - Version: 16.1.0 - Original notes: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43314/~/system-update-history-for-nintendo-switch - Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/nintendo-switch/releases/16.1.0 General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.