Nintendo Switch System Updates and Change History
Each update includes the improvements in all previous updates:
Improvements Included in Version 19.0.0 (Distributed 08/10/2024)
- General system stability improvements were made to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 18.1.0 (Distributed 11/06/2024)
- The following updates were made for the discontinuation of X (formerly Twitter) integration:
- The option to post to X (formerly Twitter) when sharing from the album on the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu was removed.
- The ability to post Super Smash Bros. Ultimate screenshots from the album on the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu to Smash World in the Nintendo Switch Online smart device app was removed.
- The option to link to X (formerly Twitter) from System Settings > User Settings > Social Network Posting Settings was removed.
- The option to link social network accounts from your user page > Friend Suggestions was removed.
- General system stability improvements were made to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 18.0.1 (Distributed 23/04/2024)
- Fixed an issue where some wireless access points could not 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 that you can connect wirelessly to download and install the system update.
- After updating to Version 18.0.1, restore your network’s previous security settings.
- General system stability improvements were made to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 18.0.0 (Distributed 26/03/2024)
- Added “15 Minutes” as an option for “Auto-Sleep (Playing on TV Screen)” in the Sleep Mode Settings.
- Added Korean as a supported language for the 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 were made to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 17.0.1 (Distributed 05/12/2023)
- Resolved an issue with local communication for some software.
- General system stability improvements were made to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 17.0.0 (Distributed 11/10/2023)
- General system stability improvements were made to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 16.1.0 (Distributed 22/08/2023)
- General system stability improvements were made to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 16.0.3 (Distributed 09/05/2023)
- General system stability improvements were made to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 16.0.2 (Distributed 18/04/2023)
- General system stability improvements were made to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 16.0.1 (Distributed 23/03/2023)
- General system stability improvements were made to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 16.0.0 (Distributed 21/02/2023)
- User nicknames that cannot be used will be replaced with “???” and can be updated from the profile settings.
- General system stability improvements were made to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 15.0.1 (Distributed 01/11/2022)
- Resolved an issue causing error code 2181-1000 to appear when playing DLC on a console that is not set as the primary console for your Nintendo Account.
- Resolved an issue that prevented screenshots during specific in-game scenes for some games.
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 15.0.0 (Distributed 11/10/2022)
- The location of the Bluetooth® Audio menu within System Settings has moved.
- Screenshots can be taken using the Capture Button while in the Nintendo Switch Online application found on the HOME Menu.
- Video capture is not supported.
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 14.1.2 (Distributed 14/06/2022)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 14.1.1 (Distributed 19/04/2022)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 14.1.0 (Distributed 05/04/2022)
"Platinum Point Notification Settings" has been added under Notifications in System Settings
- Platinum Points earned from completing Missions & Rewards are subject to notifications.
- The Missions & Rewards service is not available in some countries and regions.
- Setting these notifications to OFF will hide the notification sent when there are unclaimed Platinum Points for a set amount of time.
Improvements Included in Version 14.0.0 (Distributed 22/03/2022)
The "groups" feature has been added to the All Software menu.
- You can now create groups to help you organise your software titles.
- Making groups for different game genres, developers, etc. may make it easier to find the software you're looking for.
- Up to 100 groups can be created with a max of 200 titles per group.
- The icon that allows you to proceed to the "All Software" screen is displayed only when there are 13 or more software icons on the console.
- For more information, see How to Create Groups of Software.
Bluetooth® audio volume behaviour has been changed.
- You can now adjust the volume of Bluetooth audio devices using either the Nintendo Switch™ console or the volume control buttons on the Bluetooth audio device.
- The Bluetooth audio device must support AVRCP profiles for these changes to work.
- The volume displayed on the console will reflect the Bluetooth audio volume when using the device’s control buttons.
- The maximum volume output for some Bluetooth audio devices has been increased.
- When first connecting a device, volume will be reduced to avoid sudden loud sounds.
- For more information, see How to Pair and Manage Bluetooth Audio Devices.
Improvements Included in Version 13.2.1 (Distributed 20/01/2022)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 13.2.0 (Distributed 01/12/2021)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 13.1.0 (Distributed 26/10/2021)
- Added support for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 13.0.0 (Distributed 15/09/2021)
Bluetooth® audio support was added.
- Headphones, earbuds, speakers and other Bluetooth audio devices can now be connected to with Nintendo Switch consoles for audio output.
- Bluetooth microphones are not supported.
- Up to two compatible wireless controllers can be connected to the console while using Bluetooth audio.
- Bluetooth audio cannot be used while local wireless communication is active.
- Depending on the Bluetooth audio device, there may be some audio delay.
- For more information, see How to Add and Manage Bluetooth Audio Devices.
“Update Dock” was added under System in System Settings for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch OLED model consoles, allowing for software updates to Nintendo Switch docks with a LAN port.
- Dock software updates are not available for Nintendo Switch docks without a LAN port.
- This feature was not added for Nintendo Switch Lite systems.
- For more information, see How to Update the Dock Firmware.
“Maintain Wired Connection in Sleep Mode” was added under Sleep Mode in System Settings.
- When this setting is enabled, consoles with wired internet connections will maintain internet connection even while in sleep mode. This allows for software and DLC to download to the console while it is in sleep mode.
- The setting is enabled by default.
- When this setting is disabled, the console will connect to the internet only periodically, which decreases power consumption.
Note: Consoles that are not updated to version 13.0.0 or later will behave as if this setting is enabled.
The method to initiate “Calibrate Control Sticks” in System Settings was changed.
- From System Settings, go to Controllers and Sensors, select Calibrate Control Sticks, then fully tilt the control stick in any one direction and keep it tilted for a few seconds to begin calibration.
Users can now view whether their wireless internet connection is using the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency band under “Connection status” after selecting Internet in System Settings.
The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Nintendo is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.
Improvements Included in Version 12.1.0 (Distributed 06/07/2021)
Added the following system functionality:
- If there is not enough space remaining in the system memory (internal storage) or on the microSD card when downloading software update data, you can now delete old data for the software, enabling you to download the new data.
- When deleting the old data, you won't be able to play the software until the new data has finished downloading.
General system stability improvements to enhance the user experience.
Improvements Included in Version 12.0.3 (Distributed 08/06/2021)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 12.0.2 (Distributed 12/05/2021)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 12.0.1 (Distributed 20/04/2021)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 12.0.0 (Distributed 06/04/21)
We fixed the issue with the save data backup feature, where in rare cases, the automatic backup of save data is interrupted if a communication error occurs during completion of the save data backup process.
- For steps on how to check if the error is occurring or what to do if the error has already occurred, you may find this information helpful.
Improvements Included in Version 11.0.1 (Distributed 11/12/20)
Corrections for the following problems that occurred with system update version 11.0.0:
- Corrected a problem where some games couldn't be played correctly.
- Corrected a problem where, in combination with some TVs, the image would not be displayed in TV mode and an error occurred.
- Corrected a problem which changed how the Control Stick and the C Stick on the Nintendo GameCube controller responded.
Improvements Included in Version 11.0.0 (Distributed 01/12/2020)
Nintendo Switch Online was added to the HOME Menu.
- Access all Nintendo Switch Online services, from getting the latest information to checking your membership status.
*This feature is not available in some countries/regions.
A new feature that automatically downloads backed up save data was added to the Save Data Cloud.
- When using software with the same Nintendo Account linked to multiple consoles, save data backed up from one console will automatically be downloaded to your other console(s).
* To use this feature, it must be enabled under System Settings > Data Management > Save Data Cloud.
* Save data will not be downloaded automatically unless save data for that software exists on the console. The first time only, users must download the save data manually.
* A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to use the Save Data Cloud service.
A new Trending feature was added to the User Page.
- Users can check what software their friends are playing or have started playing recently.
Information will not be displayed for friends who have their online status set to display to no one.
Users can now transfer screenshots and videos from Album to their smart devices.
- Users can wirelessly connect their smart devices to Nintendo Switch to transfer the screenshots and videos saved within their Album.
- For screenshots, users can transfer a maximum of 10 screenshots and 1 video capture at once.
* To connect, users must use their smart device to scan the QR Code displayed on the Nintendo Switch screen.
For more information, please click here.
* “QR Code” is a registered trademark of DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED.
A new Copy to PC via USB Connection feature was added under System Settings > Data Management > Manage Screenshots and Videos.
- Users can use a USB cable to connect Nintendo Switch to their computers to copy the screenshots and videos saved under Album.
* A USB charging cable [model HAC-010] or a USB-IF certified USB cable that supports data transfer is required to connect to a computer.
For more information, please click here.
* Connection via the Nintendo Switch dock is not supported. Please connect the Nintendo Switch console directly to the computer.
Users can now select what download to prioritise when there are multiple downloads in progress.
- When there are multiple software, update data, or downloadable content downloads in progress, users can now select which they want to download first.
- You can set this under Download Options by selecting the icon for the software you want to download first on the HOME Menu.
User icons were added.
- 12 user icons that commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Super Mario Bros. series were added.
Users can now name preset button mappings with the Change Button Mapping feature.
Brazilian Portuguese was added as a supported language.
- When users set their region to the Americas and their language to Português, the language used on the HOME Menu and in certain software will be displayed in Brazilian Portuguese.
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 10.2.0 (Distributed 15/09/2020)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 10.1.0 (Distributed 14/07/2020)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 10.0.4 (Distributed 05/06/2020)
Fixed the following issue:
We have fixed the issue where it was not possible in some countries or regions to add funds using a new credit card or to register credit card information in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch.
Improvements Included in Version 10.0.3 (Distributed 26/05/2020)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 10.0.2 (Distributed 30/04/2020)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience, including a solution for the following:
- We have fixed an issue where a Nintendo Switch console with system version 10.0.0 or 10.0.1 does not set up a new Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, sometimes causing incorrect joystick control.
Improvements Included in Version 10.0.1 (Distributed 22/04/2020)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 10.0.0 (Distributed 14/04/2020)
Added a bookmark feature to News.
This feature allows you to bookmark your favourite news items.
- A maximum of 300 news items can be bookmarked.
- An internet connection is required to view bookmarked news items.
- News items that are no longer available cannot be viewed, even if they were bookmarked.
Added an option to transfer software data between the system memory and a microSD card.
- Users can now transfer downloadable software, update data, and DLC from the system memory to a microSD card (and vice versa).
- Note that save data and some update data cannot be transferred to a microSD card.
Added an option to remap the controller buttons.
- Control stick and button configurations can now be changed for each paired controller.
- Custom configurations can be saved as presets in System Settings > Controllers and Sensors.
- Custom configurations are stored on the Nintendo Switch console.
- Configurations can be customised for the following controllers: Joy-Con (L), Joy-Con (R), Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Button configurations can also be customised on the Nintendo Switch Lite system.
- This feature is not available for other controllers.
- On each console, up to five mapping configurations can be saved as presets for Joy-Con (L), five for Joy-Con (R), and five for Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Five mapping configurations can also be saved as presets on the Nintendo Switch Lite system.
Added a new section in User Settings for Play Activity Settings.
- The options "Who do you want to see your play activity?" and "Delete Play Activity" have been moved from Friends Settings to the new Play Activity Settings.
Added new selections to the lineup of user profile icons.
- Select from six new icons from the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game for your user.
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 9.2.0 (Distributed 03/03/2020)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 9.1.0 (Distributed 05/12/2019)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience, including a solution for the following:
- Resolved an issue where the color animation was not displaying correctly when attaching a Joy-Con controller to the Nintendo Switch console.
Improvements Included in Version 9.0.1 (Distributed 01/10/2019)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience, including a solution for the following:
- Resolved an issue that may have triggered errors during game play.
- Resolved an issue that may display an instruction to remove the Joy-Con during the initial setup of Nintendo Switch Lite.
Improvements Included in Version 9.0.0 (Distributed 09/09/2019)
Added the following system functionality:
- Added a search feature for news channels.
- Channels can be searched using filters or free text.
- Added “Display QR Code for Checking In” to "User Settings" within your user page.
- You can display a QR Code on-screen to check in at events using your Nintendo Account.
- Alarms have been added to "System Settings" > "Notifications".
- You can check or delete pre-set alarms.
- Alarms can be set up only within supported software (to be added at a later time).
- A controller firmware update may be required to use this feature.
- You can now configure touch screen sensitivity settings.
- Select between "Standard" and "Stylus" sensitivity (optimised for stylus input).
- Added the option to turn on/off console button input (Nintendo Switch Lite only).
- When this setting is turned off, the system no longer receives input from its buttons, with the exception of the Capture Button and HOME Button, and can only be operated from a wirelessly paired controller (sold separately).
- This setting is on by default and can only be turned off if a compatible controller (sold separately) is wirelessly paired to the system.
- The setting will automatically turn back on when the system is restarted or when it is woken from sleep mode.
- Added an “Online Play Invitations” section to the user page.
- Invitations to play online with friends in supported software will be displayed in this section.
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
- Resolved an issue where some users couldn't start the Fire Emblem: Three Houses game, and received an error instead.
Improvements Included in Version 8.1.0 (Distributed 18/06/2019)
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 8.0.1 (Distributed 24/04/2019)
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Improvements Included in Version 8.0.0 (Distributed 16/04/2019)
Added the following system functionality:
- A "Sort Software" feature is available after the "All Software" view on the HOME Menu
- Software can be sorted by time last played, total play time, title and publisher
- The "All Software" option displays when there are 13 or more software icons on the HOME Menu
- A "View All Available Articles" option is available within News, allowing you to view all news items currently being distributed
- Go to News > Channel List > View More
- Select from 15 new icons from the Splatoon™ 2 and Yoshi’s Crafted World™ games for your user
- To edit your user icon, head to your user page on the top left of the HOME Menu > Profile
- A new "Transfer Your Save Data" feature is now available and allows you to transfer your save data for individual games between two Nintendo Switch consoles
- Go to System Settings > Data Management > Transfer Your Save Data
- Save data will not remain on the source console after the transfer process is completed
- A "Zoom" feature can be enabled from within System Settings
- Go to System Settings > System to enable zoom
- Once enabled, you can use the zoom feature by pressing the HOME Button twice
- An option is available to prevent the console from waking from sleep mode when the AC adapter is disconnected
- Go to System Settings > Sleep Mode > Wake When AC Adapter is Disconnected
- This also applies when removing your console from the dock
- A "VR Mode (3D Visuals)" restriction is available within Parental Controls
- This will also be available in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app through a later update
- Go to System Settings > Parental Controls
- These settings can also be changed from within Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit
- Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea can now be selected in "Region"
- Go to System Settings > System > Region
- The following names have been changed (functionality remains the same)
- Save Data Cloud Backup > Save Data Cloud
- Transfer Your User and Save Data > Transfer Your User Data
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience
Improvements Included in Version 7.0.1 (Distributed 18/02/2019)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience, including:
- Resolved an issue where the Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! games cannot reconnect to the Pokémon GO app if the game software was closed after pairing with the app.
Improvements Included in Version 7.0.0 (Distributed 29/01/2019)
Added the following system functionality:
- Select from six new New Super Mario Bros.™ U Deluxe icons for your user
- To edit your user icon, head to your user page > Profile on the top left of the HOME Menu
- Added additional language support to the HOME Menu for Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), and Korean
- To change the language, head to the System Settings > System > Language
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience
Improvements Included in Version 6.2.0 (Distributed 19/11/2018)
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience
Improvements Included in Version 6.1.0 (Distributed 29/10/2018)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience, including:
- Resolved an issue where certain games don’t recognise a Nintendo Switch Online membership for a short time after purchase
Improvements Included in Version 6.0.1 (Distributed 08/10/2018)
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience, including:
- Resolved an issue where internet connection test does not display correct results for download and upload speed
- Resolved an issue where some licensed controllers' motion controls such as tilt function responded incorrectly
Improvements Included in Version 6.0.0 (Distributed 19/9/2018)
Nintendo Switch Online* features and functionality have been added, including:
- Save Data Cloud
- Use your internet connection to back up game save data for compatible games
- Some games are not compatible with Save Data Cloud
- To manage save data, head to System Settings > Data Management > Save Data Cloud
*Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online play. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Save Data Cloud available in compatible games. Terms apply. To learn more, click here.
Added the following functionality
- Upload up to four screenshots at once on supported social networks
- Only one captured video can be uploaded at once
- Select from six new Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker icons for your user
- To edit your user icon, open your user page from the top left corner of the HOME Menu, then select "Profile"
- The term "active console" has been changed to "primary console" in Nintendo eShop
- You can play your digital software and content on non-primary consoles by linking your Nintendo Account
- Playing software on multiple consoles has certain restrictions
- The display of articles in News will be limited to match the software restrictions set in Parental Controls
- Please note that the restriction will only apply to news articles distributed after the release of version 6.0.0.
- Change the layout of the USB keyboard to the desired language
- To change the language, head to the System Settings > System > USB Keyboard
Removed the following functionality
- After installing the system update, it will no longer be possible to unlink your Nintendo Account from your user
General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience, including:
- Compatibility improvements have been made for a controller licensed by Nintendo