Table of Contents
Operating System Updates on the Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is capable of updating its operating system over-the-air. By default, updates are downloaded and installed automatically if an internet connection is available. The official update changelog can be found here.
Preventing Automatic Updates
To prevent your device from automatically updating, navigate to System Settings > System on your Switch and switch “Auto-Update Software” to “OFF”. If you have an update already downloaded (noted by “System update is ready” under “System Update” in System Settings > System), you can remove it by holding down the power button and selecting “Reboot” from the prompt that pops up.
To prevent updates from automatically downloading, go to System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings > Connected network/SSID here > Change Settings > DNS Settings > Manual and set your Primary/Secondary DNS to 173.255.238.217.
If you'd like to block updates manually, block this domain via DNS, host file, router firewall, or etc:
atumn.hac.lp1.d4c.nintendo.net
List of OS Updates
| Version | Date | Changelog | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0.0 | The initial version of the operating system that shipped with the Nintendo Switch. | ||
| 2.0.0 | 2017-03-03 | Listed below, due to length. | A “day one” update that added a myriad of features. A captive portal web browser was added as well, but this was not listed in the changelog. |
| 2.1.0 | 2017-03-27 | General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience. | Fixed CVE-2016-4657, breaking PegaSwitch. |
| 2.2.0 | 2017-04-17 | General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience | Nothing noticeable on the surface. It is not yet known what has changed. System update files cannot be downloaded, decrypted, disassembled or diffed yet. |
| 2.3.0 | 2017-05-15 | General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience | Ditto. |
| 3.0.0 | 2017-06-19 | Listed below | Fixes an NS sysmodule bug. |
Additionally, a “System Update” that adds exFAT support will be prompted for if an exFAT-formatted SD card is inserted into the Switch; however, this does not change version information.
Changes in System Version 3.0.0
System Functionality
- Register a channel to receive News for specific games
- To register, head to News > Find Channels
- Add friends from your Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Friend Lists
- To add friends, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Friend Suggestions
- Receive notifications when your Friends go online
- To turn this ON/OFF, head to System Settings > Notifications > Friend Notifications
- Find paired controllers within communication range by activating the vibration feature
- To search, head to Controllers > Find Controllers
- Change the user icon order on the Home Menu
- To change order, head to System Settings > Users > Change Order
- Select from 6 new Splatoon 2 characters for user icon
- To edit your user icon, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Profile
- Change the system volume from the Quick Settings
- To access Quick Settings, hold down the HOME Button
- The maximum volume when using headphones or speakers connected to the audio jack has been raised and can be lowered if desired.
- To lower the max headphone volume, head to System Settings > System > Lower Max Headphone Volume
- This settings will be ON when Parental Controls are enabled
- Change display colors to Invert Colors or Grayscale
- To use this feature, head to System Settings > System > Change Display Colors
- Use the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller via wired communication by connecting the USB charging cable
- To enable, head to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Pro Controller Wired Communication
- The NFC touchpoint on the Pro Controller will be disabled while the controller is using wired communication.
- Update connected controllers
- To update, head to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Update Controllers
- Added a feature that suggests deletion of software data if there is insufficient space when downloading other software
- To use this feature, head to System Settings > Data Management > Quick Archive
- User save data is not deleted
Changes in System Version 2.0.0
A “day one” update, 2.0.0 added many important features:
Network Features
- Playing online
- Online multiplayer available for free until the paid online service launches in fall 2017. Not available in all countries.
- Adding friends
- Friends can be added from My Page, head to the HOME Menu and select your icon on the upper left.
- Sharing Album screenshots to Facebook and Twitter
- Browsing and purchasing content on Nintendo eShop
- Receiving News relating to games, Nintendo eShop discounts, and promotions
- Earning My Nintendo points for game card (retail version)
System Functionality
- Turn on the TV automatically when placing the Nintendo Switch console in the Nintendo Switch dock.
- HDMI settings must also be enabled on your TV. Some TV models may be unable to use this feature. To turn on this feature for the Nintendo Switch console, head to System Settings > TV Settings > Match TV Power State
- Display the battery percentage on the HOME Menu
- To turn this ON/OFF, head to System Settings > System > Console Battery (%)
- Format the microSD card
- To format, head to System Settings > System > Initialize > Format microSD Card
