Here it is, a significant update for the Nintendo Switch. System software update v20.0.0 has released as of today. This firmware version adds some of the newer features originally teased in the last Nintendo Direct. Virtual Game Cards are now available, allowing players to lend digitally-owned copies of games to those within their Nintendo Account family group. Similarly, Gameshare adds the ability to share their games to nearby other Switch systems. The full list of features are noted on the patch notes from Nintendo.

Ver. 20.0.0 (Released April 29, 2025)​

• 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 Settingshas 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.

For those wondering, yes, this new firmware does break support with Atmosphere, as confirmed by SciresM. For now, you'll have to wait for a new version that supports v20.0.0.

Source

 

[yoyoyo69]

Imagine if an exploit is discovered thanks to the new features

Nintendo don't want any exploits at all, naturally, but they'd much prefer them on Switch, than Switch 2

 

[DKAngel]

Cool, I've totally skipped 19, since no game required it. another useless update anyway.

Useless to you is actually great for me. i have 2 switches with a family account and always hated the fact i couldn't play my games at the same time as the other stitch so now i actually can!

 

[hippy dave]

Wah, my pet Shiggy updated my Switch. Tried scolding him but he was just all like "please understand"

 

[Lazyt]

An possible way to transfer save datas from switch 1 to switch 2? e: i mean atmospehere switch

 

[lordelan]

The switch 2's Gameshare feature working with the OG Switch is really awesome IMO. I never expected any kind of ""download play"" for the switch or switch 2, though I don't expect it to run particularly well input-lag wise.

Wait, I also never expected them to spread this feature to also include the Switch 1, even if at least one Switch 2 is still needed as the "host", that's actually pretty cool.

An possible way to transfer save datas from switch 1 to switch 2?

Yeah, they implemented something in the settings menu to do so.

 

[LucisCaelum]

Where's stability?

 

[LoggerMan]

> 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.

Nice. I can sell my OLED now without worrying about how to backup saves and such.

 

[Skv0ra]

"Virtual Game Cards are now available, allowing players to lend digitally-owned copies of games to those within their Nintendo Account family group."

Hoooooly shit! Fam group supported, what, 8 people?

 

[mathew77]

Is a MIG Switch custom cart support persisted?..

 

[chrisrlink]

> 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.

Nice. I can sell my OLED now without worrying about how to backup saves and such.

well i do have a non modded switch lite with my account on it but my v2 needs to stay on 19 til atmos is fixed

 

[ertaboy356b]

Why even bother updating with 18.0.0 still works just fine? It's been ages since I last updated my Switch.

It depends on your use-case. If you're like me playing games like MH online with friends, then you are obliged to update, otherwise you can just stay to whatever firmware you are right now.

 

[mimi8384]

So theoretically with the SYSTEM TRANSFER function it should be possible in your opinion to transfer saves from a banned SWITCH to SWITCH 2?

 

[SuffahBish]

Oddly enough since fw 5 (I think?) horizon been rock solid on security.

Did you reply to the wrong person? I didn't mention anything about security.

 

[Ferris1000]

Now we need a Tool that allows you to transfer fake Virtual Cards from your PC to the Switch and a Tool that extends the fake Virtual Card indefinitely.

 

[linuxares]

Did you reply to the wrong person? I didn't mention anything about security.

Nono I mean that they might continue to use Horizon since it been so secure.

 

[bootmonster]

Does traditional game sharing still work? i.e. My friends switch is set as my primary switch and vice versa?

 

[Scarlet]

Does traditional game sharing still work? i.e. My friends switch is set as my primary switch and vice versa?

It does not. For one system to access a virtual game card, another system must first relinquish access to it. You can do this manually on the second system, or if the second system is online at the time it'll do it automatically. If it isn't online you get the below message:

I would imagine there is (or will be shortly) a way to go nuclear with relinquishing access like how you could deactivate your primary Switch via the MyNintendo account page once a year. But I would also imagine it'll be similarly restrictive to avoid abuse.

Edit:
I will add that the Virtual Game Card system is actually pretty good in a lot of ways though. Having done a bit of reading on the official page, you basically just have two primary consoles now (with a contingency to avoid you being able to play the same game on two systems when you've only bought it once). Any systems beyond the two you specify just act like secondary accounts with the previous setup, so really it does just seem like a net win,

Edit2:
It's probably worth a secondary addendum to mention that you could probably emulate the game sharing setup you had before by just making your friend's Switch one of the two "primary" systems with game cards. I think I'll do some reading up tonight and write up a post about the ins and outs of the new system tomorrow since it does seem a little obtuse on the surface.

 

[hippy dave]

Where's stability?

Available as an additional subscription for only $50/month.

 

[DM9]

The Switch 2 is definitely looking like the Switch Pro geared more towards gamers while the Switch will now be the dumb down version for younger kids and casual gamers , Nintendo is implementing the steps to work across both systems which is great while also proving Switch 1 may still have plenty in the tank to last a few more years all while never getting a price cut which is absolutely astonishing .

The one thing I do not like about Nintendo when they are on top they can be very corporate cutthroat when it comes to money and nickling diamond customers.

But I am a fan of this key card as opposed to just having a digital file in your library that you can't transfer ownership to.

But when it comes to gaming this whole digital age is a travesty to the consumer absolutely not consumer friendly it's all rental we're eventually some politicians kid is going to have a fit with their parent and somehow this will come to light . There needs to be a law about broken games because at least 90% of games released have a bug. And the fact that less than a year they can turn off online service could also break games trophy program is abuse towards the consumer.

 

[Nephiel]

Useless to you is actually great for me. i have 2 switches with a family account and always hated the fact i couldn't play my games at the same time as the other stitch so now i actually can!

But you still can't... If you lend a virtual card to a 2nd console, then you can't use it on the first one. Or am I misunderstanding how this works?