Switch 2 Requires a Firmware Update Out of the Box.

[NyaakoXD]

Spoiler: Old

Looks like they're serious about not letting people keep Switch 2's inside their boxes and staying on lower firmwares.

Spoiler: Old 2

Edit: A bit more info has come up. You can get into the menus and such, but you can't launch games.

Update: Someone showed the entire initial setup process and menus.

 

[alepman90]

Not me, my 2nd Switch 2 would stay on the original firmware, but here's the question: would it require an internet connection to activate the SD card?

 

[Xzi]

I believe it was the same with Switch, though maybe not quite to that same degree.

 

[alepman90]

I believe it was the same with Switch, though maybe not quite to that same degree.

From other tweets, the user inserted a Switch 1 cart, and that required a day 1 patch. Either Switch 1 games need downloading extra files to be emulated on Switch 2, or a Security reason

 

[ut2k4master]

not surprising, this has been the standard for other consoles for at least 2 generations now

 

[Xzi]

From other tweets, the user inserted a Switch 1 cart, and that required a day 1 patch. Either Switch 1 games need downloading extra files to be emulated on Switch 2, or a Security reason

I don't think it's really a big deal from a hacking perspective, if there's an exploit to be found somewhere in the launch firmware, that same exploit will still be present in the first firmware update. It is possible though that the update was for the purpose of detecting/disabling MIG Switch and similar products.

 

[l7777]

Not me, my 2nd Switch 2 would stay on the original firmware, but here's the question: would it require an internet connection to activate the SD card?

They have already said that you need an internet connection to pair the SD card.
https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Hard...o-Switch-2-MicroSD-Express-cards-2785637.html

***Please note: a system update via the internet is required the first time you use a microSD Express card.

 

[NotUsingAnAltAccount]

You won't own anything, even a functional hardware.

 

[sudeki300]

few consoles have had firmware updates / patches at launch, this is nothing new, @I7777 why does the sdcard need pairing, seems like extra bogus DRM by Nintendo, though i'm probab;y wrong

 

[yankii]

Something tells me this isn't legal unless the box says "internet connection required".

Shouldn't affect hardmods so who cares.

 

[RyanTheArchivist]

Something tells me this isn't legal unless the box says "internet connection required".

Shouldn't affect hardmods so who cares.

Most consoles have this exact requirement on launch to stop the systems from leaking out early. Switch did this with firmware 2.0.0 as well. PS5 now requires internet to activate the disc drive, Xbox forces on update required on first boot, etc. But to answer your question yes there is a notice on the box.

Post automatically merged: May 27, 2025

Something tells me this isn't legal unless the box says "internet connection required".

Shouldn't affect hardmods so who cares.

Honestly I'd be amazed if a hardmod happens even in the next few years. The hardware on this thing appears to have lots of modchip protection this time around.

 

[BoxmanWTF]

I wouldn't raise a stink unless you can't start up a Switch 2 Cartridge before updating.

 

[RyanTheArchivist]

I wouldn't raise a stink unless you can't start up a Switch 2 Cartridge before updating.

It was a standard for all Switch 1 cartridges (at least the games on cart) to include the at the time latest system update on them. I'd assume this is still the case.

 

[BoxmanWTF]

It was a standard for all Switch 1 cartridges (at least the games on cart) to include the at the time latest system update on them. I'd assume this is still the case.

That's works for me, just as long as you aren't forced to connect to the internet and download the update right off the bat.
I'm going to update regardless, but out of principle want the device to be able to play its launch titles without an internet connection.

 

[NyaakoXD]

A small info update. You can access the Switch 2 menu without an update, but you can't launch games until you do update:

 

[RyanTheArchivist]

A small info update. You can access the Switch 2 menu without an update, but you can't launch games until you do update:

Makes perfect sense yeah. Chances are their compatibility layer is getting updated super frequently so I wouldn't be shocked if it's checking for the latest build at first game launch or something. Though if Switch 2 carts carry the same standard as Switch 1 carts then the full carts will have system updates on them.

Post automatically merged: May 27, 2025

That's works for me, just as long as you aren't forced to connect to the internet and download the update right off the bat.
I'm going to update regardless, but out of principle want the device to be able to play its launch titles without an internet connection.

I definitely get the desire for this but isn't that a standard for consoles nowadays? PS5 requires an online connection to enable the disc drive and I don't think the Xbox will allow you to even complete setup without one. Even if it did though 99% of the games are digital download on Xbox.

 

[SonicMC]

few consoles have had firmware updates / patches at launch, this is nothing new, @I7777 why does the sdcard need pairing, seems like extra bogus DRM by Nintendo, though i'm probab;y wrong

The original switch 1 needed a small patch to enable exfat.

Though it was said to be needed to use sdxc cards. (which is only in part true as you can format sdxc cards as fat32 and then they would not need said patch to be downloaded on the switch 1).

So this could remain true on switch 2 to enable exfat for game storage.



Though who knows if you can still store games on a fat32 partition on a switch 2. I guess we will find out more next week.

 

[DiscostewSM]

From other tweets, the user inserted a Switch 1 cart, and that required a day 1 patch. Either Switch 1 games need downloading extra files to be emulated on Switch 2, or a Security reason

It's literally for Switch 1 games.

 

[l7777]

few consoles have had firmware updates / patches at launch, this is nothing new, @I7777 why does the sdcard need pairing, seems like extra bogus DRM by Nintendo, though i'm probab;y wrong

That's from Nintendo's documentation and, of course, they don't elaborate on why the internet connection is needed. You can be almost 100% assured though that it's some type of encryption or pairing to the device. I wouldn't be surprised at all if each individual Switch 2 has its own encryption key pair for each individual SD card.

 

[Newhouse-Estates]

Okay so question.
Since i got 2, Would it be better to just keep one of them in the box or update the second one, activate everything on 2.00 and put it back in the box?