Hacking Best practice for preserving Switch 2 exploitability?

[Blythe93]

Now the moment of truth has come for me: I have two Switch 2 consoles here — one is still sealed in its original packaging, the other is on firmware 20.1.1 and is now prompting for an update. I’ve reset the console to factory settings to get rid of the nag screen (which worked), but now I have to decide whether to:

a) Leave one Switch in the closet and block updates on the other by disabling the internet

b) Leave one Switch in the closet and simply update the other to 20.1.5

c) Start using the sealed Switch and update it to 20.1.5 while keeping the other one on 20.1.1

What would you do with regard to potential future exploits?

Thanks in advance!

I'd go with the option a) personally since you have two Switch 2s.

EDIT: Sorry for the double post. Weird to see that they didn't automerge, probably something going on in the background?

 

[TeleTubby666]

I'd go with the option a) personally since you have two Switch 2s.

I’m leaning that way too — even if it’s mostly just procrastination

 

[PureFallen]

Hello guys, I have a bit of an issue with my switch 2, I'm on 20.1.1 but since 20.1.15 came out every time I take the console out of sleep or open a game I get the message to update the firmware and need to press up to cancel (if i just press A out of habit it will update), my gf also uses the console so I believe she might press update by mistake.

Is there any way to stop this message from appearing so I can stay in this firmware for now?

Recovery Mode Trick from Switch 1 still works.

0. Disconnect your console from internet so it doesn't download the firmware update each time after you cleared it.

1. Hold the POWER Button to bring up the advanced Power Management Menu
2. Select "Power Options" and then "Power Off" (not just Standby!)
3. Hold VOL+ and VOL- on the console. Keep it holding until told otherwise further below.
4. Press the POWER Button
5. If done right, Recovery Mode should appear. You can now let go from the Volume Buttons. Keep in mind the console can not connect to the dock like this
6. Press the POWER Button to leave the Recovery Mode. No action inside the menu is required.
7. Turn on the console regularly

The queued Firmware Update should be gone now.

Video Instructions below for how to entering Recovery Mode:

 

[Blythe93]

I’m leaning that way too — even if it’s mostly just procrastination

Sadly, it's all just a guesswork.

19.0.0 is the lowest firmware your Switch 2 can be on. Sadly, Switch 1 games do not work on it nor can you use microSD card slot.
20.1.1 was the lowest firmware you could update to on day 1 which did allow Switch 1 games to work (including MIG Switch and alike) as well as use of microSD card slot.
20.1.5 is currently the latest and lowest you can update to.

It mainly comes down to weather you'd like to play whichever Switch 1 games you have on your Switch 2 (or MIG Switch which might get your console banned) and have a microSD Express card slot working and enabled or stay on the lowest possible firmware, hoping that an exploit is found later sometime (it might take months, years even).

If I had 2 Switch 2s, I'd update one to the 20.1.5 (or 20.1.1 previously), enable microSD card slot and put all of my games onto it, download the latest update and turn off the Internet connection afterwards. As for the other, I'd leave it on 19.0.0. It shouldn't be too hard to update the console to the higher firmware via game cartridge since, apparently, Mario Kart World for example comes with the 19.1.0 update on it. I believe that there will be more games with the higher firmware updates on them included so updating to a certian firmware shouldn't be a trouble. Switch 1 games can be updated by matching a game version locally between Switch 1 (preferrably modded one) and a Switch 2.

 

[Prof0nWear]

Hello guys, I have a bit of an issue with my switch 2, I'm on 20.1.1 but since 20.1.15 came out every time I take the console out of sleep or open a game I get the message to update the firmware and need to press up to cancel (if i just press A out of habit it will update), my gf also uses the console so I believe she might press update by mistake.

Is there any way to stop this message from appearing so I can stay in this firmware for now?

No, make sure automatic firmware is switched off, also try resetting your device to clear the firmware message.

 

[RednaxelaNnamtra]

Increased attention to the software to be honest.
I not want to step the experts on the toes here, but aside from the software being "unhackable" past a certain point, what probably added to no software exploits being discovered was probably also a lack of demand. Everyone who wanted to run CFW on their Switch 1 either invested into a RCM-able console or a mod chip that enabled to do similar things on future devices.

Now that RCM is not possible on Switch 2 though, there will be actual demand for other ways and there will be increased attention and effort behind looking at the software again. Looking how security is a process and not a "state" one can accomplish, I am certain that the software Switch 2 will be hacked at some point. The quest should be rather whenever this happens within a relevant lifespan, such as the lifespan or the console or the timeframe in which games can still be downloaded from the eShop for preservation purposes.

Pretty sure there was already an increased interest in finding exploits since the moment we knew the switches successor would run HOS (so since far over a year ago). So it still being regarded as unlikely to be exploited by software to allow CFW, likely is not a demand problem, and more a problem created by the pretty limited attack surface we have in the switch OS to get high privileges.
People will look into the stuff added for the switch 2, and maybe we are lucky, but its still unlikely.

In terms of hardware hacks, people will look into that too, but with all the glitching mitigations, its unclear if we will get a simple, mobile and reliable modchip solution like we got for mariko.
Getting some hardware solution on the other side is likely, since more complex setup will be able to do more advanced glitching attacks, but how expensive, complex to setup and reliable to boot that solution will be, is another question.

 

[Marc_LFD]

More banned consoles:

 

[Marc_LFD]

Banned Switches are pretty much useless, unless it becomes hackable:

 

[kylum]

Well I waited for my SD express card to come in before going ahead and updating to 20.1.1 on my second unopened unit for the Express card update. It came in yesterday and I checked online for current firmware and everywhere stated 20.1.1. When I got home I Updated and firmware version showed 20.1.5 and I checked what version my main unit version was on prior to updating the second unit. 20.1.5 literally dropped in that 30 min window between checking my main unit that I will be keeping up to date and contemplating on updating for the SD update. Grrr

So what to do…?
I have one console on 20.1.5 with the MicroSD Express update not linked to any account. The other is on 20.1.1 without MicroSD express update linked with NSO and other digital content.

I decided to update because I believe if there ever is an exploit the MicroSD update will be required and devs in my opinion may not be able to supply a solution for the MicroSd update. Though that is really anyone’s guess at this point.

 

[kylum]

Double post. Sorry

 

[stuhyde]

Double post. Sorry

I went and bought a 256GB Express card a few weeks ago and updated both my 'used' console and 'boxed' console to 20.1.1 with SD function
The 20.1.5 that came out today is not required to stay online so left both at 20.1.1 for now and just updated MKW on my main Switch 2 to 1.1.1.

 

[kylum]

I went and bought a 256GB Express card a few weeks ago and updated both my 'used' console and 'boxed' console to 20.1.1 with SD function
The 20.1.5 that came out today is not required to stay online so left both at 20.1.1 for now and just updated MKW on my main Switch 2 to 1.1.1.

Good to know. However, for those wanting to update the SD Express side it will force 20.1.5. So unless your good with that, dont!

 

[zulu]

Hello guys, I'm reading you for days now. I wasn't planning to get any switch 2 right now (was waiting for DK and Metroid) but I changed my mind few days ago in case of future modding possibility. So before last Nintendo direct I was planning to get 2 consoles in the next days, update them to 20.1.1 with SD update and store one but now with new firmware plans has changed.
Do you think is it worth to get both of them ? If yes what would be the best to do (one would be at least updated for future games) but keep in 20.1.5 but it's more about the second one. Keep it sealed, or with SD update and 20.1.5 or to only get one ? I know that every one is wondering about the exact same thing (I've read all answers of this thread and of other topics) in this thread but I would like to get different points of view. I was planning to get them tomorrow morning before work .
Thanks

 

[ihaveahax]

It's not worth getting a console and waiting for it to be hacked as it is very unlikely softmods will happen ever. If there is any homebrew it's almost certainly going to be hardware (which is also unlikely due to various anti-glitching features). https://blog.ihaveahax.net/2025/06/03/more-details-on-why-the-nintendo-switch-2-may-not-be-hacked/

 

[seany1990]

It's not worth getting a console and waiting for it to be hacked

Even if its never hacked, it was still worth the purchase in just following the scene
I have to have skin in the game to care.

 

[RyanTheArchivist]

Pretty sure there was already an increased interest in finding exploits since the moment we knew the switches successor would run HOS (so since far over a year ago). So it still being regarded as unlikely to be exploited by software to allow CFW, likely is not a demand problem, and more a problem created by the pretty limited attack surface we have in the switch OS to get high privileges.
People will look into the stuff added for the switch 2, and maybe we are lucky, but its still unlikely.

In terms of hardware hacks, people will look into that too, but with all the glitching mitigations, its unclear if we will get a simple, mobile and reliable modchip solution like we got for mariko.
Getting some hardware solution on the other side is likely, since more complex setup will be able to do more advanced glitching attacks, but how expensive, complex to setup and reliable to boot that solution will be, is another question.

Yeah this is definitely going to be by far the toughest Nintendo system to crack yet

 

[DbGt]

Well I waited for my SD express card to come in before going ahead and updating to 20.1.1 on my second unopened unit for the Express card update. It came in yesterday and I checked online for current firmware and everywhere stated 20.1.1. When I got home I Updated and firmware version showed 20.1.5 and I checked what version my main unit version was on prior to updating the second unit. 20.1.5 literally dropped in that 30 min window between checking my main unit that I will be keeping up to date and contemplating on updating for the SD update. Grrr

So what to do…?
I have one console on 20.1.5 with the MicroSD Express update not linked to any account. The other is on 20.1.1 without MicroSD express update linked with NSO and other digital content.

I decided to update because I believe if there ever is an exploit the MicroSD update will be required and devs in my opinion may not be able to supply a solution for the MicroSd update. Though that is really anyone’s guess at this point.

Switch can use FAT32 sd cards without additional updates. I havent seen anyone confirm this for the switch 2 but im pretty sure this is also the case. micro sd express are only faster sd cards, theres no other thing special about them. The "activation" that needs an update is for getting the exfat license, which was also the case with switch 1. So you could format your sd card express to FAT32 and it will most certainly work in your switch without the need to do any additional updates. Micro sd express support was added in fw 20.1.0

 

[drowzeehypno]

Switch can use FAT32 sd cards without additional updates. I havent seen anyone confirm this for the switch 2 but im pretty sure this is also the case. micro sd express are only faster sd cards, theres no other thing special about them. The "activation" that needs an update is for getting the exfat license, which was also the case with switch 1. So you could format your sd card express to FAT32 and it will most certainly work in your switch without the need to do any additional updates. Micro sd express support was added in fw 20.1.0

Can anyone confirm this

 

[xadra]

Can anyone confirm this

It was already tested earlier in the thread. Some days after Sw2 launched.

 

[R4ismychildhood]

Can anyone confirm this

I confirm if you insert a microSDHC / non-express microSDXC into a SW2, it does not work

doesn’t matter with or without the exFAT update