Unopened Switch 2 should I stay on launch firmware or do the SD update?

[bobbob1016]

I have a Switch 2 that was purchased last week. I have seen people suggest updating to get SD access, but I'm not sure. Do I want to boot it, put in my normal SD formatted to exFAT to get the SD access update and risk 20.1.5 or keep it on launch? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Lostbhoy]

It's entirely upto you. Do we know if and when an exploit /mod/hack will be available?

And i stress the if...

Can you get another to play while this one gathers dust?? It's up to you!

 

[Kraken_X]

Nobody knows at this point. Personally, I'd update it. The firmware is still early enough that there probably isn't much patched in it yet compared to the original, and I think the chance a future exploit will require SD card support or Switch 1 support is high. As a bonus, you can play physical Switch 1 games and Switch 2 launch titles with it offline, so it won't be completely useless while you wait potentially years for an exploit.

 

[l7777]

Just use it and enjoy it. Don't try to predict the future.

 

[PureFallen]

We already had entire threads dedicate do that question:

Hacking  Thread 'Best practice for preserving Switch 2 exploitability?'

May 23, 2025

Heya.

If someone was buying a Switch 2 with the explicit intention of busting it out only if/when it's exploitable, what is the best way to go about it? Polling seems to be a good way to guage responses so please, if you are inclined, make your choice on the above. Following up with reasons for/against your choice would also be appreciated.

Thanks, in advance, for your time.

JP

• JayPea
• Replies: 553
• Forum: Nintendo Switch 2

• 
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Honestly: No one knows. It could be that 19.0.0-20.1.1 have some specific bug that was fixed that could be an entry way.
But at the same time, 20.1.1 onward add a lot of features that themselves could be attack vectors (Switch 1 Emulation) or may be necessary to properly use CFW (SD Card Support). 20.1.5 itself may already fixed stuff. We can just speculate.

Unless you have the disposable money to get several switches through, your best bet is probably to just update it to the latest version you need to play some games (offline) on until we know more.

 

[BigOnYa]

IMO, I'd update and enjoy the new everything, cause its gonna take modchips to do anything else.

 

[Marc_LFD]

IMO, I'd update and enjoy the new everything, cause its gonna take modchips to do anything else.

The only two NS2 games I'm interested in are MKW and DKB, otherwise they're all NS1s and I just see the NS2 as a "Switch Pro."

Nintendo should've launched NS2 with new exclusives than old games ported to the NS2.

 

[quotepelican]

I have a Switch 2 that was purchased last week. I have seen people suggest updating to get SD access, but I'm not sure. Do I want to boot it, put in my normal SD formatted to exFAT to get the SD access update and risk 20.1.5 or keep it on launch? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Personally, and maybe this is just me being doom and gloom, I think you've already blown your opportunity on this. You should have done it when that day one patch was still the latest. If I were in your shoes, I would keep it in box.

 

[ihaveahax]

Best thing you can do is open it up and play it like normal. Don't expect software-based homebrew to happen potentially ever.

 

[TomSwitch]

I have a Switch 2 that was purchased last week. I have seen people suggest updating to get SD access, but I'm not sure. Do I want to boot it, put in my normal SD formatted to exFAT to get the SD access update and risk 20.1.5 or keep it on launch? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Keeping useless version is useless??

Better get to a low version that is usable than to be forced to update to the latest later??

After all you already miss the boat once why not just continue to miss it until kingdom come?

Anyway the hack many never come to you while you still care for it. So just use it like it was designed to be used?