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Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 firmware update 22.0.0 released

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Both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 have received a major firmware update, bumping the systems to version 22.0.0. Though the changes made to the original Switch console are minimal, the Switch 2 got a surprising new addition in in Handheld Game Boost. For the price of higher power usage when in handheld mode, you're now able to have non-upgraded Switch games believe they're playing in docked mode when on the go. Through this you'll see a bump to the targeted resolution in many games, with many now making use of the Switch 2's 1080p display.

When making use of this feature, attached Joy Cons will be interpreted as a Pro Controller. Though this will be compatible with the majority of games, some notable titles like the Pokemon Let's Go games will not function properly due to a lack of support. At this time there is no per-game toggle, requiring you to head into your settings to disable the boost. This new option can be found at the bottom of the System tab in System Settings.

The full changelog for both systems can be found below:

Nintendo Switch 2:
Ver. 22.0.0 (Released March 16, 2026)
  • Changed the on-screen text and animations when you load a virtual game card in the HOME Menu.
  • Added the ability to save notes about friends on your Friend List. The note content is not displayed to friends.
  • Added the ability to see and edit these notes from the Nintendo Switch App. The app must be on version 3.3.0 or higher to use this feature.
  • The following features were added to support GameChat:
    • Added the ability to invite friends to GameChat rooms you’re participating in. Some friends may not be able to be invited, such as supervised accounts.
    • Friends that haven't finished GameChat initial setup can now be invited to GameChat. Some friends may not be able to be invited, such as supervised accounts or those who haven’t used a Nintendo Switch 2.
    • It may take a while for this change to be reflected after updating your console to system version 22.0.0.
    • Improvements were made to the quality of the game screen shared in a GameChat when expanded.
  • Added the ability to rewind 10 seconds/advance 10 seconds with the ZL and ZR Buttons when watching a full screen video in News or Nintendo eShop.
  • Added the option to add the following data to “Automatic Uploads” from Album.
  • Clip Video, Video saved as a screenshot, and screenshot with added text.
  • Added Portuguese (Portugal) and Russian to “GameChat Voice ⇔ Speech to Text” languages in Accessibility.
  • Text-to-Speech, under Accessibility, can now read the text in Album and during first-time setup.
    • Please see Nintendo Switch 2 First-Time Setup and Connection for instructions on how to turn text-to-speech on in the first-time setup.
  • Added the ability to see the breakdown of storage capacity by data type for the system memory and microSD Express card.
  • Added the ability to perform an audio test when “Linear PCM 5.1 Surround” is selected for TV Sound in Audio.
  • Changed the "Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea" region to "Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea/South East Asia" in Device.
  • Added “Handheld Mode Boost” to Nintendo Switch Software Handling in System.
    • Handheld Mode Boost will cause compatible Switch software to run as if in TV Mode, so certain functionality may be affected. Please see the on-device description for more details.
  • The following features were added to Airplane Mode:
    • When Airplane Mode is activated, the previously set preferences for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC while in Airplane Mode will be saved and applied.
    • Added the ability to individually enable or disable Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC during Airplane Mode from the Quick Settings.
  • Added the ability to see a notification in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device application when the Parental Controls PIN is input successfully on the console. This can also be set up to be a push notification to your smart device.
    • The app must be on version 2.4.0 or higher to use this functionality.
  • General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Nintendo Switch:
22.0.0 (Release date: March 17, 2026)
  • We have adjusted the guidance and visuals when inserting a virtual game card in the HOME menu.
  • We've added a feature to the "Friend List" on your My Page that allows you to save personal notes for each friend.
    • The contents of your notes will not be visible to your friends or other users.
  • You can also view and edit notes in the "Friends" section of the Nintendo Switch App smartphone app.
    • You need to update the Nintendo Switch App to version 3.3.0 or higher.
  • The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smartphone app now displays a message indicating that the parental control password has been successfully entered on the console.
    • You will need to update 'Nintendo Parental Controls for Switch' to version 2.4.0 or later (scheduled for release at a later date).
    • You can also receive a push notification on your smartphone when you successfully enter the PIN for the monitoring settings.
  • We have fixed several issues and improved operational stability.
Click to expand...

This is the first major update since the retirement of SciresM. As always, it is advised to wait before updating your Nintendo Switch as this new firmware has been reported to break Atmosphere.

:arrow: Nintendo Switch Update Information
:arrow: Nintendo Switch 2 Update Information
 
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Click to expand...
jt_1258 said:
I switch update...that actually adds new stuff? and good stuff at that with doing docked mode undocked for switch games on the switch 2? hell must have frozen over or something
Click to expand...
the switch 1 additions are just a few things ported from the switch 2 update

the switch 2 update actually has some neat stuff (like the handheld boost mode)
 
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x65943 said:
SciresM has already said he won't be the one to fix this, and there is no clear successor at least as of now

as such, there is no guarantee even 1 month from now that there will be a workaround - we are in no man's land
Click to expand...

I read that SciresM will no longer be working on Atmosphere. Is it true that no one else has decided to continue updating it as of now? Typically after a week or so they require you to update to use online. Since I need to use my Switch online, I fear next week I will no longer be able to use Atmosphere.
 
PKM190 said:
I read that SciresM will no longer be working on Atmosphere. Is it true that no one else has decided to continue updating it as of now? Typically after a week or so they require you to update to use online. Since I need to use my Switch online, I fear next week I will no longer be able to use Atmosphere.
Click to expand...
I'm not in the scene myself

but from my reading of the reswitched discord, there is no one else currently in charge or actively working on a fix
 
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x65943 said:
SciresM has already said he won't be the one to fix this, and there is no clear successor at least as of now

as such, there is no guarantee even 1 month from now that there will be a workaround - we are in no man's land
Click to expand...
I'm upset he didn't find a successor before retiring. Lame move, really.
 
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Jayro said:
I'm upset he didn't find a successor before retiring. Lame move, really.
Click to expand...
I'm sure it's not on purpose - but it's a thankless job afterall that he did for free for years

all I can say is, thanks sciresm
 
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And this is where Atmosphere ends unless someone picks up the support. :(
Any kid, pet, or grandmother accidentally updating your switch.... its game over for you
 
jt_1258 said:
I switch update...that actually adds new stuff? and good stuff at that with doing docked mode undocked for switch games on the switch 2? hell must have frozen over or something
Click to expand...
Handheld boost mode is the real Switch 2 Upgrade for Xenoblade Chronicles X
 
x65943 said:
I'm not in the scene myself

but from my reading of the reswitched discord, there is no one else currently in charge or actively working on a fix
Click to expand...
how do you even acces reswitched all i get the rules page which says to ust the first character of my server name in a message then at the end it says if you did gain acces to the other channels you failed the test im sorry but this has me super confused please help thanks
 
froggy55 said:
how do you even acces reswitched all i get the rules page which says to ust the first character of my server name in a message then at the end it says if you did gain acces to the other channels you failed the test im sorry but this has me super confused please help thanks
Click to expand...
1. read the rules
2. if you can't figure that out, then you aren't allowed to join

I promise you if you read the rules you can join - the instructions are all there
 
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Jayro said:
I'm upset he didn't find a successor before retiring. Lame move, really.
Click to expand...

I'm thankful for the support all those years, not sure lame is the word I'd use, but I too had hoped there was some notification beforehand to other contributors. Maybe there was though. Just wish there were some other people who were prepared to start transitioning to take over the majority of the work.

x65943 said:
I'm not in the scene myself

but from my reading of the reswitched discord, there is no one else currently in charge or actively working on a fix
Click to expand...

Let us hope someone out there is working on an update, but it does seem bleak.

I assume this update does break Atmosphere. For someone that frequently plays online but uses Atmosphere for other things, this is quite the shock. Been using Atmosphere since I got my Switch.
 
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PKM190 said:
I'm thankful for the support all those years, not sure lame is the word I'd use, but I too had hoped there was some notification beforehand to other contributors. Maybe there was though. Just wish there were some other people who were prepared to start transitioning to take over the majority of the work.



Let us hope someone out there is working on an update, but it does seem bleak.

I assume this update does break Atmosphere. For someone that frequently plays online but uses Atmosphere for other things, this is quite the shock. Been using Atmosphere since I got my Switch.
Click to expand...
yes it's confirmed broken, see my earlier post

x65943

Post in thread 'Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 firmware update 22.0.0 released'

Screenshot from a user out in the wild who accidentally updated:
1773713689082.png
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x65943 said:
1. read the rules
2. if you can't figure that out, then you aren't allowed to join

I promise you if you read the rules you can join - the instructions are all there
Click to expand...
ok i found this SHA3_384 hex digest of your discord "username can you tell me how to access of find the sha3_384 hex digest thanks
 
froggy55 said:
ok i found this SHA3_384 hex digest of your discord "username can you tell me how to access of find the sha3_384 hex digest thanks
Click to expand...
google is your friend

the entire point of this is to weed out people who can't figure out how to get in

so I'm not going to break their rules - but it's very trivial and easy

sorry mate

edit: you won't find any new information there anyway I promise
 
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