Hacking Best practice for preserving Switch 2 exploitability?

[MadDog8140]

I think there is a much higher chance of Nintendo bricking it this time

 

[PureFallen]

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

In order to force the update with a Non-Express card, you have to format it to exFAT (like you did) and then navigate to the System Settings telling the Switch 2 to attempt to import Photos/Videos from that card.

 

[DbGt]

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

what fw?? if you insert a fat32 formatted microsd express or non express card into a switch 2 that has at least the day one update (20.1.1) or above fw. It absolutely works, no "activiation" or update needed. If you then format the card into exfat then you will need to update to get the exfat license for it to work.

If you just take the sd card out of its box and put it in a switch 2 with fw 20.1.1 or above, it will need the update as practically all sd cards come formatted in exfat

 

[R4ismychildhood]

In order to force the update with a Non-Express card, you have to format it to exFAT (like you did) and then navigate to the System Settings telling the Switch 2 to attempt to import Photos/Videos from that card.

no I was just saying mSDHC & non-express mSDXC are not compatible with SW2, I think someone earlier in this thread thought they don’t need the update (even after the update, it is still only compatible with mSDXC-express) & can just use above
*I'm not talking about triggering the exFAT / express update, which can be done even with mSDHC / non-express mSDXC

Post automatically merged: Jun 21, 2025

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.

did I misread this?

 

[bazooka]

no I was just saying mSDHC & non-express mSDXC are not compatible with SW2, I think someone earlier in this thread thought they don’t need the update (even after the update, it is still only compatible with mSDXC-express) & can just use above
*I'm not talking about triggering the exFAT / express update, which can be done even with mSDHC / non-express mSDXC

Post automatically merged: Jun 21, 2025

did I misread this?

Anyone else confused by this post?

I use my sd card formatted in exfat to trigger the sd card update. Are you saying I will not be able to use an sd express card?

 

[DbGt]

Anyone else confused by this post?

I use my sd card formatted in exfat to trigger the sd card update. Are you saying I will not be able to use an sd express card?

yep, his post will likely confuse people. He misinterpreted previous messages, and hes not talking about sd express, hes talking about normal sd cards, hes saying they are not compatible with switch 2 which is half true as you cannot fully utilize non sd express cards on the system, but switch 2 can read them when transferring images and videos.

you will be able to use sd express, you just needed the day 1 update which you did. and this allows you to use sd express cards (and non express for transferring images) formatted in fat32, but you did also the additional update to get the exfat license, so now you can also use sd express cards (and non express for images transfer) formatted in exfat

 

[R4ismychildhood]

I apologize to everyone if I caused any confusion, my intent was only to make sure no one had the wrong expectation of SD card compatibility with SW2, as what Nintendo is doing this time is quite difficult to understand. Or it's just me being dumb.

 

[Marc_LFD]

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

Mr. Mario is one of the best for hacking tutorials and if he made a tutorial, then it must work.

 

[RexSonic]

Mr. Mario is one of the best for hacking tutorials and if he made a tutorial, then it must work.

Doesn't work

 

[Titania]

Doesn't work

This if for enabling micro sd express, not to use normal micro sd

 

[cm0002]

Sooo I pre-ordered and had my S2 delivered weeks ago on launch day, but I've been away from it traveling and won't be able to get back home to it for a few weeks still

Should I just leave it sealed, chuck it in a closet and forget about it to keep it on launch FW when I get home or update it to whatever FW is out then?

My only interest in it is future exploits, so I have no issues leaving it in a closet for 2 years

 

[Marc_LFD]

Sooo I pre-ordered and had my S2 delivered weeks ago on launch day, but I've been away from it traveling and won't be able to get back home to it for a few weeks still

Should I just leave it sealed, chuck it in a closet and forget about it to keep it on launch FW when I get home or update it to whatever FW is out then?

My only interest in it is future exploits, so I have no issues leaving it in a closet for 2 years

You missed 20.1.1 so now the latest is 20.1.5. It was kind of important to update to 20.1.1 because of the Express card.

 

[l7777]

Sooo I pre-ordered and had my S2 delivered weeks ago on launch day, but I've been away from it traveling and won't be able to get back home to it for a few weeks still

Should I just leave it sealed, chuck it in a closet and forget about it to keep it on launch FW when I get home or update it to whatever FW is out then?

My only interest in it is future exploits, so I have no issues leaving it in a closet for 2 years

Just put it in the closet. Worst case you can sell it as sealed after no hack is found in a few years.

 

[cm0002]

You missed 20.1.1 so now the latest is 20.1.5. It was kind of important to update to 20.1.1 because of the Express card.

Lol yea I was getting that impression, is there any known game carts that have the update for 20.1.1 I could pickup?

Just put it in the closet. Worst case you can sell it as sealed after no hack is found in a few years.

Oh that's a good point, I'll have to keep that in mind

 

[RustyMongoose]

Lol yea I was getting that impression, is there any known game carts that have the update for 20.1.1 I could pickup?


Oh that's a good point, I'll have to keep that in mind

Even if you update to 20.1.1, you'll still have to connect to the internet and download the express card compatibility which is always bundled with the newest firmware. Can't be included on any carts or on the system because of trademarking or something.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Lol yea I was getting that impression, is there any known game carts that have the update for 20.1.1 I could pickup?


Oh that's a good point, I'll have to keep that in mind

I thought about that though since there are very few real physical releases while most are empty online carts, it's unlikely to include 20.1.1.

But @RustyMongoose is right.

 

[OuKKaN]

I bought two Switch 2 consoles on launch day. One is running firmware 20.1.1 with the SD update and a linked Nintendo Account + no internet access. The other is fully updated and online, since that's the one I plan to use for playing new releases.

My question is: for the one on firmware 20.1.1, do I need to charge the battery from time to time, or can I just leave it untouched until there's some progress in the scene (which could take years)? Thanks a lot.

 

[RyanTheArchivist]

I bought two Switch 2 consoles on launch day. One is running firmware 20.1.1 with the SD update and a linked Nintendo Account + no internet access. The other is fully updated and online, since that's the one I plan to use for playing new releases.

My question is: for the one on firmware 20.1.1, do I need to charge the battery from time to time, or can I just leave it untouched until there's some progress in the scene (which could take years)? Thanks a lot.

I suggest every 6 months or so to charge it up a bit just to maintain battery health. Not doing it won't break the entire thing but could definitely hurt the battery lifespan

 

[ceanth]

getting my switch 2 today. Am I right in my understanding that I would have to update to 20.1.5 or is there a way I can apply the day 1 patch 20.1.1 and do the micro SD express update without having to goto 20.1.5?

 

[Yanda]

getting my switch 2 today. Am I right in my understanding that I would have to update to 20.1.5 or is there a way I can apply the day 1 patch 20.1.1 and do the micro SD express update without having to goto 20.1.5?

There is currently no way to get to 20.1.1; it is unlikely that the update, which only lasted two weeks, will be included on the physical card.
And there is no way to enable an SD card without the latest update. You will always need the latest update at the time.
Even if you get 19.0.0 now, it would be practical to get 20.1.5 and enable the SD card. My thoughts.