Hacking Best practice for preserving Switch 2 exploitability?

[octogloom]

there's a video going around of the initial setup, apparently you can set it up without connecting to the internet but many features don't work. still super promising for future exploits.

 

[a_username_that_is_cool]

I would:
* install the day one update
* disconnect from internet
* never touch it again till softmod is outputted
and not link a nintendo account

 

[stephrk398]

Dang, so basically it would have been extra wise to have a MicroSD Express now so you can make sure it's operational along with just the day-1 patch? Whereas ordering one now and having to wait for it to arrive means a new FW version might drop that you'll be forced to jump to when installing it?

 

[octogloom]

Dang, so basically it would have been extra wise to have a MicroSD Express now so you can make sure it's operational along with just the day-1 patch? Whereas ordering one now and having to wait for it to arrive means a new FW version might drop that you'll be forced to jump to when installing it?

i honestly think you shouldn't even install the day 1 update if you want a chance at hacking this thing. if you want to update to enjoy your games then go ahead and play it. however, nintendo is well aware of the previous wii U/switch 1 exploits and they will do everything they can to prevent it this time.

 

[kingaz]

there's a video going around of the initial setup, apparently you can set it up without connecting to the internet but many features don't work. still super promising for future exploits.

It's really not promising at all for future exploits. Smart money is on this being primarily about the Switch 1 compatibility layer; rather than installing it a few months ago in a less mature state, they instead ship it in a launch day patch.

I could be wrong of course, but assuming that a Day 0 patch means there's good chances of a Day 0 vulnerability just is not supported by what we know about the system, the companies making it, and the security measures they have employed.

 

[metaljay]

So I have 2 switches coming on launch day and a physical copy of Mario Kart.
My plan is setup one (no internet) and try launch the physical game, see if it requires me todo some update / connect to the internet. Then keep that also offline (as long as I can until Metroid is released).

Ill keep the second switch 2 in a cupboard waiting for a hack - unless the general guidance is to get the day 0 patch just for the MicroSD Card Express activation?

 

[Lunatics]

I'm torn on whether or not I try to get one of these at launch or shortly after. I always try to get Nintendo consoles at launch for exploitability, but with the route they are going this gen and the massive price increases I would rather just not support them at all to even buy the console, but I know I will miss out on a handful of games I want...Then again with the Steamdeck and current handheld PCs....probably just need another generation of those and they will be able to emulate the switch 2 based on the switch....decisions decisions.

 

[SunnyMoon]

The video about the Console that already is in the wild shows that the Switch 2 allegedly runs on HOS 19.0.0 out of the box (which would match the mentions of „Ounce“ in the Switch 1 updates after 19.0.0

 

[loler55]

The video about the Console that already is in the wild shows that the Switch 2 allegedly runs on HOS 19.0.0 out of the box (which would match the mentions of „Ounce“ in the Switch 1 updates after 19.0.0

View attachment 508334

And someone mean Switch 2 games Work without day one Patch . Only Switch 1 Games dosnt work

 

[ertaboy356b]

2 - Testers that prod the flash storage of the rom chip it immediately locks out the Switch 2, turning it into a brick. Switch 2 detects has some weird protection that it can detect voltage changes that tools cause when scaning the chips, even whn it is minor.

I wonder what will happen if the capacitor craps out down the line. Looks like a point of failure in the future.

 

[pogisanpolo]

I wonder what will happen if the capacitor craps out down the line. Looks like a point of failure in the future.

Would definitely be interesting if it turns out some sort of factory defect in the capacitors bricks a ton of switches.

 

[vampitech]

That seems implausible. They can’t do that in the EU because it’s against the right to repair law. Please, provide your source.

That doesn't care at all to Nintendo, Since they won't brick your console directly. You, the user, are the one trying to modify it, and when they detect this modification, you deliberately alter its original state. Therefore, their security measure is completely valid anywhere. You modify it, you brick it. Period.

 

[EmanueleBGN]

Soldering is difficult for the most, so I think the easiest way will be a cartridge like MIG.
I don't think that there will be a software exploit, there isn't one for Switch.
I will not link my Nintendo Account on a console I want to mod. If there will be an exploit, I could consider to buy a second Switch 2 only for modding.

Meanwhile, I'll keep my 2017 Switch hoping there will still be good Switch games (Pokémon Legends ZA, but I'm disappointed Hyrule Warriors will be a Switch 2 exclusive... and I think Pokémon gen.10 will be a Switch 2 exclusive too)

 

[retrofan_k]

Going to install the day 1 patch, etc, then take it offline for good, unless there is no internet DRM authentication to boot a game, which is something I heard rumoured?

 

[ertaboy356b]

Soldering is difficult for the most, so I think the easiest way will be a cartridge like MIG.
I don't think that there will be a software exploit, there isn't one for Switch.
I will not link my Nintendo Account on a console I want to mod. If there will be an exploit, I could consider to buy a second Switch 2 only for modding.

Meanwhile, I'll keep my 2017 Switch hoping there will still be good Switch games (Pokémon Legends ZA, but I'm disappointed Hyrule Warriors will be a Switch 2 exclusive... and I think Pokémon gen.10 will be a Switch 2 exclusive too)

Didn't MIG Switch was based on some leaked keys that defeated the security of the cartridge reader. If so, as long as Nintendo doesn't commit another blunder via hacking incident, that cartridge slot will be safe and sound.

 

[fallingrat]

That doesn't care at all to Nintendo, Since they won't brick your console directly. You, the user, are the one trying to modify it, and when they detect this modification, you deliberately alter its original state. Therefore, their security measure is completely valid anywhere. You modify it, you brick it. Period.

That’s not how the law or consumer rights work, especially in the EU.

Blaming users for every brick is not only simplistic, it’s both technically and ethically flawed. The risk of accidental bricking during a repair, due to something as minor as a small voltage variation, is real. Users have the right to repair their devices without facing the risk of rendering them unusable.

 

[Deleted member 754542]

I sure hope Mario Kart doesn't require an update to play. At this point we just don't know whether only Switch 1 games require an update to play or if even Switch 2 launch titles require an update.

 

[RexSonic]

Some hackers got their hands on Switch2:

1 - MIG Switch tested and it immediately locks out the Switch 2, turning it into a brick, ends up bootlooping.

2 - Testers that prod the flash storage of the rom chip it immediately locks out the Switch 2, turning it into a brick. Switch 2 detects has some weird protection that it can detect voltage changes that tools cause when scaning the chips, even whn it is minor.

Unless an exploit is found and doesn't result into a brick when implemented it wont happen in a long time, I know 3 testers that were working on hardware and software modding and know what they were doing just find that any work immediately bricks it and Nintendo gave a trouble shooting step to reload the firmware from SD card but it stuck in boot looping.

In the end it had to return to Nintendo and they longer allowed to be testers and had to pay for the console otherwise it will go to small claims court as it has some form of internal reporting that unauthorised use was made.

Apparently a another tester had an early access to a game and it crashed and rebooted but no longer worked until a reihnstall of firmware so it may be a sign that an exploit that triggers a reboot to run unsigned code is out of question as the firmware will refuse to run and needs a clean firmware.

Also FYI reinstalling firmware from SD Card is not offline, it is a generic app that only connects to a Nintendo server to get the latest firmware meaning it doesn't allow to install specific firmware version and no longer can be used as a work around.

Best bet is hope for an emulator and a way to dump Switch 2 roms.

Complete made up nonsense that people for some reason are choosing to believe lol

Post automatically merged: May 31, 2025

I heard a hacker already exploited it and is working on a modchip already but won't give a source or further explanation because I made it up

 

[Newhouse-Estates]

I bought 2 Launch models. I will not use the day 1 patch, I will leave it in the original state first. The thing is, the Switch 2 likely has an internal browser to access hot spots with a login page. This browser should be several months old and could have exploits which build the first entry point.

This was my first thought, I was on the PS5 the other week and found a way into the browser using doom eternal bethesda.net.
Little things like this we should post on here if we find little entry points on the switch 2.

 

[Zoria]

I find this extremely hard to believe, even knox doesn't fully brick a samsung phone, it just mimics the functions of the samsung / samsung pay apps (unless I'm unaware of any recent changes to how they work) Nintendo is clearly going to lose out by doing this, and don't think it could ever make it to Europe.

It just looks like a story to bounce off the CLU and make it interesting.
We'll see when it comes out next week, but we'll know soon enough.