Hacking Best practice for preserving Switch 2 exploitability?

[Marc_LFD]

Is there a DNS blocker for the console?

 

[Xalusc]

Tried it, it just copied the files from sd card and wanted to restart. No mention of an update or whatsoever.

The SD needs to be formatted as exFAT, too.

 

[lupus77]

The SD needs to be formatted as exFAT, too.

Thank you. This was it. I got an update prompt!

 

[ChibiMofo]

I got mine updated to the day 1 update last night just to install the couple legit games I owned on my Switch 1 and then put everything in airplane mode and forgot my wifi networks.

I may try to do this SD Card trick tonight because I would love for that to be active, but also really not ready to spend another hefty investment on an "express" sd card after Nintendo already extorted me once this week unexpectedly.

You should look up big words like "extorted" before ever using them again. Nintendo did NOT extort you, nor are they in any position to do so. And I really hope you understand why an express card is essential for any gaming platform that is going to load modern games off SD cards. You can buy non-Nintendo branded express cards if it makes you feel better, but it would have been incredibly dumb for Nintendo to engineer the Switch 2 to use the ancient/slow circa 2012 SD cards that the Switch 1 used. They are not going to make a fortune due to their wise decision to require cards fast enough to be used on an advanced gaming device like Switch 2.

And since there are so many of you here who cannot adjust prices for inflation because they were never taught, note that $60 for a Switch 1 game in 2017 (like Mario Kar 8 Deluxe) is EXACTLY the same price as $80 for a Switch 2 game in June 2025 (like Mario Kart World). It is mindblowing how many streamers, so-called journalists and gamerboys can't do this simple math and learn not to incessantly whine about Nintendo actually not raising game prices over 2017 at all. It's embarrassing and needs to stop. (The $299 price of the Switch 1, by the way, is the same as $400 in June 2025 dollars. Meaning that you are getting the bigger screen, 8 times the storage which happens to be much faster, the dock with a fan, etc. for only $50 more than the Switch 1. Again, so embarrassed for gamers seeing them whine about the price!!!)

Post automatically merged: Jun 6, 2025

I wonder how much of the Switch 2 firmware is in the Switch firmware. Since they seem to overlap a lot with versions etc.

The fact that the CPU is not compatible with the original Switch, and most of the other hardware has changed, I'd say virtually none of it. This hardware absolutely requires a different firmware to control the hardware. Version numbers are whatever Nintendo chooses to assign to them.

 

[Marc_LFD]

You should look up big words like "extorted" before ever using them again. Nintendo did NOT extort you, nor are they in any position to do so. And I really hope you understand why an express card is essential for any gaming platform that is going to load modern games off SD cards. You can buy non-Nintendo branded express cards if it makes you feel better, but it would have been incredibly dumb for Nintendo to engineer the Switch 2 to use the ancient/slow circa 2012 SD cards that the Switch 1 used. They are not going to make a fortune due to their wise decision to require cards fast enough to be used on an advanced gaming device like Switch 2.

And since there are so many of you here who cannot adjust prices for inflation because they were never taught, note that $60 for a Switch 1 game in 2017 (like Mario Kar 8 Deluxe) is EXACTLY the same price as $80 for a Switch 2 game in June 2025 (like Mario Kart World). It is mindblowing how many streamers, so-called journalists and gamerboys can't do this simple math and learn not to incessantly whine about Nintendo actually not raising game prices over 2017 at all. It's embarrassing and needs to stop. (The $299 price of the Switch 1, by the way, is the same as $400 in June 2025 dollars. Meaning that you are getting the bigger screen, 8 times the storage which happens to be much faster, the dock with a fan, etc. for only $50 more than the Switch 1. Again, so embarrassed for gamers seeing them whine about the price!!!)

You make a good point, but $80/£75/€90 is just a very high price for people in general. It's a hobby so they have to make wise decisions about how they'll go about it.

That aside, I just hate the red cases and the giant red NS2 border on the covers it's such a waste of space when it could be used for more cover artwork.

This is the reversible/inside of the MKW case...

God, that looks horrible. Was Nintendo reminiscing the good ol' days of the Virtual Boy?

 

[cjacobs00]

There is an update you can trigger using an exFAT regular microSD.

But we don’t know if it’s the same update that enables microSD Express cards.

I am able to confirm this:

• Unboxed
• Applied Day 1 update to 20.1.1
• Navigated to the "Manage Screenshots and Videos->Import from Switch microSD" and inserted normal exFat formatted microSD (empty) into device.
• Prompted to update again immediately, very quick update, then a reboot.
• Went back to "Manage Screenshots and Videos->Import from Switch microSD"
• Claimed that the microSD was empty (correct) without immediate prompt for update.
• Purchased a cheap Walmart microSD Express, same day delivery.
• Inserted into machine while in Airplane Mode, read the correct size and insisted on a reboot (I think to initialize the card to be honest).
• Shows up correctly under Data Management, all while in Airplane Mode.

Hope this helps anyone else who has some doubts. I will also box the machine and pray for an exploit.

 

[theanine]

Additionally, it is not necessary to go through the pairing process for each mSD express card. Once you insert an mSD express card while online and update the console, you won't be required to perform additional updates or pairing processes when inserting a new card. Moreover, you can also perform this update using an mSD card instead of an mSD express card in the settings.

 

[gnosagent44]

You should look up big words like "extorted" before ever using them again. Nintendo did NOT extort you, nor are they in any position to do so. And I really hope you understand why an express card is essential for any gaming platform that is going to load modern games off SD cards. You can buy non-Nintendo branded express cards if it makes you feel better, but it would have been incredibly dumb for Nintendo to engineer the Switch 2 to use the ancient/slow circa 2012 SD cards that the Switch 1 used. They are not going to make a fortune due to their wise decision to require cards fast enough to be used on an advanced gaming device like Switch 2.

And since there are so many of you here who cannot adjust prices for inflation because they were never taught, note that $60 for a Switch 1 game in 2017 (like Mario Kar 8 Deluxe) is EXACTLY the same price as $80 for a Switch 2 game in June 2025 (like Mario Kart World). It is mindblowing how many streamers, so-called journalists and gamerboys can't do this simple math and learn not to incessantly whine about Nintendo actually not raising game prices over 2017 at all. It's embarrassing and needs to stop. (The $299 price of the Switch 1, by the way, is the same as $400 in June 2025 dollars. Meaning that you are getting the bigger screen, 8 times the storage which happens to be much faster, the dock with a fan, etc. for only $50 more than the Switch 1. Again, so embarrassed for gamers seeing them whine about the price!!!)

Post automatically merged: Jun 6, 2025

The fact that the CPU is not compatible with the original Switch, and most of the other hardware has changed, I'd say virtually none of it. This hardware absolutely requires a different firmware to control the hardware. Version numbers are whatever Nintendo chooses to assign to them.

Have wages been keeping up with inflation and all the aggressive Q.E policies from the Fed in the US? If not, it's absolutely not the same and many people are right to complain. Middle and lower classes especially, tell them if $80 is the same as $60 from 8 years ago. Let's not even talk about non-US residents. Where I live, a brand new switch 2 console bundled with Mario Kart World costs 500€, which is roughly $560-$570.

 

[Deleted member 671446]

And since there are so many of you here who cannot adjust prices for inflation because they were never taught, note that $60 for a Switch 1 game in 2017 (like Mario Kar 8 Deluxe) is EXACTLY the same price as $80 for a Switch 2 game in June 2025 (like Mario Kart World). It is mindblowing how many streamers, so-called journalists and gamerboys can't do this simple math and learn not to incessantly whine about Nintendo actually not raising game prices over 2017 at all. It's embarrassing and needs to stop. (The $299 price of the Switch 1, by the way, is the same as $400 in June 2025 dollars. Meaning that you are getting the bigger screen, 8 times the storage which happens to be much faster, the dock with a fan, etc. for only $50 more than the Switch 1. Again, so embarrassed for gamers seeing them whine about the price!!!)

Post automatically merged: Jun 6, 2025

C'mon, this story again. What was your wage in 2017 and what is your salary now? Is adjusted by inflation? In most countries, the wage gap between 2017-2025 is pretty the same. Here the source, even if is US only

Beside, it is confirmed the hardware is 2 years old already: why justify the price hike as consumer?

 

[octogloom]

Keep it sealed or never connect it to the internet in any way (unless they rigged it somehow where they force you to). But who knows. Maybe once modchips become available to dodge every loophole it shouldn't be an issue.

this is what i'm hoping for, i think updating the console when softmods weren't really a thing on switch 1 is just asking for issues later on.

 

[Seraphic]

Have two, one updated with express card update and a second still not arrived yet. For the second, was originally not going to update, but not sure now. Reading more into this, if you don't update express slot is UN-activated and game slot does not fully work (no switch 1 games). Might be an issue later.

 

[Chocoburger]

Read the whole thread, here's what I've learned. I bought three Switch 2, all arrived on 19.0.0 firmware. I also bought the Mario Kart World cartridge, which doesn't work on 19.0.0, however there is a firmware update on the cartridge which updated the console to 19.1.0, and now the game version 1.00 will play. So we can indeed update the firmware via cartridge and it shouldn't require an online connection, which means, we can update to a specific firmware in the future if we can get our hands on the physical cartridge.

Firmware 19.1.0 doesn't allow for exfat or express SD card support, you'll have to update to 20.1.1 for that feature.

The first Switch 2 I updated online to 20.1.1, downloaded game patches and demos, and linked a throw-away Nintendo account to it, as well as enabled exfat + express SD card support, using the method described in this thread.

The second Switch 2 is currently on 19.1.0, and the third Switch is still on 19.0.0. I'm thinking that I should update at least two Switches to 20.1.1, link accounts to them (not my main one that I don't want to have banned, just in case), and add SD card support.

But what about the third one? Keep it on 19.0.0, or 20.1.1, that's the one I'm unsure about.

 

[stephrk398]

Have two, one updated with express card update and a second still not arrived yet. For the second, was originally not going to update, but not sure now. Reading more into this, if you don't update express slot is UN-activated and game slot does not fully work (no switch 1 games). Might be an issue later.

Same boat. Just got my second one today and not sure what to do. What's interesting is the standalone version doesn't have a sticker seal like the MKW bundle. So there isn't that crucial decision about breaking a seal. A person could still pass it off as "new" whereas a broken seal proves it's been opened.

 

[octogloom]

Have two, one updated with express card update and a second still not arrived yet. For the second, was originally not going to update, but not sure now. Reading more into this, if you don't update express slot is UN-activated and game slot does not fully work (no switch 1 games). Might be an issue later.

per the nintendo website, the switch 2 can read videos and images from a normal micro SD card. so it can parse data from a normal micro SD stock. IF on the unlikely chance there happens to be a softmod available, i don't think the exploit would require you to have a microSD express card specifically. more than likely it'll be a hardware mod, but only time will tell.

 

[Seraphic]

Same boat. Just got my second one today and not sure what to do. What's interesting is the standalone version doesn't have a sticker seal like the MKW bundle. So there isn't that crucial decision about breaking a seal. A person could still pass it off as "new" whereas a broken seal proves it's been opened.

Yeah, my base model had no seal which seemed odd.

per the nintendo website the switch 2 can read videos and images from a normal micro SD card. so it can parse data from a normal micro SD stock. IF on the unlikely chance there happens to be a softmod available, i don't think the exploit would require you to have a microSD express card specifically. more than likely it'll be a hardware mod, but only time will tell.

I just picked up a cheap 256gb express from walmart, just to get the update.

 

[xFlesk]

i have read entire thread and im stuck
what to do best ? update with sd card or not ?
im thinking what would happen if i do not apply sd card now but after few years ?

 

[lupo90]

I would like to stay on stock FW, and From what I understood, there's no way to know today if we can replicate the day 1 update at a later point (in case it will be needed for sd exploits).

In particular I wonder:
- will later games have only this update.
- will it be possible to sideload it.
- Do we need a Nintendo account to install this update, causing a situation similar to ps5 digital to enable the optical disc, requiring to update to the latest firmware and logging to ps n?


After all, if we can narrow down that somehow this update was installable, then staying on stock could be the best choice.

I really have the impression N screwed up on stock and we are yet to know how.

In comparison, day 1 update gives in the meanwhile:
- sw2 games up to that fw
- SW1 games and migswitch (when it works)
- potential injection via custom migswitch packages (emulators, retroarch, entry points)

The migswitch is making me considering the update, for example to use the migswitch as a first device to activate a 2nd exploitable chain.

Thoughts folks? Do correct me if wrong pls.

 

[xFlesk]

im thinking about this "sd card initiation" as an another security measure which going to force users who buy N2 to always update to latest OS.
any help about what to do appreciate

 

[Marc_LFD]

i have read entire thread and im stuck
what to do best ? update with sd card or not ?
im thinking what would happen if i do not apply sd card now but after few years ?

I updated to the Day 1 FW so that the Express mSD is usable. I'm guessing it won't take too long for a new Switch 2 firmware to be released so make a decision.

 

[loler55]

Im on day one too with Express inserted and deleted WiFi Connection and airplanemode