Hey hopeful hackers, a quick but important PSA!
The microSD (and microSD Express) update IS NOT BUNDLED with the normal firmware updates! You can't simply connect to the internet when you unbox your console and get the "Day One" update, and then use a microSD card. You MUST insert a card before it will prompt you to connect to the internet and download the necessary update to enable the slot!! Luckily, the system has only received one single update as of this post, so you may still have time to stay on the lowest-possible firmware while still allowing SD access.
And the even better news is: it doesn't have to be microSD Express you do this with! Any old microSD card will work, though it must be formatted in ExFat. In order to get around owning an EX card, you just need to go to Settings->Data Management->Manage Screenshots and Videos->Import from a Nintendo Switch microSD Card and follow the prompts. It doesn't need to be a card from a Switch 1, even. It won't even scan the thing for data until you take it online, install the offered system update, then restart the console and resume the import process. After that, if you didn't insert the card from a Switch 1 (me? I'm not putting my CFW console cards in there, just in case), it will simply throw an error message about "no importable data found" and restart once more after you hit X to cancel.
After doing this rigamarole once, it will no longer prompt you to download an update before scanning a microSD (or microSD Express) card, because the slot is now enabled.
Congratulations! You now can safely leave the thing offline on a low firmware, if you so choose, with the confidence that you may be able to sideload in the future*
*or we're all just jumping ourselves thru needless hoops hoping in vain for an exploit which shall never come, who can say?)
The microSD (and microSD Express) update IS NOT BUNDLED with the normal firmware updates! You can't simply connect to the internet when you unbox your console and get the "Day One" update, and then use a microSD card. You MUST insert a card before it will prompt you to connect to the internet and download the necessary update to enable the slot!! Luckily, the system has only received one single update as of this post, so you may still have time to stay on the lowest-possible firmware while still allowing SD access.
And the even better news is: it doesn't have to be microSD Express you do this with! Any old microSD card will work, though it must be formatted in ExFat. In order to get around owning an EX card, you just need to go to Settings->Data Management->Manage Screenshots and Videos->Import from a Nintendo Switch microSD Card and follow the prompts. It doesn't need to be a card from a Switch 1, even. It won't even scan the thing for data until you take it online, install the offered system update, then restart the console and resume the import process. After that, if you didn't insert the card from a Switch 1 (me? I'm not putting my CFW console cards in there, just in case), it will simply throw an error message about "no importable data found" and restart once more after you hit X to cancel.
After doing this rigamarole once, it will no longer prompt you to download an update before scanning a microSD (or microSD Express) card, because the slot is now enabled.
Congratulations! You now can safely leave the thing offline on a low firmware, if you so choose, with the confidence that you may be able to sideload in the future*
*or we're all just jumping ourselves thru needless hoops hoping in vain for an exploit which shall never come, who can say?)
Last edited by MyconMama,
