Hacking Speculations about Switch 2 hacking

[Marc_LFD]

When the Switch 2 is hacked and ready to pirate games, I sure as heck won't even bother with the Welcome Tour.

Shame on you, Nintendo. That turdy tech demo should be $0.

 

[BigOnYa]

My uncle who works at Nintendo told me to tell you all "Na Na Na Boo Boo"

 

[SylverReZ]

A great read for anybody curious about Switch 2 homebrew. https://blog.ihaveahax.net/2025/01/24/dont-get-your-hopes-up-for-nintendo-switch-2-homebrew/

 

[Hayato213]

A great read for anybody curious about Switch 2 homebrew. https://blog.ihaveahax.net/2025/01/24/dont-get-your-hopes-up-for-nintendo-switch-2-homebrew/

Part of it is wrong, the part about no software base exploit is wrong when there are software base exploit for firmware 4.1.0 and below.

 

[Hotmayo]

Okay so I am new to all of this so please be gentle.

Isn't the biggest challenge IF (big if) the switch 2 gets hacked with a software exploit like version 1.0.0 that you will need to update to play more recent games? Are there ways around it? Unless like the switch v1 where they messed up big time but I doubt such thing will happen with the switch 2.

 

[Viri]

I'm going to hack the Switch 2, and I'm not going to release it. Instead I will make tons of threads, post screen shots and video proof on Youtube, so you'll suck up to me to get me to release it!

 

[Marc_LFD]

Okay so I am new to all of this so please be gentle.

Isn't the biggest challenge IF (big if) the switch 2 gets hacked with a software exploit like version 1.0.0 that you will need to update to play more recent games? Are there ways around it? Unless like the switch v1 where they messed up big time but I doubt such thing will happen with the switch 2.

Back ports like the PS4/PS5?

 

[Loltag22]

Okay so I am new to all of this so please be gentle.

Isn't the biggest challenge IF (big if) the switch 2 gets hacked with a software exploit like version 1.0.0 that you will need to update to play more recent games? Are there ways around it? Unless like the switch v1 where they messed up big time but I doubt such thing will happen with the switch 2.

Maybe the emunand will be the solution to this, like 3ds and switch (sysnand on lower Fw and emu on latest one). But there is the Fuse thing in the switch 1 so they must find a way to preserve fuses

 

[citruspunch]

but nothing is unhackable.

Because nothing built lasts forever.

But yeah, I think people thought that the PS3 was unhackable, but it later was.

EDIT: Typo.

 

[Marc_LFD]

Because nothing built lasts forever.

But yeah, I think people thought that the PS3 was unhackable, but it later was.

EDIT: Typo.

It didn't take that long for PS3 to become hackable, it first required the firmware 3.55 and then later it was hackable on all.

My PS3 Slim could've been on 3.55 the whole time, but I updated as I preferred online play instead. And it was free.

 

[SylverReZ]

https://blog.ihaveahax.net/2025/04/06/lets-correct-some-nintendo-switch-2-misinformation/

 

[citruspunch]

https://blog.ihaveahax.net/2025/04/06/lets-correct-some-nintendo-switch-2-misinformation/

Read this a bit and its interesting that there might not be a region lock.

 

[ihaveahax]

Part of it is wrong, the part about no software base exploit is wrong when there are software base exploit for firmware 4.1.0 and below.

I might update the post about it, but the point still stands. There are still no software-only exploits for the current Switch. Maybe for older ones on 4.1.0 and lower, but especially not Lite / OLED / refreshed LCD.

 

[Pivoine]

I might update the post about it, but the point still stands. There are still no software-only exploits for the current Switch. Maybe for older ones on 4.1.0 and lower, but especially not Lite / OLED / refreshed LCD.

I may be misinterpreting this, but do you think that the switch paperclip hack, being extremely simple, didn't just completely ruin the efforts of a software-related hack ?

 

[ihaveahax]

I may be misinterpreting this, but do you think that the switch paperclip hack, being extremely simple, didn't just completely ruin the efforts of a software-related hack ?

This only works on units produced before around June 2018. The latest pure software exploit is only for 4.1.0 or earlier, released around December 2018. Anything newer requires hardware modification.

 

[Pivoine]

This only works on units produced before around June 2018. The latest pure software exploit is only for 4.1.0 or earlier, released around December 2018. Anything newer requires hardware modification.

Yes, I understood that, but given how easy it was to find them and how easy it still is to find used ones, I've always wondered if that hadn't broken the search a bit (for the majority of those looking for a software-based hack, obviously there are people who are still looking for the V2 and the OLED).

 

[PewnyPL]

IF the whole thing about Switch 2 using HOS like Switch 1 is true (I saw mentions of it here and there but no actual proof of it, aside from people saying that it looks the basically the same on some screenshots shown by nintendo) then there is a non-zero chance (but very, VERY low) that there may be a softmod.
Theoretically, homebrew devs may had found a software exploit on Switch 1, but they may had kept it a secret for a long while until Switch 2 releases... exactly for the possibility of it running the same OS. If the hac works on every new Switch 1 HOS update, then it may as well work on HOS on Switch 2. Releasing it as soon as it's found would make Nintendo patch it on Switch 1, and obviously, on upcoming Switch 2.

So, IF such a theoretical exploit was found and is currently unreleased, Switch 2 could potentially have a day 1 hack.

EDIT: However, as apparently Switch 1 games are going to be ran through some emulation layer (as per https://blog.ihaveahax.net/2025/04/06/lets-correct-some-nintendo-switch-2-misinformation/) the hardware differences may cause it to not work either way due to highly possible addressing differences.

 

[CrAzYLiFe]

IF the whole thing about Switch 2 using HOS like Switch 1 is true (I saw mentions of it here and there but no actual proof of it, aside from people saying that it looks the basically the same on some screenshots shown by nintendo) then there is a non-zero chance (but very, VERY low) that there may be a softmod.
Theoretically, homebrew devs may had found a software exploit on Switch 1, but they may had kept it a secret for a long while until Switch 2 releases... exactly for the possibility of it running the same OS. If the hac works on every new Switch 1 HOS update, then it may as well work on HOS on Switch 2. Releasing it as soon as it's found would make Nintendo patch it on Switch 1, and obviously, on upcoming Switch 2.

So, IF such a theoretical exploit was found and is currently unreleased, Switch 2 could potentially have a day 1 hack.

Why waste it on switch 2. When they could theoretically keep the exploit safe and release it on switch 3 day 1?

 

[aoimatsuri]

My Ouja Board said "No"

Not sure what that means

Why waste it on switch 2. When they could theoretically keep the exploit safe and release it on switch 3 day 1?

The "where is pokeymannn" ppl on temp would die.

One whole gen without free pokeymen ?
Impossibru !

IF the whole thing about Switch 2 using HOS like Switch 1 is true (I saw mentions of it here and there but no actual proof of it, aside from people saying that it looks the basically the same on some screenshots shown by nintendo) then there is a non-zero chance (but very, VERY low) that there may be a softmod.
Theoretically, homebrew devs may had found a software exploit on Switch 1, but they may had kept it a secret for a long while until Switch 2 releases... exactly for the possibility of it running the same OS. If the hac works on every new Switch 1 HOS update, then it may as well work on HOS on Switch 2. Releasing it as soon as it's found would make Nintendo patch it on Switch 1, and obviously, on upcoming Switch 2.

So, IF such a theoretical exploit was found and is currently unreleased, Switch 2 could potentially have a day 1 hack.

EDIT: However, as apparently Switch 1 games are going to be ran through some emulation layer (as per https://blog.ihaveahax.net/2025/04/06/lets-correct-some-nintendo-switch-2-misinformation/) the hardware differences may cause it to not work either way due to highly possible addressing differences.

Switch1 is exploited at runtime.

As soon as the OS started you are sool.
Cool Kidz play in Sandboxes

Read this a bit and its interesting that there might not be a region lock.

There is.
But only for the japanese Switch to deterr scalping and mass exporting.

And its not emulation.
It's Shemulation.

Translating calls in realtime.

Kinda like what the SteamDeck does for Windows Apps via Proton layer.

Its what your mom always does, when you talk to yout friendZ in gangsta leet speak and your dad doesn't get it.
RealTimeTranslation

 

[hippy dave]

Yes, I understood that, but given how easy it was to find them and how easy it still is to find used ones, I've always wondered if that hadn't broken the search a bit (for the majority of those looking for a software-based hack, obviously there are people who are still looking for the V2 and the OLED).

No, the people with the knowledge searched the software very thoroughly for the needed vulnerabilities and came up empty. Someone can find you the link to where SciresM stated how many hours he'd spent on it and how confident he was that there would be no software exploit.