Here’s What’s New in the Latest Nintendo Switch Update
Nintendo Switch 2 is almost here. If you managed to pre-order Nintendo’s much-hyped Switch successor , you’ll be able to play new games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza starting June 5th.
Ahead of the launch of Switch 2, Nintendo has just released a big new software update for its existing lineup of Switch consoles: the original Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite. This is version 20.0.0 of the Switch software , and if you know anything about the software, round numbers usually indicate major updates.
Version 20.0.0 isn’t groundbreaking by any means—it’s not Nintendo’s iOS 19 —but there are a number of significant changes and features to take note of. Perhaps most importantly, this update lays the foundation for the Switch 2 itself, especially if you’re planning on upgrading from your existing Switch to Nintendo’s latest console.
Virtual game cards and GameShare
Some of the biggest changes made in this update relate to how you access and play digital games. First up are Nintendo’s new Virtual Game Cards , which the company announced earlier this month. Virtual game cards are a workaround for playing digital games on your two Switches: Just like you can swap a physical game card between your two consoles, you can load and unload virtual game cards to switch the console you’re playing a digital game on.
As part of this release, Nintendo has added a new “Virtual Game Card” icon to the Switch Home menu. Click this icon to manage virtual gaming cards on your Switches. However, this update also adds “Online License Settings” to your Switch, which allows you to play downloaded digital games or DLC while connected to the Internet—with or without a downloaded virtual game card.
In addition to being able to download virtual game cards between two Switch consoles, you can also lend those game cards to family members for two weeks if you’re connected to the same Nintendo Account family group. You can get them any time as long as the other party is online, but if they leave their switch offline, you’ll have to wait until the two-week period is up .
Speaking of game sharing, version 20.0.0 also introduces GameShare. This feature, exclusive to Switch 2, allows you to share certain programs between Switch 2 consoles. To share software, you need to be on the same local wireless network, and this feature does not work on any original Switch consoles.
Get ready for Switch 2
After the update, you will find an important new feature under System Settings > System : System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2 . You’ll want to use this feature if you buy a Switch 2, as it allows you to transfer content from your current Switch console to your new one. If you decide to sell or trade your existing Switch before you get access to the Switch 2, this feature will allow you to upload your data to a Nintendo server, which you can download to your new console later. (When you choose this method, your original Switch console will be reset to factory settings, so make sure you actually plan to restore from Switch 2 if you choose this feature.)
You can also select multiple save data files to transfer at the same time. You will find this option in the Transfer Save Data menu.
Other changes in Switch 20.0.0
If you control a child’s Switch, Nintendo has added a way to protect access to the Virtual Game Card menu using a PIN or Nintendo Account login. You’ll find this setting under User > User Settings .
Nintendo has changed the colors of the Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch News icons, as well as “some custom icons,” although the company doesn’t specify which ones in the update’s release notes.