Nintendo has released a modern system software update for the Switch and Switch 2, updating both consoles’ firmware to version 21.0.0.
The latest patch adds a number of features for both consoles, including a number of useful changes to digital game management and updates to the Switch 2’s built-in game chat.
On both consoles, you will now see a symbol above the software icons in the main menu that will show whether the game is cartridge-based or not. You can also set it to download data from your virtual playing card even if you have disabled the “Use Online License” setting.
On the Switch 2, you can now be prompted to download any software that comes with the console (e.g. Mario Kart World!), which looks like it’ll save you from entering any annoying cheats.
Switch 2’s in-game chat is also getting some improvements, and the game you’re playing will no longer automatically go to sleep mode if you’re still chatting. You’ll also be able to talk if the console is docked and you switch to a wired connection (or vice versa).
In a compact but fun change, Nintendo has renamed the “stop charging around 90%” battery saving option to now more accurately reflect how it works. It’s now called “stop charging around 80-90%” so you can stop worrying about whether it’s working properly.
As always, the update includes some additional fixes that weren’t included in Nintendo’s official patch notes. ON Reset Erafans report that you can now turn off auto-playing videos in the eShop – which is a really welcome addition. Nintendo data expert Oatmeal DomeMeanwhile, according to statistics, there is also a modern menu to check the maximum brightness value when adjusting HDR settings in TV mode.
Here are Nintendo’s full patch notes:
Nintendo Switch ver. Version 21.0.0 (released November 10, 2025):
- Added symbols above software icons displayed in the HOME menu to indicate whether the software is physical or digital.
- Added the ability to download data for a virtual playing card even if “Use online license” setting. is turned off.
- This option is available in Options a virtual playing card that can be accessed via Virtual playing cards from the HOME menu.
- Updated Save Data Cloud Backup information that appears when starting some programs.
- “Platinum Point Notification Settings” has been renamed to “Nintendo Switch Online Notification Settings” in Notifications menu in System settings.
- Added the ability to disable the following options when transferring a system from a Nintendo Switch system to a Nintendo Switch 2 system using System transfer to Nintendo Switch 2 IN System settings.
- Redownload the software on your Nintendo Switch 2
- Transfer album data
- Added the ability to adjust volume in the Quick Settings menu in VR mode.
- General system stability improvements aimed at improving user experience.
Nintendo Switch 2 ver. 21.0.0 (released November 10, 2025)
- Added symbols above software icons displayed in the HOME menu to indicate whether the software is physical or digital.
- If multiple programs are downloading, there is now an option to cancel all of them.
- If your console package includes downloadable software, you will now see a “Get Software” icon. Will be displayed if the system is connected to the Internet.
- The icon will launch Nintendo Online Store and you can go to the software download.
- You can still download the software by going to Nintendo Online Store directly from the HOME menu.
- When searching for users to send a friend request to, the Search for users you have played with pod option Add a friend now includes people you have interacted with in your friends’ GameChat rooms.
- Added the ability to download data for a virtual playing card even if “Use online license” setting. is turned off.
- This option is available in Options a virtual playing card that can be accessed via Virtual playing cards from the HOME menu.
- The following updates have been made to GameChat:
- The game will not automatically go to sleep during a call.
- Added an option to disable “Chat Audio Sliding”.
- The chat can continue if the console switches from TV mode (docked) to handheld or tabletop mode, where in this scenario the Internet connection changes from a wired connection to a wireless connection.
- The following updates have been made Availability IN System settings: :
- When Use text-to-speech is enabled, the predictive conversion character description on the Japanese keyboard is now read aloud.
- Upper limit Text-to-speech speed has been increased from 300% to 400%
- The following updates have been made Audio IN System settings: :
- Added the ability to change the audio mode for a wirelessly connected Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller. You can select “Stable” or “Low Latency”.
- “Low Latency” will reduce audio latency compared to “Stable”, but may be more susceptible to interference in some wireless environments.
- The following updates have been made Display IN System settings: :
- “HDR Output” has been renamed to “System Screen HDR Output”.
- Improved screen display while in exploit Adjust the screen size to make it easier to fit.
- The following updates have been made Notifications IN System settings: :
- ‘Platinum Point Notification’ has been renamed to ‘Nintendo Switch Online Notification’.
- The following updates have been made System IN System settings: :
- “Stop charging around 90%” has been renamed and updated to “Stop charging around 80-90%”
- Thai and Polish have been added to the list of options below Tongue.
- Thai and Polish will only be available in the software if it supports the corresponding language.
- General system stability improvements aimed at improving user experience.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s news editor. You can contact Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
