Nintendo has released a new firmware update for the Nintendo Switch, bringing the system to Version 20.1.0 as of May 27, 2025. This update introduces several refinements, primarily focused on user interface enhancements and support for system transitions to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
The headline features of Ver. 20.1.0 include visual improvements to the Parental Control settings and a new startup sound when launching Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu. These minor but noticeable changes aim to refine user experience. In addition, Nintendo has made general system stability improvements, a standard but essential part of ongoing platform maintenance.
Nintendo Switch Update 20.1.0 Changelog
- Visual updates have been made to the Parental Control settings.
- The sound that plays when Nintendo Switch Online is launched from the HOME Menu has been changed.
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.
Crucially, the update plays a supporting role in facilitating system transfers from the current Nintendo Switch to the Nintendo Switch 2. According to Nintendo, users planning to transfer their data using local communication must update their original Switch console to Ver. 20.1.0. Without this update, local transfer functionality will not be available, potentially disrupting continuity for early adopters of the new hardware.
The previous major firmware update, Version 20.0.0, was released on April 29, 2025, and introduced a wave of new features, including the Virtual Game Card and GameShare functionalities. The Virtual Game Card system allows digital titles, DLC, and selected free software to be virtually loaded and ejected between two Nintendo Switch consoles. GameShare, on the other hand, enables supported titles on the Nintendo Switch 2 to be shared with nearby systems for local cooperative play—though notably, this feature is exclusive to Switch 2-initiated sessions.
Also introduced in Ver. 20.0.0 were expanded user-verification settings, online license settings for cloud-based access to digital purchases, and a streamlined data transfer interface. The update also added color adjustments to the eShop and News icons and made multiple save data selections possible during transfers. It marked the first firmware-level support for the upcoming Switch 2, including the option to perform a system transfer either locally or through an online server with factory reset safeguards.
While Ver. 20.1.0 is more modest in scope, it builds on the foundation laid by the previous release and ensures smoother transitions for users preparing to migrate to the next generation of Nintendo hardware.
