Nintendo has rolled out a significant firmware update for the Nintendo Switch 2, bumping the system version to 22.0.0. Released on March 16, 2026, the patch introduces a variety of quality-of-life improvements, ranging from performance enhancements to expanded social features.
Key Performance and System Updates
The headline addition in this update is Handheld Mode Boost. This new feature, located within the System Settings, allows compatible Nintendo Switch software to run at performance levels typically reserved for TV Mode while the device is in handheld mode. Nintendo notes that because software runs differently in this mode, certain functionalities may be affected, and users are encouraged to check the on-device description for details.
Additionally, users can now view a detailed breakdown of their storage capacity by data type for both system memory and microSD Express cards. Airplane Mode functionality has also been refined; the system will now remember specific preferences for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC when Airplane Mode is active, allowing users to toggle these connections individually via Quick Settings.
GameChat and Social Enhancements
Nintendo continues to expand its GameChat ecosystem. Users can now invite friends to GameChat rooms even if those friends have not yet completed the initial GameChat setup, provided they meet account eligibility requirements. The update also improves the visual quality of game screens shared during GameChat sessions when the view is expanded.
On the social side, the Friend List now supports private notes. Users can save personal notes about friends—content that remains invisible to the friends themselves. These notes can be viewed and edited via the Nintendo Switch App (version 3.3.0 or higher). The HOME Menu has also received visual updates regarding the on-screen text and animations displayed when loading a virtual game card.
Media, Accessibility, and Parental Controls
Multimedia capabilities see modest upgrades. When viewing full-screen videos in News or the Nintendo eShop, users can now utilize the ZL and ZR buttons to rewind or advance the footage by 10 seconds. The Automatic Upload feature for the Album now supports a wider range of data types, including Clip Videos and screenshots with added text.
Accessibility support has been broadened with the addition of Portuguese (Portugal) and Russian for GameChat Voice Speech to Text. Furthermore, the Text-to-Speech function is now available during first-time setup and within the Album app.
Finally, parents utilizing the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device app will receive notifications when the Parental Controls PIN is successfully entered on the console. This feature requires app version 2.4.0 or higher.
The update is available for download now and should install automatically for most users connected to the internet.
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