Nintendo Switch software update: New features & how to install

Such is the digital age that we live in that most devices need regular software updates. Here we explain what’s in the latest Nintendo Switch update and how you can download and install it.

Nintendo Switch update: What’s new?

Latest Nintendo Switch software version: 4.0.0

The new software update for the Nintendo Switch brings along a much sought after feature: video capture. There’s also a new data transfer option we’ll explain below, and one secret feature that’s very welcome indeed.

Video capture

Up until now, the Capture Button on the left Joy-Con controller has only been able to take screenshots but you can now use it to show off videos of your gameplay.

To use the new video capture feature simply press and hold the Capture Button until you hear a beep. The previous 30 seconds of play will be saved to your Album.

From there you can edit it then share to social networks. You can also select screenshots from the footage.

The caveat as it stands is that the feature is only available for four games: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, ARMS, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Splatoon 2 – though Nintendo had confirmed that it eventually plans to not only expand the feature to more titles, but also increase time limit from 30 seconds.

Note that you’ll need to be on the following versions of the games to capture video:

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – 1.3.0
• ARMS – 3.1.0
• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – 1.3.0
• Splatoon 2 – 1.2.0

Data transfers

Another key update is data transfers, although not exactly as fans would like.

You can now transfer user profiles and save data to another system. It will also move any eShop purchases. You can start the process by going to ‘Transfer your user and dave data’ from within the User section of the settings.

However, the caveat is that all the data will be deleted on the source console so it works like moving data on DS systems. This means it’s not a backup to SD card feature, as many fans would like.

“Once the process is complete, the user information, the associated save data, and the software purchased with the user account that is transferred will no longer be available on the source console,” says Nintendo.

USB headphones

One feature hidden away in update 4.0.0 – it’s not mentioned at all in the patch notes – is support for USB devices. Most importantly, that includes headphones that use USB wireless dongles – even including Sony’s own PlayStation headset.

You simply have to connect the USB dongle to the USB slot in the dock and the Switch should recognise the USB device, with its own volume slider popping up.

The new feature even works in handheld mode, though you’ll obviously need either USB-C headphones or a USB-C adapter in order to plug into the console.

Here are the other features in version 4.0.0:

• New profile icons featuring characters from Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
• Pre-purchase option is available for certain games on Nintendo eShop.

And features from previous version:

• Add friends from your Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Friend Lists to your Nintendo Switch console’s Friend List.
• Opt to receive notifications for when your friends appear online.
• Search for missing controllers.
• Search for and subscribe to game-specific news content from the News List screen.
• Increase and decrease system volume via the Quick Settings menu.
• Headphone volume can also be set to a higher level.

How to update Nintendo Switch software

It’s pretty easy to update your Nintendo Switch to the latest software and if the console is connected to the internet, any available update will be downloaded automatically.

Once an updated has been downloaded, you’ll be asked if you want to install it via a notification. Click ‘update’ to install it and the console will restart.

If you want to check what version your console is running, head to the System section of settings and you’ll see Current Version under System Update. This is also where you can do a manual update.

• Select the System Settings from the HOME Menu.
• Scroll down through the System Settings menu and select System.
• Select System Update to start the process.