Nintendo has released system update 23.0.0 for the Nintendo Switch 2, and it is one of the bigger firmware drops the console has seen. The update went live on September 10, 2026, and it also bumps the firmware on the original Nintendo Switch. Here is everything that has changed.
VRR Support Arrives in TV Mode
The headline feature of version 23.0.0 is Variable Refresh Rate output support in TV Mode. When both the game software and the connected TV support VRR, the Switch 2 will now output video at a refresh rate that matches the game’s processing speed, which should result in a smoother visual experience during gameplay.
There is an important catch here. According to Nintendo’s Japanese patch notes (via GoNintendo), an update to the Nintendo Switch 2 Dock is required before you can access these VRR settings. Nintendo has added a dedicated VRR Settings option under the Display section in System Settings, and the existing Dock Output Information item has been renamed to Video Output Information to better reflect the expanded detail it provides about video signals your TV can display.
Switch 2 to Switch 2 System Transfer Now Supported
Another major addition in this update is the ability to perform a complete data transfer between two Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. Nintendo says you can now move all of your data – including save data and screenshots – from one Switch 2 to another. A new option called Transfer all to Nintendo Switch 2 has been added under the System menu to facilitate this.
Handheld Mode Boost Gets a Quick Settings Toggle
Handheld Mode Boost is getting a quality-of-life upgrade with this update. Nintendo has added an option under System – Switch Software Operation Mode that, when turned on, lets you toggle Handheld Mode Boost directly from the Quick Settings menu. You access Quick Settings by long-pressing the HOME button, making it faster to switch the boost on or off without digging through the full Settings menu.
Nintendo has also made a separate adjustment to Handheld Mode Boost behavior: while Joy-Con 2 controllers are attached to the console, you can now use other controllers at the same time. That restriction had previously been a limitation.
GameChat Updates
GameChat picks up several functional changes in version 23.0.0. Nintendo has added a feature that shows chats you have previously participated in within the list of joinable chats. You can also now start a new chat without selecting any friends first. Additionally, a button to change screen size has been added to the menu that appears when you press the C button during an active chat session.
Virtual Game Card Changes
The Virtual Game Card system has received a couple of notable updates. A Settings option has been added to the Virtual Game Card list screen, and you can now check the registration status of the device using a virtual game card.
Nintendo has also added a fallback option for situations where a virtual game card cannot be transferred from another console when launching software. If the other console is offline and the transfer cannot be completed, a Play with Online License button will now appear, allowing temporary play using an online license. Nintendo notes that only the person who originally purchased the software can use this online license feature.
Mii Editor Gets Background Music
The Mii editor has received a fun update in the form of background music. Multiple Mii music tracks have been added to the editing screen, and you can switch between tracks or stop the music entirely using a new BGM Settings button in the upper left corner of the screen. Nintendo has also added a feature that lets you generate a QR code of your Mii and share it with other users.
Other Settings and Accessibility Changes
A handful of other adjustments round out the update. On the accessibility front, Nintendo has added text-to-speech support for Portuguese (Brazil) under the Accessibility settings, and the same language has been added to the Voice-to-Text Conversion for Game Chat options.
TV audio settings now save on a per-TV basis, so your preferred audio configuration for one television will not interfere with settings for another connected display. Nintendo has also added a preview feature for sleep wake-up sounds – you can now instantly hear how a sound will play when you adjust volume under the Sleep – Sleep wake-up sound when playing on TV setting.
Nintendo’s English patch notes had not gone live at the time of publication, but the full details above come from Nintendo’s Japanese website as reported by GoNintendo. Update 23.0.0 is available to download now for all Nintendo Switch 2 owners.