Nintendo Switch Firmware Update Adds Plenty Of New Features, Fixes Old Issues

Nintendo has released a firmware update for the Switch today, adding a host of new features, while also fixing a couple of technical issues which have plagued users since launch day.

Most notably, the new update (specifically, Version 3.0.0) has finally fixed an issue with certain TVs (most notably with Samsung displays), where the current HDMI input would change to the Switch, even when the console was in sleep mode while docked.

The update also adds a few new functions to the Switch’s operating system. Players can now find and add friends from their Nintendo 3DS and Wii U friends lists, as well as from friends who have played Nintendo mobile games. For those who find themselves losing controllers, a new “locate controller” function can be used to vibrate controllers and easily locate them.

You can find a full list of patch notes below, via Nintendo’s website.

Added System Functionality 

• Register a channel to receive News for specific games
  • To register, head to News > Find Channels
• Add friends from your Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Friend Lists
  • To add friends, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Friend Suggestions
• Receive notifications when your Friends go online
  • To turn this ON/OFF, head to System Settings > Notifications > Friend Notifications
• Find paired controllers within communication range by activating the vibration feature
  • To search, head to Controllers > Find Controllers
• Change the user icon order on the Home Menu
  • To change order, head to System Settings > Users > Change Order
• Select from 6 new Splatoon 2 characters for user icon
  • To edit your user icon, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Profile
• Change the system volume from the Quick Settings
  • To access Quick Settings, hold down the HOME Button
• Lower the maximum volume for headphone or speakers connected to the audio jack
  • To lower the max headphone volume, head to System Settings > System > Lower Max Headphone Volume
    * This setting will be ON when Parental Controls are enabled
• Change display colors to Invert Colors or Grayscale
  • To use this feature, head to System Settings > System > Change Display Colors
• Use the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller via wired communication by connecting the USB charging cable
  • To enable, head to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Pro Controller Wired Communication
    * The NFC touchpoint on the Pro Controller will be disabled while the controller is using wired communication.
• Update connected controllers
  • To update, head to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Update Controllers
• Added a feature that suggests deletion of software data if there is insufficient space when downloading other software
  • To use this feature, head to System Settings > Data Management > Quick Archive
    * User save data is not deleted