With the Switch 2 fast approaching its first anniversary, Nintendo has released a major new update for its console that aims to make last-gen Switch games perform better on it. Switch 2 firmware version 22.0.0 adds a new “Handheld Mode Boost” to the console–alongside a whole lot more–that will allow compatible Switch 1 games to run in Docked mode while playing them in the Switch 2’s handheld mode.
Nintendo did note that the new mode has a few flaws, as it increases Switch 2’s power consumption, and it might disable touchscreen settings. “Because this option forces TV mode operation, some instructions may be incorrect or fail to operate correctly,” Nintendo explained in its patch notes. To use Handheld Boost Mode, you’ll need to enable the following settings:
How to enable on Switch 2
- On the Home menu, select System Settings
- Scroll down and select the System option
- Scroll down and select Nintendo Switch Software Handling
- Select the Handheld Mode Boost option
Essentially, Handheld Mode Boost allows Switch 1 games to run with similar performance to the same software being played in TV mode, and take better advantage of the Switch 2’s 1080p screen. It’s not clear just how improved these visuals will ultimately be, but if you’ve built up a sizable Switch library, it’s still nice to have an enhanced version of your game collection.
Additionally, the update has also added the option to draft private notes about your online friends, improved shared game screen footage on GameChat, and new airplane mode features. The Switch 1 has also received a small update, and you can see the full notes below for both systems.
Nintendo Switch 2 System Update – Ver. 22.0.0
- Changed the on-screen text and animations when you load a virtual game card in the HOME Menu.
- Added the ability to save notes about friends on your Friend List. The note content is not displayed to friends.
- Added the ability to see and edit these notes from the Nintendo Switch App. The app must be on version 3.3.0 or higher to use this feature.
- The following features were added to support GameChat:
- Added the ability to invite friends to GameChat rooms you’re participating in. Some friends may not be able to be invited, such as supervised accounts.
- Friends who haven’t finished GameChat’s initial setup can now be invited to GameChat. Some friends may not be able to be invited, such as supervised accounts or those who haven’t used a Nintendo Switch 2.
- It may take a while for this change to be reflected after updating your console to system version 22.0.0.
- Improvements were made to the quality of the game screen shared in a GameChat when expanded.
- Added the ability to rewind 10 seconds/advance 10 seconds with the ZL and ZR Buttons when watching a full-screen video in News or Nintendo eShop.
- Added the option to add the following data to “Automatic Uploads” from the Album.
- Clip Video, Video saved as a screenshot, and screenshot with added text.
- Added Portuguese (Portugal) and Russian to “GameChat Voice ⇔ Speech to Text” languages in Accessibility.
- Text-to-Speech, under Accessibility, can now read the text in Album and during first-time setup.
- Please see Nintendo Switch 2 First-Time Setup and Connection for instructions on how to turn text-to-speech on in the first-time setup.
- Added the ability to see the breakdown of storage capacity by data type for the system memory and microSD Express card.
- Added the ability to perform an audio test when “Linear PCM 5.1 Surround” is selected for TV Sound in Audio.
- Changed the “Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea” region to “Hong Kong/Taiwan/South Korea/South East Asia” in Device.
- Added “Handheld Mode Boost” to Nintendo Switch Software Handling in System.
- Handheld Mode Boost will cause compatible Switch software to run as if in TV Mode, so certain functionality may be affected. Please see the on-device description for more details.
- The following features were added to Airplane Mode:
- When Airplane Mode is activated, the previously set preferences for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC while in Airplane Mode will be saved and applied.
- Added the ability to individually enable or disable Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC during Airplane Mode from the Quick Settings.
- Added the ability to see a notification in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device application when the Parental Controls PIN is input successfully on the console. This can also be set up to be a push notification to your smart device.
- The app must be on version 2.4.0 or higher to use this functionality.
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.
The updates for Switch Version 22.0.0 include some adjustments as well as general system stability improvements. Here’s what’s included:
Nintendo Switch System Update Ver. 22.0.0
- Changed the on-screen text and animations when you load a virtual game card in the HOME Menu.
- Added the ability to save notes about friends on your Friend List. The note content is not displayed to friends.
- Added the ability to see and edit these notes from the Nintendo Switch App. The app must be on version 3.3.0 or higher to use this feature.
- Added the ability to see a notification in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls smart device application when the Parental Controls PIN is input successfully on the console. This can also be set up to be a push notification to your smart device.
- The app must be on version 2.4.0 or higher to use this functionality.
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.
The Switch 2 has sold millions of units since it launched last year, breaking several sales records. Nintendo still expects to sell 15 million Switch 2 consoles during its current financial year–which ends in March 2026–and even amidst turbulent economic times, the company doesn’t expect that it’ll need to hike the console price yet. That could change in the future, as Nintendo has mentioned that memory price increases are “happening at a pace that exceeds our expectations.”
