Didn't get the day 1 update. What are my best options?

[u/SkyLey2]

I'm one of those that kept the console boxed since its original release.

Well, kind of. I got one on August 2025. The Mario Kart World pack one.

I'm guessing that even being bought after a few months after the original release won't change anything, right? It will also come with an non-usable Micro-SD card slot.

Or does it? I've been reading somewhere that you need the update to get the exFAT license, but what about FAT32? Is it possible to use the Micro SD if formatted to FAT32?

The other possibility is updating using some older Switch 2 game with an certain firmware inside it. I was thinking of Super Mario Party Jamboree as an example.

But if the only way to get the exFAT license is connecting to the Internet then that also won't work.

What are my best options? Or should I just give up and open or sell my current Switch 2 and get the new model with exchangeable battery (I'm guessing it also comes with the mandatory day-1 update despite being released one year later, isn't it?).

🤔😔

[u/kayproII]

At the rate it's going, whatever exploit we get is gonna require hardware modding (which until someone finds a way in, all consoles should be exploitable) It's also probably gonna take quite a while before anything comes out. Personally I'd say just take the console out of the box, update it and enjoy the damn thing (also you should still take it out of the box to charge it so the battery isn't completely fried when an exploit comes out in the next 2-3 years)

[u/SkyLey2 → u/kayproII]

Thing is I have literally no hurry at all to open and use it yet.

I have very little to time and a huge backlog. That's why I wanted to buy one of the earliest models to store it for the (probably) long future.

It's not that I want to play the games now... It's that I have many before 😅

[u/kayproII → u/SkyLey2]

I'd still advise taking it out the box to charge it up every so often so the battery isn't completely fecked because it spent god knows how long in a box not being charged

[u/SkyLey2 → u/kayproII]

I will, thank you!

[u/BetYoSheep → u/SkyLey2]

Also install an express microSD card to activate it, otherwise you'll have to be on the latest fw version if you install one in the future (apparently it's some licensing thing)

[u/SkyLey2 → u/BetYoSheep]

'Install a SD card'? What does that mean?

[u/baughnry7898 → u/SkyLey2]

I think he is saying that you have to have the day one update to even use a SD card express on it. Regular sd cards don't work and never will. Plus I imagine someone would love to have faster read speeds with it. Most people that have a switch 2 use it, instead of hacking the consoles to get free games. You should have to pay for your games just as anyone else.

[u/BetYoSheep → u/baughnry7898]

You must install the day one update to use the console at all. And if you ever insert a microSD card, it will also require you to be on the latest firmware version. So if you want to hack it eventually, do the day one update AND insert a microSD card (you'll have to buy one and nowadays they aren't cheap. Buy the cheapest microSD express one (there are some from Samsung or SanDisk which are Nintendo branded. Make sure it's the express one otherwise it won't work). But why would the microSD card be important? Well, maybe in the future the flaw that let us hack switch can only be accessed through the microSD card in a lower firmware version. If you'd like to future proof for hacks, that should be a good bet. Cheers

[u/69Trash420Panda]

Use a physical game with a newer firmware on cart

[u/SkyLey2 → u/69Trash420Panda]

Does that come with the online license too despite being an offline update?

[u/BetYoSheep → u/SkyLey2]

The license for SD card is only downloaded after you do the day one update AND insert the SD card (microSD card express)

[u/SkyLey2 → u/BetYoSheep]

So it's useless then.

What a shame 😔

[u/edcculus]

Whatever hack comes up now won’t involve an original unupdated console. So just inbox it and enjoy it, or sell it.

[u/BetYoSheep → u/edcculus]

+1. Update it, enjoy it , and if you can buy a bunch of games now so that you can stop updating and wait for an exploit while you enjoy it, that's the way to go

[u/lowmoob]

Maybe you should just buy games

[u/Gudedomo]

I was in the EXACT same situation as you. My backup day 1 Switch 2 was never turned on or updated. It wasn’t a priority to open because it’s a second Switch 2, my main one I use with my Nintendo account online. In the end I decided to open the backup Switch 2 and update it to the latest 23.0.0. There isn’t going to be a software based hack anyway so I’ll just leave it at that for now at least it’s still on a recent low enough firmware. Charged and updated, put back into the box. I’ll charge it every month or two. Wait for a hardware mod in the future.

[u/SkyLey2 → u/Gudedomo]

Did you try to use a formatted FAT32 card before updating?

That's the only thing keeping me out to update it at this point.

I don't wanna spend the money for nothing right now... 😅

(Or I guess you can test it even after updating though)

[u/proteinyogurt → u/Gudedomo]

Never say never! Maybe in 10 years there'll be a software based exploit?

[u/Gudedomo → u/proteinyogurt]

By then I’ll have bought a Switch 3 lol

[u/proteinyogurt → u/Gudedomo]

fairs