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The Nintendo Switch system software (also known by its codename Horizon)[3] is an updatable firmware and operating system used by the Nintendo Switchvideo game console. It is based on a proprietary microkernel. The UI includes a HOME screen, consisting of the top bar, the screenshot viewer ("Album") Icons, and shortcuts to the Nintendo eShop, News, and Settings.
Technology
OS
Nintendo has released only limited information about the Switch's internals to the public. However, computer security researchers, homebrew software developers, and the authors of emulators have all analyzed the operating system in great depth.[4][5][3]
Notable findings include that the Switch operating system is codenamed Horizon, that it is an evolution of the Nintendo 3DS system software, and that it implements a proprietary microkernel architecture.[4][3] All drivers run in userspace, including the Nvidia driver which the security researchers described as "kind of similar to the Linux driver". The graphics driver features an undocumented thin API layer, called NVN, which is "kind of like Vulkan"[4] but exposes most hardware features like OpenGL compatibility profile with Nvidia extensions. All userspace processes are sandboxed and use Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), a computer security technique involved in preventing exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities.[4][3]
Nintendo made efforts to design the system software to be as minimalist as possible, with the home menu's graphical assets using less than 200 kilobytes. This minimalism is meant to improve system performance and launch games faster.[6]
As early as July 2018, Nintendo has been trying to counter Switch homebrewing and piracy. Measures include an online ban, and on the hardware side, patching of the Tegra to prevent exploits.[7] On 11 December 2018, Nintendo sued Mikel Euskaldunak for selling a Switch modification that can play pirated games.[8] Since August 2019, the difficulty of homebrewing has gone up, as the new Mariko chip replaced the old Erista chip.[9][10] After the release of the Lite in late 2019, tools for hacking all Switch consoles were announced.[11] In September 2020, Gary Bowser was arrested in the Dominican Republic, and later appeared in court in the USA afterwards.[12] The prosecution alleges that Bowser was a piracy group leader.[13]
Open source components
Despite popular misconceptions to the contrary, Horizon is not largely derived from FreeBSD code, nor from Android, although the software licence[14] and reverse engineering efforts[15][16] have revealed that Nintendo does use some code from both in some system services and drivers. For example, the networking stack in the Switch OS is derived at least in part from FreeBSD code.[15] Nintendo's use of FreeBSD networking code is legal as it is made available under the permissive BSD licence, and not even particularly unusual – for instance and interface, the Microsoft WindowsTCP/IP stack (used since at least 2000 and XP) was originally derived from BSD code in a similar fashion, using part of its TCP/IP code for its implementation of TCP/IP, which was legal.[17][better source needed][18]
Components derived from Android code include the Stagefright multimedia framework,[19] as well as components of the graphics stack[5] including the display server (derived from SurfaceFlinger)[16] and the graphics driver (which seems to be derived from Nvidia's proprietary Linux driver).[20]
Although a full web browser intended for general browsing is not available on the console as of April 2024[update], several so-called 'applets' are included which utilise the WebKit rendering engine to display web content within a stripped back interface. A WebKit-powered applet is used to allow users to log in to captive portals when connecting to certain wireless networks, as well as for operating system features such as the Nintendo eShop, social media integrations, and digital manuals.[21][22]
User interface
Home screen
The Nintendo Switch home screen has battery, Internet and time information in the top right corner, and below it is a grid showing all software on the system, downloaded or physical. Underneath that it has shortcuts to OS functions such as Nintendo Switch Online, the News, eShop, Album, Controller settings, System Settings, and a Sleep Mode button.[23] Unlike previous Nintendo systems, the Nintendo Switch home screen currently lacks an Internet browser and a messaging system.
News
The News function of the Nintendo Switch software allows users to read gaming news and advertisements provided by Nintendo and third-party developers.[24] News is also displayed when the system is locked.[25]
The News interface was originally available in the 1.0.0 version of the software, however new headlines were not transmitted until the 2.0.0 update was released. The 3.0.0 update revamped the News system, adding multiple news "channels" for different games that users can subscribe to. The news headlines that appear depend on which channels are subscribed to. The 4.0.0 update further improved the News screen, updating its layout. The 9.0.0 update added search support to the News channel, allowing users to narrow the list via filters or free text.[2] The 10.0.0 update added a "Bookmark" feature, allowing users to save their favorite News articles.[26][24]
The Nintendo eShop option on the Home menu opens a WebKit-based[22] interface that allows games to be purchased and downloaded from the Nintendo eShop.
As well as games, the eShop offers select non-gaming apps. Niconico, a popular Japanese video service, launched for the Switch in Japan on 13 July 2017 and was the Switch's first third-party media app in any market.[27]Hulu was the first video streaming application released for the Switch in the United States on 9 November 2017.[28] In June 2018, Fils-Aimé said that conversations to bring Netflix to the Switch were "on-going".[29] A YouTube application was released on 8 November 2018.[30] On 4 November 2020, a trial version app of the Tencent Video streaming service was launched exclusively for Nintendo Switch consoles officially distributed by Tencent in mainland China. An official version app will be launched at a later date.[31]Funimation launched their own streaming app for the Nintendo Switch, featuring a reworked layout and new functions. The app became available via eShop in the United States and Canada on 15 December 2020, and will launch in various other countries at a later date,[32] such as the United Kingdom and Ireland on 22 March 2021.[33] A version of the Twitch app launched for the Nintendo Switch on 11 November 2021 in most regions worldwide. The eShop version of the app allows users to watch or follow any live or recorded content on Twitch, but does not support any native ability for Switch players to contribute content.[34]
Korg Gadget, a music production app, was released for the Nintendo Switch on 26 April 2018.[35]InkyPen, a comics and manga subscription app, launched exclusively on the Switch worldwide in December 2018.[36] Izneo, another comics and manga subscription service, was released for the Switch in February 2019.[37]FUZE4, a text-based programming language app, was released in August 2019.[38]
Album
The Album stores captured screenshots and videos. Pressing the "Capture" button on the controller, in supported software, will save a screenshot, either to the microSD card, or to the system memory. The Album allows users to view screenshots that have been taken. Screenshots can be edited by adding text, and they can be shared to Facebook or Twitter.[39] In addition, in supported games, holding down the Capture button briefly will save the last 30 seconds of video to the Album. It can then be trimmed and posted online.[40]
The 2.0.0 update added the ability to post screenshots to Facebook or Twitter from within the system UI, making it easier to share screenshots. The 4.0.0 update added support for saving 30 second videos, in compatible games. The 14.0.0 updated added the ability to download screenshots and videos to a PC via a USB cable or to a Mobile device via a webpage hosting the files generated by the Switch.
Regardless of the amount of free space on the systems internal memory or microSD card there is a hard limit on the number of screenshots and videos that can be stored.[41]
On May 9, 2024, it was announced that, as of June 10, 2024, that it would no longer be possible to post screenshots and videos on Twitter due to API changes.[42]
Controllers
The Controllers menu allows controllers to be paired, disconnected, or reconnected. The 3.0.0 update added the "Find Controllers" option, which allows any nearby controllers that have been paired to be remotely turned on and vibrated, to help find lost controllers.[43]
Settings
The Settings option allows for system settings to be changed, and includes other functionality, such as creating Miis.[44]
Recovery Mode
The Nintendo Switch has a hidden Recovery Mode (RCM) feature, which can be accessed by powering off the unit, then using a specially-constructed jig to short-circuit two pins on the right-hand Joy-Con connector, and then holding down the volume up button while powering on the unit. The unit would then boot without the Nintendo logo, indicating that Recovery Mode has been successfully activated. The feature is also used as an exploit on unpatched version 1.0.0 units to run homebrew software, which has been investigated for the purpose of digital forensics acquisition.[45]
History of updates
The initial version of the system software for Nintendo Switch on the launch day consoles was updated as a "day one" patch on 3 March 2017, the console's launch date.[46] The update added online features that were previously missing from the original software before its official launch date. Some notable features of this update are access to the Nintendo eShop as well as the ability to add friends to a friends list, similar to that of the Nintendo 3DS.[47] On 7 June 2021, patch 12.0.3 was released, but was removed 12 hours later for problems with network connections as well as issues with MicroSDXC cards.[48]
The April 2021 firmware update was found by dataminers to have added rudimentary support for Bluetooth audio.[49][50] This support was expanded and made available to regular users on September 14, 2021, when patch 13.0 was released. Patch 13.0 also added the ability to apply software updates to the Switch Dock (only applicable for docks released with the Switch OLED Model, which have a built-in LAN port), and a new setting for Sleep Mode that allows the Switch to maintain an Internet connection when the Switch is asleep to download updates. When disabled, the console will only connect to the Internet occasionally when asleep, in order to save power. Additionally, Patch 13.0 changed the method to initiate a control stick calibration and allowed users to view their wireless Internet frequency band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) on the Internet Connection Status page.
In November 2021, the 13.1.0 version update added support for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.[51]
The 14.0.0 update in March 2022 added a Groups feature, allowing users to sort games into groups as a means to declutter the game collection screen.[52]
General stability improvements with unknown fixed issues.
11.0.1
December 11, 2020
Following issues fixed.
Some games could not be played correctly
On some TVs, an image would not be displayed and an error would occur
The Control Stick and C Stick on the Nintendo GameCube controller would respond incorrectly
General stability improvements.
12.0.0
April 6, 2021
Following issues fixed.
In rare cases, an automatic backup of save data would be interrupted if a communication error occurred
12.0.1
April 20, 2021
General stability improvements.
12.0.2
May 12, 2021
General stability improvements.
12.0.3
June 8, 2021
General stability improvements.
12.1.0
July 6, 2021
New features integrated.
Limited space on internal storage or an microSD card during a software download will trigger a prompt to delete old data to make space
General stability improvements.
13.0.0
September 15, 2021
New features integrated,
Bluetooth audio support was opened up
Update Dock option added into System Settings for docks with a LAN port
Maintain Internet Connection in Sleep Mode option added into System Settings
Initiating Calibrate Control Sticks in System Settings changed
Ability to view whether a wireless network connection is 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz in Connection Status
13.1.0
October 26, 2021
New features integrated.
Support added for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
General stability improvements.
13.2.0
December 1, 2021
General stability improvements.
13.2.1
January 20, 2022
General stability improvements.
14.0.0
March 22, 2022
New features integrated.
The Groups feature was added to All Software on the HOME Menu
Ability to control Bluetooth audio device volume through the volume buttons
14.1.0
April 5, 2022
New features integrated.
Platinum Point Notification Setting added under Notification settings
14.1.1
April 19, 2022
General stability improvements.
14.1.2
June 14, 2022
General stability improvements.
15.0.0
October 11, 2022
The following features have changed.
The Bluetooth Audio menu within System Settings have moved
Screenshots can be taken within the Nintendo Switch Online application on the HOME Menu.
General stability improvements.
15.0.1
October 31, 2022
Following issues fixed.
Error Code: 2181-1000 occurred when playing content from a console that is not the primary console
Screenshots could not be taken in specific in-game scenes for some games
General stability improvements.
16.0.0
February 20, 2023
The following feature has changed.
User nicknames that cannot be used will be replaced with “???”
General stability improvements.
16.0.1
March 23, 2023
General stability improvements.
16.0.2
April 17, 2023
General stability improvements.
16.0.3
May 8, 2023
General stability improvements.
16.1.0
August 21, 2023
General stability improvements.
17.0.0
October 10, 2023
General stability improvements.
17.0.1
December 4, 2023
Following issues fixed.
Resolved an issue with local communication for some software.
General stability improvements.
18.0.0
March 25, 2024
Following issues fixed.
Bugs in parental control on Korean systems have been resolved.
The following features have changed.
Added the "15 mins" option to put the console to sleep in TV/dock mode.
General stability improvements.
18.0.1
April 22, 2024
Following issues fixed.
Fixed an issue where some wireless access points cannot be found when setting up a new wireless network
General stability improvements
18.1.0
June 10, 2024
The following updates were made for the discontinuation of X (formerly Twitter) integration:
The option to "Post to Twitter" when sharing from the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu was removed.
The ability to post Super Smash Bros. Ultimate screenshots from the Album in the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu to Smash World in the Nintendo Switch Online smart device app was removed.
The option to link X (formerly Twitter) from "Settings" > "User Settings" > "Posting to Social Media" was removed.
The option to link social media accounts from "My Page" > "Friend Suggestions" was removed.
General stability improvements.
19.0.0
October 7, 2024
General stability improvements.
19.0.1
October 28, 2024
Following issues fixed.
Fixed an issue with the Nintendo GameCube Controller Adapter and Nintendo GameCube Controller(s) not being recognized
Fixed an issue where some network processes, like downloading software, weren’t working as expected during sleep mode
