How to Update Switch Games on Nintendo Switch

How to update Switch games is simple whether you use a digital download or physical game cartridge. On Nintendo Switch, you can update a game manually from the HOME Menu, enable automatic software updates, or match the game version with another nearby Nintendo Switch when you don’t have an internet connection.

Keeping Nintendo Switch games updated gives you the latest bug fixes, balance changes, compatibility updates, new features, and downloadable content support provided by the game developer.

Quick Answer: How to Update Switch Games

To manually update a Nintendo Switch game:

Connect your Nintendo Switch to the internet.
Go to the HOME Menu.
Highlight the game you want to update.
Do not open the game.
Press the + or – Button on your controller.
Select Software Update.
Select Via the Internet.
Wait for the update to download and install.

Nintendo confirms this as the standard manual method for updating software on Nintendo Switch.

Table of Contents

Why Should You Update Nintendo Switch Games?

Nintendo Switch game updates are separate from the console’s main system firmware.

A game update, sometimes called a software update or patch, changes the individual game.

Developers may release updates to:

Fix game bugs
Improve performance
Fix crashes
Add new content
Add multiplayer features
Adjust game balance
Improve compatibility
Support DLC
Fix online connectivity problems
Add quality-of-life improvements
Resolve security issues

Some games may also require a specific update before online multiplayer becomes available.

How to Update Switch Games Manually

Manual updating gives you direct control over which game checks for a new version.

Step 1: Connect the Switch to the Internet

Your Nintendo Switch needs an active internet connection when downloading an update directly from Nintendo.

Go to:

System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings

Then connect to your Wi-Fi network.

Step 2: Find the Game on the HOME Menu

Return to the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu.

Highlight the game that you want to update.

Do not launch it.

The same process works for:

Digital Nintendo Switch games
Physical cartridge games
Free-to-play games
Downloaded applications

Step 3: Press the Plus or Minus Button

With the game highlighted, press:

or:

–

on your controller.

This opens the game’s software options menu.

Nintendo confirms that both the + and - buttons can be used to access a software title’s menu.

Step 4: Select Software Update

Select:

Software Update

You should see options including:

Via the Internet
Match Version with Local Users

For a normal online update, choose:

Via the Internet

Nintendo Switch will then check Nintendo’s servers for the latest available version.

Step 5: Download the Update

If a newer game update is available, the Nintendo Switch will begin downloading it.

You can monitor download progress from the HOME Menu.

Once the download is complete, the update will normally install automatically.

You can then launch the game.

How to Automatically Update Switch Games

You do not have to manually check every Nintendo Switch game.

Nintendo Switch includes an Automatic Software Updates setting.

To enable it:

Open System Settings.
Scroll down to System.
Find Auto-Update Software.
Set it to On.
Keep your console connected to the internet.

Nintendo states that installed software can automatically download updates while the console is connected online when this option is enabled.

This is useful if you regularly play multiple games and want available updates downloaded automatically.

How to Update a Switch Game When You Open It

Nintendo Switch also checks for available software updates when you try to start a game.

If an update is available, you may receive a prompt asking you to download the new version before continuing.

Depending on the game and update requirements, you may be able to:

Download the update
Start the software without updating
Cancel and return to the HOME Menu

For online games, the latest software version may be required before connecting to multiplayer services.

Nintendo confirms that an online Switch may prompt you to download an available software update when starting the game or application.

How to Update Physical Switch Games

Physical Nintendo Switch cartridges are updated using essentially the same process as digital games.

Insert the cartridge and then:

Highlight the game on the HOME Menu.
Press + or –.
Select Software Update.
Select Via the Internet.
Download the available update.

The cartridge contains the base version of the game, while downloaded update data is stored on the Nintendo Switch or microSD card.

This means inserting an older physical cartridge does not automatically downgrade a game that already has newer update data installed.

How to Update Digital Switch Games

Games downloaded from Nintendo eShop use the same update system.

To manually check:

HOME Menu > Highlight Game > + / – > Software Update > Via the Internet

You do not normally need to download the complete game again.

The console downloads the update data required for the installed game.

How to Update Switch Games Without Internet

Nintendo Switch includes a useful feature called:

Match Version with Local Users

It lets nearby Nintendo Switch consoles exchange compatible game update data through local wireless communication.

An internet connection is not required for the update transfer itself.

How to Use Match Version With Local Users

On each Nintendo Switch:

Highlight the same game on the HOME Menu.
Press + or –.
Select Software Update.
Select Match Version with Local Users.
Select Next.
One player selects Create Group.
Other players select Join Group.
Start communication.

The consoles compare their installed game versions.

If one console has a newer compatible software version, the other consoles can update to match it.

Does Match Version With Local Users Require Internet?

No.

Nintendo specifically states that the software update data is transferred through local wireless communication, so an internet connection is not required during the process.

However, Nintendo recommends keeping the console itself on the latest supported system software for the feature to work correctly.

How to Check a Switch Game Version

You can check the version currently installed for a Nintendo Switch game from its software menu.

Highlight the game on the HOME Menu.
Press + or –.
Look near the top of the software information screen.

You may see something similar to:

Ver. 2.1.0

or:

Version 1.5.2

You can compare that version with the developer’s official patch notes to determine whether the latest game update is installed.

Switch Game Update vs System Update

A game update and Nintendo Switch system update are not the same thing.

Game Update

Updates an individual title.

Example path:

Game > + Button > Software Update > Via the Internet

System Update

Updates the Nintendo Switch operating system.

Path:

System Settings > System > System Update

Nintendo documents these as separate update processes.

Updating your console does not automatically mean every installed game has the newest game patch.

Do You Need to Update the Switch Before Updating Games?

Sometimes.

Normally, you can update games without manually updating the Nintendo Switch firmware first.

However, Nintendo notes that some software may not update when the console’s system version is too old. In that situation, you may need to update the console firmware first.

The system update path is:

System Settings > System > System Update

For a standard, unmodified Nintendo Switch, follow Nintendo’s normal update process.

If you use Atmosphere, Hekate, emuMMC, or other CFW, check compatibility before installing a new Nintendo firmware version.

How to Update Switch Games on Atmosphere

If your Nintendo Switch uses Atmosphere CFW, legitimate games can generally still use the normal software update mechanism when the environment and network configuration permit it.

The normal Nintendo method remains:

Highlight Game > + / – > Software Update > Via the Internet

However, CFW users should separate two different updates:

Game update
Nintendo system firmware update

A game may eventually require a newer system firmware.

Before updating Nintendo firmware on an Atmosphere setup, confirm that your:

Atmosphere version
Hekate version
Fusee payload
emuMMC configuration
Homebrew
Sysmodules

support the target firmware.

Do not update Nintendo firmware simply because a game prompts you without first checking CFW compatibility.

How to Update Switch Games on emuMMC

If Atmosphere switch runs from emuMMC, the game and update data available in that environment depend on how your emuMMC is configured.

For a legitimately installed game, the normal software-update interface is still:

HOME Menu > Game > + / – > Software Update

Before allowing any process that also requires a Nintendo system firmware update, verify that your current Atmosphere and Hekate environment supports the target firmware.

Game updates and emuMMC firmware updates should be treated as separate operations.

How Much Storage Do Switch Game Updates Need?

Update size varies significantly between games.

A patch might be:

A few megabytes
Several hundred megabytes
Multiple gigabytes

Large games may receive substantial updates containing textures, levels, multiplayer content, bug fixes, or downloadable assets.

If you do not have enough storage, you may need to:

Free internal storage
Delete unused software
Archive games
Free microSD card space
Use a larger compatible microSD card

Where Are Switch Game Updates Stored?

Downloaded game update data is stored separately from the physical game cartridge.

Depending on your storage configuration, software data can use:

Nintendo Switch internal storage
microSD card storage

Your game save data is handled separately from ordinary software update data.

This is important because deleting or archiving game software is different from deleting save data.

Can You Update a Switch Game While Playing Another Game?

Nintendo Switch can download software data in the background in many situations.

However, network activity and downloads may pause or slow depending on:

The game currently running
Online multiplayer activity
Network usage
Console state
Available bandwidth

For the fastest update process, leave the console on the HOME Menu with the download running.

Why Is My Switch Game Not Updating?

Several issues can prevent Nintendo Switch game updates.

No Internet Connection

Check:

System Settings > Internet > Test Connection

Make sure your console has a stable connection.

Nintendo Switch Firmware Is Too Old

Some software updates require newer system software.

Nintendo notes that outdated system firmware can prevent some titles from updating.

Check:

System Settings > System > System Update

CFW users should verify compatibility before installing a system update.

Not Enough Storage

Large game updates may fail if there is insufficient free space.

Check:

System Settings > Data Management

Review available internal and microSD storage.

Download Is Paused

Look at the game’s HOME Menu icon.

If the download is paused, select the icon and resume it.

Network Connection Is Slow

A large update can take considerably longer on a slow Wi-Fi connection.

Try:

Moving closer to the router
Restarting the router
Reconnecting to Wi-Fi
Avoiding heavy network usage
Using a wired LAN connection where supported

Game Data Is Corrupted

If a title continues failing after downloading an update, Nintendo provides an option for checking software for corrupt data.

Go to:

System Settings > Data Management > Manage Software > Select Game > Check for Corrupt Data

Nintendo recommends checking software updates and corrupt data when troubleshooting games that freeze or fail to work correctly.

Why Does My Switch Say a Software Update Is Required?

This normally means the installed game version is older than the version required for a feature you are trying to use.

For example:

Online multiplayer requires a newer version.
DLC requires an updated base game.
The developer released a mandatory patch.
Another local console has a different version.
The game requires compatibility changes.

Choose:

Software Update > Via the Internet

to check for the newest available version.

Can You Play a Switch Game Without Updating?

Sometimes.

Whether you can skip an update depends on the game and what you are trying to do.

Offline single-player games may sometimes allow you to continue using the currently installed version.

However, an update may be required for:

Online multiplayer
New DLC
Network services
Bug fixes
New content
Compatibility with other players

If the game requires the new version, you will need to update it before accessing those features.

Do Switch Game Updates Happen Automatically?

They can.

Enable:

System Settings > System > Auto-Update Software

When enabled and connected to the internet, Nintendo Switch can automatically download available software updates.

You can still manually check for an update at any time.

How to Force a Switch Game to Check for Updates

There is no complicated refresh process required.

Simply use:

HOME Menu > Highlight Game > + / – > Software Update > Via the Internet

The Nintendo Switch will contact Nintendo’s update service and check whether a newer software version is available.

If you already have the latest version, the console will tell you that you are using the latest software.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I update games on Nintendo Switch?

Highlight the game on the HOME Menu, press + or –, select Software Update, then choose Via the Internet.

Do Switch games automatically update?

Yes, if Auto-Update Software is enabled and the console is connected to the internet. You can enable it under System Settings > System.

How do I manually update a Switch game?

Use:

Game > + / – > Software Update > Via the Internet

The console will check for and download the latest available version.

Can I update Switch games without Wi-Fi?

Yes. If another nearby Switch has a newer compatible version of the same game, use Software Update > Match Version with Local Users. Update data is transferred through local wireless communication.

How do I update physical Nintendo Switch games?

Insert the cartridge, highlight the game’s icon, press + or –, and select Software Update > Via the Internet.

How do I update digital Switch games?

Use the same process as physical games:

HOME Menu > Game > + / – > Software Update > Via the Internet

Why won’t my Switch game update?

Common causes include insufficient storage, weak internet connectivity, outdated system firmware, a paused download, or corrupt software data.

Do I need to update Nintendo Switch firmware to update games?

Not always. However, some newer game versions may require a newer Nintendo Switch system version.

Can I update Switch games using another Switch?

Yes. Select Software Update > Match Version with Local Users on both consoles and create or join a local group.

Will updating a Switch game delete my save data?

A normal software update does not normally delete game save data. Save data and software/update data are managed separately by the Nintendo Switch.

How do I check if a Switch game is fully updated?

Highlight the game and select:

+ / – > Software Update > Via the Internet

If no newer update exists, the Switch will indicate that you are using the latest software version.

Conclusion

Learning how to update Switch games only takes a few steps. For a manual update, highlight the game from the Nintendo Switch HOME Menu, press + or –, and select Software Update > Via the Internet. Nintendo also provides automatic software updates and local version matching when internet access is unavailable.

For most users, enabling Auto-Update Software keeps installed Nintendo Switch games current without repeatedly checking them manually. If you use Atmosphere, Hekate, or emuMMC, keep game updates separate from Nintendo system firmware updates and verify CFW compatibility before installing any firmware version required by a newer game.

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