May 28, 2025, 9:40 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Nintendo has released update 20.1.0 for the Switch. In addition to visual and audio changes, it includes a key feature: preparing the current console for data transfer to the Nintendo Switch 2, which will be released in a few days.
Nintendo regularly releases updates for its current console. The latest update brings the system to version 20.1.0 and is available for download starting today. This time, the manufacturer not only provides bug fixes but also introduces some new features to the Switch. These include minor design and sound adjustments, but the current Switch update also paves the way for a smooth transition to the Nintendo Switch 2. TECHBOOK editor-in-chief Rita Deutschbein explains what this entails.
Switch Update 20.1 with Three Core Innovations
The 20.1 update for the Switch includes three main innovations: First, Nintendo has visually adjusted the parental control settings. The parental control button now appears in a striking red on the home screen. Second, the manufacturer has also changed the sound that plays when launching Nintendo Switch Online from the home menu. According to Nintendo, these adjustments are intended to improve clarity and user guidance.
The centerpiece of the 20.1 update is the transfer function to the Switch 2. Nintendo calls it “System Transfer.” Anyone wishing to transfer content from a Switch to the Switch 2, which will be released on June 5, must first update to version 20.1.0. The transfer is done via local data exchange and requires both consoles to be up to date. Nintendo aims to ensure a smooth transition between generations–a concept previously applied to earlier consoles like the Wii U or the New Nintendo 3DS.
In addition to these three innovations, the company is once again rolling out “general system stability improvements.” As always, Nintendo remains silent on which technical details are specifically affected. Nevertheless, these measures are intended to contribute to an overall smoother performance of the console.
Earlier Updates Also Quite Comprehensive
The 20.1 update for the Switch follows version 20.0.1, which corrected an error after the comprehensive 20.0.0 update, TECHBOOK reported. At that time, Nintendo introduced features such as Virtual Game Cards and a GameShare function–features that are also relevant for the upcoming Switch 2.