Nintendo has rolled out system update 23.0.0 for both the Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Switch 2. This significant update brings Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support to the Switch 2 when it is used in TV mode, a feature that enhances visual smoothness by synchronizing the display's refresh rate with the game's frame rate. For VRR to function, both the game software and the connected television must support the technology. Additionally, an update to the Switch 2 Dock is required to enable this feature.
The update also introduces a complete system transfer capability for the Switch 2, allowing users to move all data, including save files and screenshots, from an older Switch 2 to a new one. This will be particularly useful for players acquiring special edition models or upgrading their hardware.
Among other changes, the update enhances the "GameChat" feature by displaying previously participated chats and allowing users to join new chats without selecting friends. A button has been added to change screen size during chats, and a "Settings" option is now available on the "Virtual Game Card" list screen to check device registration status.
Accessibility features have been expanded with support for Portuguese (Brazil) in text-to-speech functionality under "Accessibility" settings. The "Voice-to-Text Conversion for Game Chat" also now includes Portuguese (Brazil) for text-to-speech conversion. "Audio" settings related to "TV Sound" will now be saved per connected TV, and "Display" settings have been updated; "Dock Output Information" has been renamed to "Video Output Information" for more detailed checks of video signals compatible with the connected TV. A "VRR Settings" option has also been added to the "Display" section.
Further enhancements include a feature for Mii creation, allowing users to generate and share QR codes of their Miis, and the ability to play and check sound effects instantly when adjusting volume under "Sleep" settings. The "System" menu now includes "Switch Software Operation Mode" with an option to toggle "Handheld Mode Boost" in Quick Settings, accessible by long-pressing the HOME button. A new option, "Transfer all to Nintendo Switch 2," has also been added to the "System" menu.
For software management, the update allows temporary play of titles using an online license if a virtual game card cannot be transferred from another console, provided the user is the purchaser. This "Play with Online License" button appears when a transfer is not possible, such as when another console is offline.
Additionally, background music can now be played and managed on the Mii editing screen. When using "Handheld Mode Boost," other controllers can be used even with Joy-Con 2s attached. Play time records in "My Page" → "Profile" will now aggregate time spent on the same software across multiple consoles, displaying games in chronological order of when they were played since the update.
The update also includes various fixes for several issues and general improvements to operational stability across both consoles. For the original Nintendo Switch, update 23.0.0 also adds the "Settings" option to the "Virtual Game Card" list screen and the "Play with Online License" functionality for software access under similar conditions as the Switch 2. Stability improvements and issue fixes are also noted for the original Switch.