Nintendo has patched the Switch 2’s first jailbreak, so it looks like the party is over for now

Nintendo has reportedly patched the Switch 2's first jailbreak, ending a brief period of freedom for the console. The jailbreak involved using the Switch programming app SmileBASIC and the game Civilization VII to access the device's filesystem module and execute native code with elevated system permissions. This exploit led to a surge in emulators and translation layers, with popular titles like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time becoming playable on PC and Mac.

However, the latest Switch 2 firmware update 23.5.0 has put an end to this unauthorized activity. The update blocks the exploit, making it impossible to dump and mod games from updated handhelds. Those who have already jailbroken their Switch 2 consoles can continue using their unlocked devices, provided they do not update to the latest firmware.

It is worth noting that Nintendo did not introduce new master encryption keys with the firmware update, meaning physical cartridges can still be dumped. However, digital releases with Game-Key Cards will not be accessible. The initial Switch 2 exploit was uncovered with the help of AI, and it is likely that someone will employ Claude to jailbreak the handheld's latest firmware again.

Despite this, Nintendo's firmware update 23.5.0 does not acknowledge the exploit in its patch notes.