Nintendo Switch Firmware update 3.0.0 has been released

June 20, 2017

Nintendo has released a new firmware update for the Nintendo Switch, bringing the system’s firmware to 3.0.0.

Unlike the usual “stability improvements” that Nintendo fans have become accustomed to over the years, this update actually provides some substantial fixes and new features.

To name a few of the inclusions, players can now find lost controllers that are paired with the system. The Switch will call to the controller and make it vibrate, certainly handy if it’s conveniently behind some Amiibo you’ve purchased! Other handy functions include support for USB keyboards, the ability to use Pro Controllers when they’re connected via USB to the Switch dock, and adding friends from your Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Friends Lists.

And yes, that pesky issue with the Switch randomly changing TV inputs when watching other things has also been fixed – although admittedly this writer hasn’t run into that issue.

The full patch notes can be found below:

Improvements Included in Version 3.0.0

Added the following system functionality

  • Register a channel to receive News for specific games
    • To register, head to News > Find Channels
  • Add friends from your Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Friend Lists
    • To add friends, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Friend Suggestions
  • Receive notifications when your Friends go online
    • To turn this ON/OFF, head to System Settings > Notifications > Friend Notifications
  • Find paired controllers within communication range by activating the vibration feature
    • To search, head to Controllers > Find Controllers
  • Change the user icon order on the Home Menu
    • To change order, head to System Settings > Users > Change Order
  • Select from 6 new Splatoon 2 characters for user icon
    • To edit your user icon, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Profile
  • Change the system volume from the Quick Settings
    • To access Quick Settings, hold down the HOME Button
  • Lower the maximum volume for headphone or speakers connected to the audio jack
    • To lower the max headphone volume, head to System Settings > System > Lower Max Headphone Volume
      * This settings will be ON when Parental Controls are enabled
  • Change display colors to Invert Colors or Grayscale
    • To use this feature, head to System Settings > System > Change Display Colors
  • Use the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller via wired communication by connecting the USB charging cable
    • To enable, head to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Pro Controller Wired Communication
      * The NFC touchpoint on the Pro Controller will be disabled while the controller is using wired communication.
  • Update connected controllers
    • To update, head to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Update Controllers
  • Added a feature that suggests deletion of software data if there is insufficient space when downloading other software
    • To use this feature, head to System Settings > Data Management > Quick Archive
      * User save data is not deleted

General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience, including:

  • Resolved an issue that caused game software updates to fail and prevented the software from starting
  • Improvements to prevent unintended HDMI input change with certain TVs while the console is docked in Sleep Mode