Nintendo Shuts Down Switch 2 Jailbreak, Sending Hackers Back To Square One

Nintendo pushed firmware version 23.5.0 to both the Switch and Switch 2, closing the vulnerability that enabled the console's first jailbreak. The update does not mention the fix in its official patch notes, but it stops the exploit chain that allowed users to escape games and run unsigned code.

The jailbreak was first discovered in late October through SmileBASIC 4, letting users add modded characters to Mario Kart World and run homebrew software, though it did not grant full control over the Switch 2. Shortly after, hackers found a second entry point using a physical copy of Civilization VII, exploiting the game's chat feature to inject code via a connected USB device.

According to GoNintendo, the exploits themselves still exist in the system, but the new firmware prevents users from getting out of a game to implement them. Wccftech reports that game dumping and modding have been rendered impossible by the update.

Nintendo Everything confirmed the jailbreak has been fixed. Kotaku described the move as sending hackers back to square one. GamesRadar+ noted the patch arrived as a Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake appeared on PC, with a popular dataminer saying the update makes mods and game dumping "impossible again."

GoNintendo also reported that 2K is potentially recalling physical Switch copies of Civilization VII due to the hacking exploit. Nintendo Everything added that Civilization 7 was being used to hack the Switch 2, prompting the recall.

Commenters on GoNintendo noted surprise that the vulnerability was missed initially, with one stating they would be very surprised if another software jailbreak appears soon, noting the original Switch has not had a purely software jailbreak since 2018.