Stop Nintendo Switch Game Updates: A Simple Guide

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Stop Nintendo Switch Game Updates: A Simple Guide

Hey guys! Ever been in that situation where you just wanna dive into your favorite Nintendo Switch game, but BAM! You're hit with a game update that seems to take forever? Yeah, it's a mood killer. Let's explore how to manage those updates and keep your gaming time uninterrupted.

Why Stop Game Updates?

Before we get into the how-to, let's chat about why you might wanna stop those updates in the first place. While game updates are usually a good thing – bringing you cool new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements – they can sometimes be a real pain. Imagine you're about to start an epic boss battle on your commute, and suddenly you're stuck watching a loading bar. Not ideal, right?

Sometimes, updates can also mess with mods or glitches that you enjoy using. For example, if you're into speedrunning and rely on a specific bug in the game, updating it might patch that bug out. Or, perhaps you're playing offline and don't need the latest changes. Whatever your reason, knowing how to control game updates on your Nintendo Switch can be super handy.

Plus, let's be real, some of us have limited data or slower internet connections. Downloading huge updates can eat up your data allowance or take ages, leaving you twiddling your thumbs instead of gaming. So, understanding how to manage these updates puts you in control of your gaming experience. It's all about playing when and how you want, without those pesky interruptions.

Methods to Stop Nintendo Switch Game Updates

Alright, let's dive into the nitty-gritty. Here are some methods you can use to stop game updates on your Nintendo Switch. Keep in mind that the Switch is designed to automatically download updates, so completely stopping them can be a bit tricky. But don't worry, I've got some workarounds for you.

Method 1: Airplane Mode

The simplest and most direct way to prevent game updates is by enabling Airplane Mode. This cuts off all wireless communication, meaning your Switch can't connect to the internet to download updates. To do this:

  1. Go to System Settings from the home menu.
  2. Scroll down to Airplane Mode.
  3. Turn it On.

Keep in mind that while Airplane Mode is active, you won't be able to use any online features, like multiplayer or accessing the eShop. But hey, if you just want some uninterrupted single-player action, this is the way to go. Just remember to turn it off when you need to connect online again!

Method 2: Disable Automatic Software Downloads

Your Nintendo Switch has a setting that allows you to disable automatic software downloads. By turning this off, you can prevent the system from automatically downloading updates for your games. Here’s how you do it:

  1. Go to System Settings from the home menu.
  2. Scroll down to System.
  3. Select Automatic Software Downloads.
  4. Set the option to Off.

Disabling automatic software downloads gives you more control over when your games are updated. However, it's important to note that this doesn't completely stop updates. The Switch might still check for updates when you launch a game, but it won't download them without your permission. This means you'll get a prompt asking if you want to update, giving you the choice to decline.

Method 3: Manage Individual Game Downloads

Sometimes, you might want to update some games but not others. The Nintendo Switch allows you to manage downloads on a per-game basis. This is useful if you want to keep certain games in their current state while updating others.

  1. From the home menu, highlight the game you want to manage.
  2. Press the + or - button on your Joy-Con or Pro Controller to open the options menu.
  3. Select Software Update.
  4. Choose Via the Internet to check for updates. If an update is available, you can choose whether to download it or not.

By managing updates individually, you have a granular level of control over which games get updated. This is perfect for those situations where you want to keep a specific game untouched while still enjoying the latest features and fixes in other games.

Method 4: Using a Secondary Account

This method is a bit more involved, but it can be effective if you have multiple Nintendo Switch consoles or are willing to create a new user account. The idea is to use a secondary account that isn't linked to your main Nintendo account to play the games you don't want to be updated.

  1. Create a new user account on your Nintendo Switch.
  2. Purchase or download the game you want to play on this new account.
  3. Disable automatic updates on this account.

Since the account isn't linked to your main account, it won't automatically update the game. This can be useful if you want to preserve a specific version of a game for speedrunning or other purposes. However, keep in mind that you might need to purchase the game again on the new account, which can be a drawback.

Method 5: DNS Settings (Advanced Users)

This method is more advanced and involves changing your Nintendo Switch's DNS settings to block Nintendo's update servers. This prevents your console from connecting to the servers that distribute game updates. Here’s a general idea of how it works:

  1. Go to System Settings from the home menu.
  2. Select Internet.
  3. Choose Internet Settings.
  4. Select your network and then choose Change Settings.
  5. Set DNS Settings to Manual.
  6. Enter custom DNS addresses that block Nintendo's update servers.

Keep in mind that this method can be risky, as it involves modifying your console's network settings. It's also possible that Nintendo could block these custom DNS servers in the future. Proceed with caution and make sure you understand the risks involved before attempting this method. There are guides available online that provide specific DNS addresses to use, but always do your research and ensure the source is trustworthy.

Considerations Before Stopping Updates

Before you go all-in on stopping those game updates, there are a few things to consider. Updates aren't just about bug fixes and new content; they also often include important security patches. Running outdated software can make your system more vulnerable to exploits or other issues.

Also, keep in mind that some online games require you to have the latest version to play with others. If you're rocking an older version, you might not be able to join your friends in multiplayer sessions. So, think about the potential trade-offs before you decide to block updates.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To make things super clear, here’s a step-by-step guide to disabling automatic updates:

  1. Power on your Nintendo Switch: Make sure your console is on and you’re on the home screen.
  2. Navigate to System Settings: Use the joystick to scroll through the icons until you find the gear-shaped System Settings icon. Select it by pressing the A button.
  3. Scroll Down to System: In the System Settings menu, scroll down until you see the System option. It’s usually near the bottom of the list.
  4. Select Automatic Software Downloads: In the System menu, look for the Automatic Software Downloads option. Select it.
  5. Turn Off Automatic Software Downloads: If the option is set to On, select it to toggle it to Off. This will prevent your Nintendo Switch from automatically downloading updates for your games.
  6. Confirm Your Choice: The system may ask you to confirm your choice. Simply select Yes or OK to confirm that you want to disable automatic software downloads.

And that's it! You've successfully disabled automatic game updates on your Nintendo Switch. Remember that you can always re-enable this option later if you change your mind.

Conclusion

So there you have it! You now know several ways to stop game updates on your Nintendo Switch. Whether you choose to use Airplane Mode, disable automatic downloads, or manage updates individually, you have the power to control your gaming experience. Just remember to weigh the pros and cons before you make your decision. Happy gaming, folks!