Nintendo Switch version 20.1.5 update reportedly adds faster unlocking and improved cursor behavior

Nintendo has released version 20.1.5 for the Switch family of consoles, including the OLED model, Lite, and Switch 2. Officially, the update is described by Nintendo as offering “general system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.” But users online are already spotting concrete usability tweaks that go beyond the vague description.

To update your Nintendo Switch system, head to the System Settings from the Home menu, scroll down to System, and select System Update. The console will then check for the latest firmware version and install it if available. While the Switch typically downloads updates automatically when connected to the internet, a manual check is useful if the update hasn’t been triggered yet. Nintendo recommends restarting the console if you encounter any issues during the update process.

Reddit users on r/NintendoSwitch report that the update eliminates the slight delay when unlocking the system using Joy-Con controllers after waking from sleep. Several players have noted what they describe as a smoother, more responsive experience, though Nintendo has not officially detailed these changes.

Another subtle change, according to Reddit user BeemoAdvance, involves how the Home button behaves during gameplay. They observed that pressing Home now places the cursor on the currently running game tile, which mirrors the behavior of the original Switch. Previously, the Switch 2 reportedly defaulted to highlighting the profile icon instead, a change that some users claim disrupted their established muscle memory.

While Nintendo has not officially acknowledged these adjustments in its patch notes, several users online have reportedly pointed them out as possible quality-of-life improvements. As with previous firmware updates, players appear to be relying on community observations to identify what may have changed beyond the stated system stability notes.