Nintendo patches key exploit: What’s left of the Switch 2 jailbreak?

It was only in October that developer Sammy "pepsipu" Hajhamid unveiled a purely software-based jailbreak for the Nintendo Switch 2. It allowed users to run custom programs, back up save files and modify games. For now, however, those possibilities appear to be off the table – at least on consoles running the new system update 23.5.0.

According to dataminer OatmealDome, Nintendo has patched the operating system vulnerability exploited by the jailbreak. Known entry points in games such as SmileBASIC 4 and Civilization VII haven't disappeared entirely. However, starting with firmware 23.5.0, users reportedly can no longer escape the restricted environment of the respective game. Incidentally, the update also introduces a new gifting feature for the Switch, which could prove particularly interesting with Christmas just around the corner.

Is this the end of Switch 2 mods?

This is a major setback for the homebrew community. According to OatmealDome, the update once again largely prevents users from extracting and modifying data from newer games. However, game mods on the Switch 2 aren't completely dead. Anyone who hasn't installed the update can still use the existing jailbreak. OatmealDome also suggests that extracting game data may remain possible with certain upcoming physical releases and potentially some individual game updates. Game data that has already been copied will also remain available. Nintendo can't retroactively remove it through the update. Whether another approach will eventually replace the patched exploit – and how long that might take – remains to be seen.