Nintendo has a knack for putting out useless firmware updates for the Switch that seem to do nothing of value, but firmware update 8.0.0, which was rolled out yesterday, is – for once – not so useless, and actually adds a couple of nifty (if basic) features.
For starters, you can finally sort your software. Sorting can be done by the software’s name, its publisher, on the basis of when you used them last, and on the basis of how much you’ve used them in total. The firmware update also makes it possible to transfer your save data across systems- even after having completed the transfer, your save data will also remain on the system where it originated.
There’s also a new Zoom function. Once you’ve enabled it in system settings, you’ll be able to zoom in on stuff on the Home menu, for what it’s worth. Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea can also now be selected as regions, while VR-specific restrictions have been added to Parental Controls. Finally, there’s also fifteen new icons that you can select as your user image, from Yoshi’s Crafted World and Splatoon 2.
You can take a look at the full change log below.
Improvements Included in Version 8.0.0 (Distributed 04/15/2019)
Added the following system functionality:
- A Sort Software feature is available after selecting to view All Software from the HOME Menu
- Software can be sorted by time last played, total play time, software title, and software publisher
- The All Software option displays when there are 13 or more software icons on the HOME Menu
- A View All Available News option is available within News, allowing you to view all news items currently being distributed
- Go to News > Channel List > View More
- Select from 15 new icons from the Splatoon™ 2 and Yoshi’s Crafted World™ games for your user
- To edit your user icon, head to your My Page on the top left of the HOME Menu > Profile
- A feature to Transfer Your Save Data is now available, allowing you to transfer your save data for individual games between your Nintendo Switch systems
- Go to System Settings > Data Management > Transfer Your Save Data
- Save data will not remain on your source system after the transfer process completes
- A Zoom feature can be enabled from within System Settings
- Go to System Settings > System to turn Zoom ON
- Once enabled, you can use the Zoom feature by pressing the HOME Button twice
- An option is available to prevent the system from waking from Sleep Mode when an AC adapter is disconnected
- Go to System Settings > Sleep Mode > Wake When AC Adapter is Disconnected
- This also applies when undocking your console
- A VR Mode (3D Visuals) restriction is available within Parental Controls
- This will also be available in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app through a later update
- Go to System Settings > Parental Controls
- These settings can also be changed from within Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit
- Hong Kong / Taiwan / South Korea is available for selection in Region
- Go to System Settings > System > Region
- The following names have been changed (functionality remains the same)
- Save Data Cloud Backup > Save Data Cloud
- Transfer Your User and Save Data > Transfer Your User Data
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience.
