Nintendo Switch Update 4.0 Is Out Now, Adds Save File Transfers, Video Capture, and More

Out of nowhere, Nintendo dropped a new update for the Nintendo Switch yesterday, introducing a bunch of new features to the system that they have either long promised, or that fans were hoping for. The new functionality added in this update includes the ability to transfer your saves between two systems (at last!), the ability to record your video using the Capture button (albeit on a game specific basis), the ability to pre-purchase and pre-load games on the eShop, an improved activity log, and much more. It also adds new icons for you to choose from for your profile.

The video capture functionality is in particular fantastic, given the spontaneous nature of most Switch games- it currently works with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, ARMS, Splatoon 2, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, though I imagine more developers will be enabling the functionality for their games over time.

You can check out the full notes for this update for yourself below. To download it, you need to connect your Switch to the internet and go to ‘Software Update’ in Settings. If you leave your Switch on Sleep Mode (which you should) the update should have downloaded automatically in the background, and you just have to confirm the install.

Notes”:

• Capture video on select games
  • To capture video, hold down the Capture Button during gameplay
  • Up to maximum of the previous 30 seconds will be saved in the Album. You can trim the beginning and end of each clip, and post to Facebook and Twitter.
  • As of October 18th, 2017, this feature is compatible with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, ARMS, and Splatoon 2
• Select from 12 new Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild icons for your user
  • To edit your user icon, head to your My Page on the top left of the Home Menu > Profile
• Transfer user and save data to another system
  • To transfer, head to System Settings > Users > Transfer Your User and Save Data
• Pre-purchase option on Nintendo eShop
  • A pre-purchase option will be available for certain games. This option allows pre-load of the game to your system for quicker play when the game is released.
  • This feature will be supported by future game releases
• News channel updates
  • The news feed has been updated with a new look.
  • Unfollowing a channel will remove that channel’s content from the news feed and following the channel again will make it reappear.
• Match software version with a group of local users
  • To create a group, head to the software’s Options > Software Update > Match Version with Local Users
  • Everyone’s software will be updated to match the most recent version in the group
  • All users must be on system menu version 4.0.0 or later to view and join a group

General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience, including:

• Changed the specification which hid wireless networks using TKIP security from the network search results. Wireless networks using TKIP security will now display in search results as a grayed-out selection instead of not being displayed
  • The Nintendo Switch console supports WEP, WPA-PSK(AES), and WPA2-PSK(AES). If your router is using a different security type (e.g. WPA-PSK(TKIP)), you will need to change this security type within your router’s settings.