Topic: Is there any way to update the switch or games without internet?

Maybe a dumb question but I'm in a situation right now where i don't have internet hooked up in my house. I don't know when I'll be able to yet. My switch is not on the latest version and several of my games have updates available. Am i screwed until i get internet?

@Truegamer79
Assuming you are talking about single player games, you should be fine.

@Truegamer79 Internet is the only way updates are delivered.

If the Switch is blocking you from playing, you'll need internet for the update.

Pretty sure I asked the same thing not to long ago.

https://www.nintendolife.com/forums/nintendo-switch/how_to_ge...

If it's just your home internet that's unavailable, It's possible to tether off your phone or use a public wifi network, but you'd still have to connect to the internet somehow.

You can update games wirelessly if a friend has the latest updates of such games downloaded on to their console, but system updates can only be performed via an internet connection.

@Silly_G Really!?? Have you done it?

@WoomyNNYes
It's a known feature.

For any game icon, press + to see the context menu, and "Match Software Version" is an option to update locally from a friend's Switch. This ensures local MP is always possible.

@WoomyNNYes : What @JaxonH said.

I've occasionally sent software updates from my main Switch to my Switch Lite as it's typically faster than downloading (good old Aussie internet; emphasis on the old).

Some games require update to play and others don't alot depends on what the game is. Also you can make a HotSpot on your mobile phone for the updates and or Switch updates. Have you tried that if you have a SmartPhone. Then you can disconnect and restart the game and Switch and play again.

@Silly_G
That's interesting. If only i still had friends who play videogames at my age. I do plan on getting internet hooked up but I'm sorta In between housing at the moment do to unfortunate circumstances. Basically I'm not able to get Internet because I'm in a temporary living situation until i get on my feet. That sorta thing.

@Rambler
Hmm that could work. I'll take My switch for a little stroll to my local library.

That won't if the library the one I used requires a Browser to confirm usage and this is why you need your smartphone to connect to the wifi and then create a HotSpot to allow the Switch connect to the HotSpot and update from there.

@SwitchForce
Oh yeah that's another possibility. Thanks I'll try that.

We assume they haven't changed that but I suspect they have and wifi from smartphone into HotSpot ahead of time is better to connect since all they are doing is update. Most places I been to hardware and hospitals require Web authentication to first get to use their Wifi. And then I turn on my HotSpot on my SmartPhone and choose the HotSpot on my Switch that was preset already and the connection has no issue.

The amount of work to just update a game or console that method is more work then it helps. I've read about this and find the Smartphone to Wifi with HotSpot and Switch HotSpot saved far faster a easier to connect if it's just update games or console. Downloading might be tricky if it's a entire game.

Here's the part not told to some:
I have used this method to get on the hidden web browser on Switch more than a few times. While it's not perfect, it is effective, and I am grateful to have a workaround to Nintendo's oversight. Just remember that this unofficial way of surfing the web can leave you open to several risks.

@Silly_G Me and my friend did this on a cruise one time. It was either for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Super Mario Maker 2, but I was surprised it actually worked lol

We couldn't play multiplayer unless we were on the same update

I did the mobile hotspot tethering off my phone and it worked! I updated my switch and I can now update my games and access the eshop. Thanks guys! My switch is back baby!

I just recently figured out you can go into the settings on your phone and turn on hotspot and tethering and then get online with your switch that way.

The only problem is you're data allowed on that is pretty limited. I found out that on a 50 dollar phone plan you're only getting like 15 gigs of hotspot data and after that it stops working. So if you're trying to download large game updates or an entire game you might as well forget that. Ultimately Wi-fi or a lan connection is your best bet.

I was trying to download KOTOR on switch and that game is 15 gigs. I'd never get the whole thing downloaded trying to do it with my phone as a hotspot. This sucks because i got the game right on my switch menu but without my internet hooked up right now it's useless.