New Nintendo Switch system update finally adds folders

The Nintendo Switch has a new firmware update, adding the ability to create Groups, and improvements to Bluetooth audio functionality.
Nintendo switch system update

Nintendo has released the latest firmware update for Nintendo Switch consoles, version 14.0, which is available at the time of writing. Key to this update is a much-requested feature: Groups, which lets you organise the software on your Switch into folders.

It’s certainly an infamous trait of Nintendo to shirk the features common to other platforms, but as a result, people are certainly getting overly excited by the introduction of simple folders.

According to the patch notes, Groups will let you organise titles into folders of game genres, developers, or user customised parameters. Each Switch will be able to handle up to 100 folders, with a maximum of 200 titles per group.

Additionally, a single title can be put into multiple groups.

Image: Nintendo

The other major feature change in the v14.0 Nintendo Switch system update are adjustments to how the console handles Bluetooth audio devices – another common feature that was introduced to the Nintendo Switch fashionably late, in September 2021.

With the new update, the volume of Bluetooth audio devices can now be adjusted through any in-built volume controls, as well as on the Switch console itself.

Again, better late than never.

Despite the outcry about the Switch’s lack of common quality of life features, the console has sold over 103 million units since its launch in 2017, and is officially Nintendo‘s most successful device.

The full patch notes for the Nintendo Switch system update v14.0 are below.

Nintendo Switch system update Ver. 14.0.0 (Released March 21, 2022)

“Groups” feature was added to the All Software menu.

  • You can now create groups of software to help organize your software titles.
  • Making groups for different game genres, developers, or whatever you’d like to organize by may make it easier to find the application you want.
    • Up to 100 groups can be created with a max of 200 titles per group.
  • The button to proceed to the “All Software” screen is displayed only when there are 13 or more software title icons on the system.
  • For more information, see How to Create Groups of Software.

Bluetooth® Audio volume behavior was changed.

  • You can now adjust the volume of Bluetooth audio devices using either the Nintendo Switch™ console or through volume control buttons on the Bluetooth audio device.
    • The Bluetooth audio device must support AVRCP profiles for these changes to work.
  • The volume displayed on the console will reflect the Bluetooth audio volume when using the device’s control buttons.
  • The maximum volume output for some Bluetooth audio devices has been increased.

Edmond was the founding managing editor of GamesHub. He was also previously at GameSpot for 13 years, where he was the Australian Editor and an award-winning video producer. You can follow him @EdmondTran