Nintendo has released system update 23.5.0 for the Switch 2 and original Nintendo Switch, laying the technical foundation for a new eShop gifting feature scheduled to launch on November 17, 2026.
The update, which began rolling out on November 9, 2026, allows users to send digital games, DLC, and upgrade packs to other members of their registered Nintendo Account family group.
How the Gifting System Works
The new feature restricts digital gifting to accounts within a single family group, which can include up to eight members.
To send a gift, users must navigate to the product page in the Nintendo eShop and select the Give as a Gift
checkbox. After selecting the recipient from the family group list, the purchaser can choose from several digital gift wrap colors before completing the transaction. Nintendo notes that gifts are delivered directly to the recipient’s HOME Menu, where they can be accepted and played immediately.
A new system update for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch is available now, adding support for an upcoming feature that will allow you to gift Nintendo eShop products to members in your Nintendo Account family group. Find out more: https://t.co/L06SJj1CRL
The recipient does not need to enter a download code or payment details to claim the gift, as the item is sent directly to the account selected at the time of purchase. If a recipient has multiple consoles linked to their account, the sender can specify which system should receive the gift.
Nintendo Imposes Constraints on Digital Gift Eligibility
Not all items on the eShop are eligible for digital transfer. Nintendo confirmed that there are specific constraints on the service:
- Supervised accounts are restricted from sending digital gifts.
- The number of gift purchases allowed within a specific period is limited.
- Some digital products may be excluded from the program entirely.
This is the first time a Nintendo store has offered a gifting feature since the Wii Shop Channel closed, but the current version is more restricted. Unlike the previous Wii-era service, which did not limit gifting to family groups, the new system ensures that recipients must be part of the same Nintendo Account family group member
list to participate.
Consequently, players cannot send gifts to friends who exist on their console’s friend list but are not part of their family group; for those users, Nintendo continues to recommend the purchase of eShop gift cards.
System Update 23.5.0 Accessibility Additions
Beyond the gifting infrastructure, update 23.5.0 introduces accessibility improvements, particularly for the Switch 2. During the initial console setup process, users can now configure accessibility settings, including text-to-speech options and larger font sizes.
The update also expands language support for accessibility tools. Portuguese (Portugal) has been added to the system’s primary Text to Speech
languages, as well as to the GameChat Convert Text to Speech
options.
General adjustments and fixes were also implemented across both consoles to improve the user experience. Users can check their current firmware version and trigger the update manually through the System Settings menu if the console does not download it automatically while connected to the internet. If the update fails to install, Nintendo suggests that users restart their device before attempting the process again.
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