Nintendo Switch Update 9.0.0 Brings Invites, Notification Alarms, Stylus Sensitivity

Chris Compendio September 10, 2019 1:05 PM EST

The latest firmware update for Nintendo Switch adds some small new features, though some are a bit vague on how they work.

Another Nintendo Switch update, another series of minor additions. Coming out of a big Nintendo Direct that added SNES games to the Nintendo Switch Online service, nothing from this update is as monumental. That isn’t to say that the update is a total bore, with a few key additions worth mentioning. For one, the update fixes a bug that prevented purchasers of the Fire Emblem: Three Houses expansion pass from starting the game.

First things first, the underutilized News Channel now has a search function, and your Switch can also produce a QR code that logs you into your Nintendo Account at special events and locations. A curious addition for “Alarm Notifications” is also now present, with the update notes saying that “Alarms can be set up only within supported software (to be added at a later time).” What sort of functionality this entails is beyond me, but regardless, this looks like this will finally make use of the LED light ring on right Joy-Con and Pro Controllers.

There’s also a new option to adjust touch sensitivity in Settings, with support for both standard touch and stylus touch. Players of Super Mario Maker 2 have been investing in capacitive styluses in building their crazy courses. Settings also have a section for “Online Play Invites,” though I assume invites can still only be sent from the Nintendo Switch Online mobile application. You know, that one that you use all the time to talk to your friends.

This firmware update is also preparing for the Nintendo Switch Lite launch, with one new feature being to turn off system button inputs, for cases where you’d only want to control the Lite from a separate wireless controller. Previously, the 7.0.0 update added icons and language support, while 8.0.0 added sorting options, a zoom functionality, the ability to transfer save data, and reportedly some hidden performance boosts.

Nothing involving that weird bike tire, though.

The full patch notes for firmware update 9.0.0 are below:

Ver. 9.0.0 (Released September 9, 2019)

Added the following system functionality:

Added a search feature for the News Channel. Channels can be searched using filters or free text.

Added “Display QR Code to Check In” to User Settings. You can display a QR Code on-screen to check in using your Nintendo Account.

Alarm Notifications have been added to System Settings > Notifications. You can check or delete pre-set alarms. Alarms can be set up only within supported software (to be added at a later time). A controller firmware update may be required to use this feature.

You can now configure touch screen sensitivity settings. Select between Standard and Stylus sensitivity (optimized for stylus input).

Added the option to turn on/off the system button input (Nintendo Switch Lite only). When this setting is turned off the system no longer receives input from the console buttons, with the exception of the Capture and HOME Buttons, and can only be operated from a wirelessly paired controller (sold separately). This setting is on by default and can only be turned off if a compatible controller (sold separately) is wirelessly paired to the console. The setting will automatically turn back on when the console is restarted or after returning from sleep mode.

Added “Online Play Invites” section to the User’s page. Invites from friends to join online play in supported software will be displayed in this section.

General system stability improvements to enhance the user’s experience. Resolved an issue where some users can’t start the Fire Emblem: Three Houses game, and get an error instead.

