The Nintendo Switch 2 hasn’t been out for long, but bans are already hitting users who’ve dared to test its limits.
Specifically, those who’ve used the MIG Switch are finding their consoles cut off from Nintendo’s online services.
And while some claim innocence by sticking to “legally dumped” games, Nintendo isn’t making exceptions.
What Exactly Is the MIG Switch?
The MIG Switch is a cartridge emulator that lets users load game files onto a single device.
It originally worked with the Switch 1 and was marketed as a way to play legally backed-up games without carrying physical cartridges. Basically, it also gave piracy room to grow everywhere.
Nintendo went after sellers of the MIG Switch with lawsuits as far back as 2024, forcing some vendors to pull it from shelves. There’s been a growing number of reports from Switch 2 owners encountering error messages tied to online limits.
Some players reported that consoles using the MIG Switch were completely blocked from Nintendo’s online services. These bans don’t seem to affect Nintendo Accounts, at least not yet.
But the console itself is locked out of everything that requires an internet connection: no eShop, no cloud saves, no game updates, and no online multiplayer. That includes essential features for third-party games that rely on downloads to run.
Is Nintendo Targeting Legal Backups Too?
What makes this more concerning is that some users caught in the ban wave say they weren’t doing anything illegal.
Multiple people stated they only used the MIG Switch to run personal backups of games they already owned—games they dumped themselves using other hardware.
They neither pirated anything nor cheated online. Several players mentioned they only had Wi-Fi enabled and weren’t playing multiplayer, yet the system still flagged them.
How Is Nintendo Detecting Flash Carts Like MIG?
There’s no official comment from Nintendo, yet the recent lawsuits and updated service terms reveal their stance.
They’ve already taken legal action against MIG Switch distributors. Their newly revised ToS warns that consoles violating the rules could be rendered “unusable in whole or in part,” giving Nintendo the right to brick them outright.
That hasn’t happened yet, but the online bans make it clear that the company isn’t playing around with this generation. It’s the first time we’re seeing proactive, near-immediate enforcement this early in a console’s life cycle.
How Might Nintendo Be Detecting MIG Use?
A few theories suggest that Switch 2 sends logs if it detects unusual cartridge behavior, but none have been verified.
Some believe it’s because the device switches between games faster than a human can, which flash carts are able to do. There’s even talk about encrypted game signatures and hardware identifiers not lining up properly.
Either way, it’s obvious Nintendo can tell when the MIG is inserted, no matter what game it’s running. Players’ frustration is understandable since they should be free to use their own backups as they wish.
There are hopes for fixes like factory resets or blocking telemetry, but those likely won’t work. Once a system is flagged, it’s over. Resetting doesn’t wipe Nintendo’s backend logs.
And unless you performed a full NAND backup before using the flash cart, there’s no real path back.
Is a Banned Switch 2 Still Usable?
When banned, the console loses most features and only runs physical games offline.
No patches, no DLC, and no new downloads. If the game needs the internet to function like many third-party titles, it is essentially unplayable.
Once banned, a Switch 2 becomes not only inconvenient but also unusable for most modern users.
Is Using the MIG Switch Worth the Risk?
You should play it safe and stay far away from flash carts like MIG on the Switch 2 for now and maybe forever.
Clean intentions won’t stop Nintendo’s detection system from flagging you. All MIG usage counts as a violation and results in serious penalties.
The Switch 2 might have backward compatibility, but that doesn’t mean it’s friendly to old hardware tricks.
Unless a new method or exploit comes along that’s proven safe, the MIG Switch is officially too risky to touch.
Stick with us here at Gfinityesports.com: the best site for Nintendo coverage.