The Nintendo Switch 2 has reportedly been jailbroken through a software-only exploit

The Nintendo Switch 2 has reportedly been jailbroken through a software-only exploit, with developer pepsipu demonstrating the jailbreak by running modified content in Mario Kart World. Called ns2jb, the exploit is said to work on Switch 2 firmware 23.0.1 and does not require a hardware modchip.

To demonstrate what it can do, pepsipu modified the Switch 2-exclusive Mario Kart World to add custom characters, including Cinnamoroll, Hatsune Miku, Peter Griffin, and Red from Angry Birds. The developer says ns2jb allows native code to run with access that can be useful for homebrew development, game research, save backups, and modding.

However, this is far from a complete or permanent Switch 2 jailbreak. Ns2jb is tethered, meaning it does not survive a reboot and currently does not provide a persistent custom firmware solution. Restarting the console removes the exploit from memory and returns the affected processes to their normal state.

The method takes advantage of vulnerabilities involving the Switch 1 version of SmileBASIC running through the Switch 2's backward compatibility. Pepsipu's full technical breakdown goes significantly deeper into how access was gained, but the important part is that the exploit eventually allowed native code execution with higher system permissions.

There is also some additional support for the jailbreak's credibility. Developer Gezine, who recently revealed a separate universal exploit affecting the original Switch and Switch 2, says he spoke with pepsipu and that the work "seems legit." Gezine also said pepsipu was aware of his own userland exploit, which is different from ns2jb.