Mig Flash

Last updated

Mig Flash [note 1] , formerly known as the Mig Switch, [1] is a third-party accessory for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles that allows users to play games from a MicroSD card that have been backed up from the console with the Mig Flash Dumper. Because there is no checking if the game has been obtained legitimately, Mig Flash allows the user to upload unlicensed ROM files to the console, enabling piracy and causing a series of litigations by Nintendo against individuals selling the device. [2] [3]

Contents

Specifications

Mig Flash

Mig Flash is a flash cartridge shaped like a Nintendo Game Card. A MicroSD card containing ROM and certificate data of a game is inserted inside the flash card, with the card acting like an adapter. After inserting Mig Flash into the Switch's cartridge slot, the game appears on the console's main menu. Multiple games may be loaded on Mig Flash, though the system can only recognize one at a time, requiring the user to press the button on the Mig Flash for cycling between games. [4] [5]

Mig Flash Dumper

Mig Flash Dumper is a game backup device for Nintendo Switch cartridges. It uses an ESP32 chip to grab the game data, including ROM certificates. [3]

Compatibility

Nintendo-Switch-wJoyCons-BlRd-Standing-FL.jpg
Nintendo Switch Lite Grey - 01.jpg
Nintendo Switch OLED.png
Nintendo Switch 2 in Handheld Mode.jpg
Various Nintendo Switch models (left-right: Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED) and Nintendo Switch 2 (bottom-right), all compatible with Mig Flash

Mig Flash was marketed to be compatible with all Nintendo Switch models without the need of modding the console or installing homebrew. [6]

Because of additional security measures on Nintendo Switch 2, trying to use Mig Flash on the console was originally resulting in online services becoming unavailable for the said console regardless of whether the loaded games were pirated or not. [5] [7] Nintendo did not comment on the situation, [8] though Mig Flash's sideloading abilities are thought to be against Switch 2's terms of service. [1] On June 15, 2025, Mig Flash received a firmware update, allowing it to be seemingly undetected by the Switch 2. [9] [10] [11] According to the patch notes, the update makes Mig Flash "virtually undetectable" from a real cartridge. [12] A bug bounty program was also initiated to fix more potential vulnerabilities, though the company still does not guarantee that users will not get banned. [13]

Litigation

Various lawsuits have been enacted by Nintendo against individuals selling Mig Flash. In October 2024, Nintendo filed a complaint against Ryan Michael Daly, accusing him of selling "piracy-enabling devices" such as Mig Flash, as well as hacked consoles and mod chips that alledgedly caused "significant and irreparable harm" to Nintendo. In September 2025, after unsuccessfully defending himself without a lawyer, [14] Daly was ordered to pay Nintendo $2 million in damages while also getting a permanent injunction from continuing to operate his website as well as handling, selling or promoting modding devices and modded consoles. [15] [16]

See also

Notes

  1. Stylized as MIG Flash

References

  1. 1 2 Fujiwara, Hideaki (2025-06-17). "Nintendo Switch 2では"Switch用不正コピーソフト"対策さらに強化か。ハードウェアBAN報告が相次ぐ". AUTOMATON (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  2. Phillips, Victoria (2024-01-04). "Infamous Nintendo hacker Gary Bowser denies involvement with new flash cart project". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  3. 1 2 Brookes, Tim (2024-03-28). "Buying Switch Games Is About to Get a Lot More Risky". How-To Geek. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  4. Faulkner, Cameron (2025-06-17). "Nintendo is banning online services on Switch 2 systems that use the Mig cartridge". The Verge. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
  5. 1 2 Orland, Kyle (2025-06-17). "Switch 2 users report online console bans after running personal game "backups"". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
  6. "MIG Switch". migswitch.com. Archived from the original on 2024-01-02. Retrieved 2025-06-21. Mig-Switch is the only back-up & development device for ALL Nintendo Switch consoles, regardless of their version, firmware, type (regular or Lite) that does not require any installation or modification of the console.
  7. Phillips, Tom (2025-06-17). "Nintendo Launches Opening Salvo in War Against Switch 2 Game Pirates, as MIG Switch Users Report Online Service Bans". IGN. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  8. Семак, Николай (2025-06-17). "Nintendo банит консоли за использование флеш-картриджа в рамках борьбы с пиратством". Igromania (in Russian). Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  9. Lewis, Catherine (2025-06-17). "Switch 2 owners using Mig Flash cartridges say Nintendo is bricking their new consoles, even if they're only using the carts for their own ROMs rather than pirated games". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  10. McEvoy, Sophie (2025-06-17). "Nintendo reportedly bans players using MIG cartridges for pirated games on Switch 2". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  11. Doolan, Liam (2025-06-17). "Nintendo Reportedly Banning Switch 2's Using MIG Cartridges". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  12. Linken, André (2025-07-16). "Bann der Switch 2 riskiert: Spieler nutzt illegale Flash-Card und geht online - wann reagiert Nintendo?". PC GAMES (in German). Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  13. Morales, Jowi (2025-07-16). "Switch 2 account ban saga continues as Redditor taunts Nintendo after ripping 20 cartridges and playing online — others warn that it's just a matter of time". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 2025-09-23.
  14. Scullion, Chris (2024-10-07). "Sued Switch modchip seller denies claims, will seemingly take on Nintendo without a lawyer". VGC. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
  15. Chen, Jackson (2025-09-07). "Nintendo wins a $2 million lawsuit against popular Switch modding webstore". Engadget. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  16. Scullion, Chris (2025-09-08). "Nintendo wins $2 Million settlement against Switch modchip seller who previously denied wrongdoing". VGC. Retrieved 2025-09-21.