Nintendo bans MIG users online amid Switch 2 piracy crackdown

A wave of Nintendo Switch 2 owners have reported unexpected bans from accessing the console's online services, with the MIG Switch cartridge appearing to be the common factor.

The MIG Switch is a flash cartridge designed to store and play copied Nintendo Switch games – a practice Nintendo strongly opposes, regardless of users claiming they're simply backing up legally purchased titles.

Recent reports indicate inserting a MIG Switch into Switch 2 consoles triggers immediate online bans, restricting access to online play, the eShop, and other Nintendo services. Affected users are now urgently warning others about the consequences.

"My Switch 2 test unit was banned after using the MIG Switch with legitimate backups of my own cartridges, proving Nintendo can detect unauthorized devices," one user shared online, referencing multiple similar complaints.

"Reddit reports confirm growing instances. I strongly advise against MIG Switch usage – its risks were already high and have increased significantly on Switch 2."

"My Switch 2 test has been banned, after using the mig switch with perfectly legal dumps of my own cartridges, so it would seem that Nintendo can detect something
Similar reports on reddit are starting to come in.https://t.co/nbPMlRWSaPhttps://t.co/3eq6dkbFMi
I strongly… pic.twitter.com/btzjQYJzE4
— SwitchTools (@SwitchTools) June 16, 2025

Another Reddit user claimed they received a ban after just one experimental attempt using their legally backed-up game on the MIG Switch:

"I briefly tested my MIG Switch in my NS2 once. It displayed the game title but failed to load, attempting a title update download. This occurred over a week ago, and I've used legitimate cartridges since – yet received a ban."

Banned users encounter error code 2124-4508 when attempting online features: "The use of online services on this console is currently restricted by Nintendo."

YouTube channel Scattered Brain demonstrated their banned Switch 2 remains functional offline, showing Nintendo hasn't fully disabled ('bricked') these consoles – at least for now.

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Prior to Switch 2's launch in May, Nintendo updated its Account Agreement to warn that tampering with hardware/software could render accounts or devices "permanently unusable in whole or in part."

While Nintendo provided fair warning, some users remain surprised by the enforcement:

"My Switch 2 was banned without explanation!" complained one Reddit user. When questioned about MIG Switch usage, they admitted: "I only tested it out of curiosity – it didn't even work properly."

IGN has reached out to Nintendo for further clarification.