Accessory manufacturers claim Nintendo Switch 2 has encryption that break third-party docks

According to a report from The Verge, Nintendo Switch 2 has a new encryption scheme and some form of dedicated encryption chip, which has broken third-party docking.

The console, of course, comes with its own dock. However, as The Verge points out, “Nintendo has also broken compatibility with portable docks that you can take on vacation or to your hotel room, and with video glasses like the Xreal One”.

The site’s report is based on what two accessory manufacturers claim. The USB-C PD traffic was also analyzed with a Power-Z tester, which shows that Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t acting the way it should. Attempting to use the console with a third-party dock or hub may refuse to negotiate power or bring about other issues. Switch 2 seems to talk in code that only Nintendo can decipher, whereas USB-C devices tend to operate on standardized set of instructions.

All of this has led to a dearth of third-party docks for Nintendo Switch 2. Jsaux, which was planning one for the system, has now paused its plans. One dock that does work – at least for now – is the Antank S3 Max (or SiWiQU TV Dock Station), since it appears to speak Nintendo’s language. 

Xreal actually intends to come out with a new Neo device later this year for docking. Jsaux believes Nintendo could come out with firmware updates that could further impact third-party docks, though Antank says it could distribute firmware updates for its own dock.

You can keep track of more Nintendo Switch 2 news here.

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