Nintendo Today App Update Prevents Recording on Newer Smartphones

Summary:

Nintendo has rolled out a quiet but impactful update to its Nintendo Today app, targeting video and screenshot capture functionality. While there was no official announcement, users have discovered that the app now prevents screen recording and image capturing—especially on newer smartphone models. A Reddit user tested the update on two devices: an older Poco F5 Pro and a newer Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Interestingly, the latter failed to capture anything but a black screen, while the older model still functioned as expected. This suggests Nintendo is employing device-specific DRM or similar technology that selectively blocks content capture. Although no clear reason has been given, the move appears designed to keep promotional material exclusive within the app. This limitation has sparked concern among fans and archivists who rely on such tools to preserve digital media, especially with the upcoming promotional rollout for the Nintendo Switch 2. The implications extend beyond casual use—it could reshape how media is preserved, shared, and discussed online. As the gaming community reacts, questions remain about access, control, and the future of digital archiving.

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Nintendo quietly updates its mobile Nintendo Today app

Nintendo has never been one to broadcast every tweak it makes, but this latest move has drawn quiet yet widespread attention. The Nintendo Today app, a tool for fans to stay up to date with the company’s latest news and promotions, has received a behind-the-scenes update that’s affecting how users interact with its content. No formal announcement accompanied the change, yet those with keen eyes and newer smartphones are already noticing something’s different. When users try to record or screenshot the app’s content, they’re running into blank screens and blacked-out footage. This stealthy modification has left users puzzled and a bit frustrated, especially those hoping to archive or share promotional materials. The update is subtle but significant—it signals a shift in how Nintendo may handle media visibility in the lead-up to major releases.

The issue first reported by Reddit users

It all started with a post on Reddit. A user going by the name Cube_play_8 highlighted their findings when testing the Nintendo Today app on two different smartphones. Their post quickly gained traction among Switch fans, especially those closely watching for anything related to the rumored Switch 2. While Nintendo didn’t officially confirm anything, the Redditor’s hands-on test revealed that the app now reacts differently depending on the device. By documenting their experience and posting video proof, they raised awareness of the feature—if it can be called that. Community members chimed in with their own results, confirming similar behavior across various newer phone models.

Test results from different smartphones

The experiment involved a new Xiaomi 15 Ultra and an older Poco F5 Pro. On the Poco, video recording still worked, albeit with expected limitations. But on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, any attempt to record resulted in a completely black screen. This wasn’t a software crash or camera failure—it was an intentional block. The implication? The app may be detecting newer hardware and activating capture protection selectively. The discrepancy between devices suggests this isn’t a blanket update. Instead, it points to an adaptive DRM-like mechanism that only kicks in under certain conditions. It also begs the question: how far-reaching is this restriction, and will it expand to more devices over time?

Blackout behavior on newer Xiaomi models

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra didn’t just fail to record—it actively blacked out the footage. This isn’t typical behavior for most Android apps unless there’s DRM at play. Content protection systems like Google’s Widevine can trigger black screens during playback of protected material, and it looks like Nintendo may be using similar tactics. Whether this blackout happens due to Android security flags or built-in app settings, the effect is the same: no footage, no screenshots, no leaks. The timing, so close to the expected rollout of the Switch 2’s marketing campaign, feels deliberate. The company might be laying the groundwork to protect future reveals.

What the video blackout implies

This kind of restriction usually stems from a desire to maintain exclusivity. By preventing users from sharing video or screenshot content freely, Nintendo retains control over what circulates online. This may be especially important with the Switch 2 looming on the horizon. Preventing early leaks, promotional teardowns, or unauthorized content replication could be a strategic move. But this also raises flags among preservationists and media archivists who rely on tools like screen recording to document gaming history. It’s a balancing act—protecting intellectual property versus supporting fan engagement and historical recordkeeping.

Older smartphones still allow recording

The test results show that older smartphones like the Poco F5 Pro are still able to bypass the block. This suggests the capture prevention isn’t baked deeply into the app across all platforms. Instead, it might be using device-specific APIs or newer Android-level security features to enforce the blackout. If that’s the case, it’s likely only a matter of time before the block becomes more widespread, especially if Nintendo deems it necessary to expand protection to more devices. For now, those using older hardware may have a short-lived advantage—but it won’t last forever.

Nintendo’s possible motivations

Why would Nintendo go to such lengths to limit content sharing? One possible reason is to protect their marketing strategy. With new hardware around the corner, every image and clip matters. Keeping materials confined to their ecosystem means Nintendo can guide the narrative. This also discourages misinformation, third-party interpretations, or premature leaks. Another angle might be legal—by restricting what users can extract, the company reduces the risk of copyright issues down the line. While some might argue this stifles fan creativity, Nintendo has a track record of prioritizing brand control.

Impact on archiving and preservation

For fans and historians, this update could be a real headache. Digital preservation relies on access—and if video and image capture are blocked, that access shrinks. Apps like Nintendo Today often contain first looks, trailers, and unique announcements. If those can’t be saved externally, large chunks of gaming history could be lost. Archiving isn’t just about nostalgia—it helps future generations understand how gaming evolved. By locking down content, Nintendo is creating blind spots in the record, which some may view as a cultural loss.

Community response and concerns

The fan reaction has been mixed. Some understand the rationale—protect the brand, avoid spoilers, and keep things tidy. Others feel stifled, especially those who build content around news reporting, commentary, and preservation. Social media has become a place to share these findings and brainstorm workarounds. Some users have tried third-party apps or external devices to bypass the block, while others worry that doing so could violate terms of service. The discussion reveals a tension between corporate control and fan freedom, one that’s not going away anytime soon.

The future of promotional material accessibility

Looking ahead, we might see this tactic expand to other Nintendo services. If the company is testing it here, it could roll out similar protections on My Nintendo, the eShop, or even within Switch 2’s OS. This move could also influence how other game publishers approach DRM in mobile platforms. If it becomes the new normal, expect more apps to adopt video blackout techniques, especially in pre-release phases. Whether this leads to a better user experience or a more restricted ecosystem is still up for debate.

Conclusion

Nintendo’s subtle update to its mobile app signals a larger trend toward tighter control over media access and distribution. While the immediate effect is clear—blocking screen recordings on select devices—the long-term impact stretches far beyond that. As content becomes more protected, the relationship between creators, companies, and fans will continue to shift. The real question is how far companies like Nintendo will go to safeguard their materials—and how users will adapt in response.

FAQs

• Why is the Nintendo Today app blocking video recording?
  • Nintendo appears to be implementing DRM to restrict the sharing of promotional material ahead of major launches.
• Does this affect all smartphones?
  • No, older phones like the Poco F5 Pro still allow video capture, while newer models like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra do not.
• Can this feature be bypassed?
  • Some users have tried using third-party tools, but bypassing DRM may violate the app’s terms of service.
• Why hasn’t Nintendo announced this update?
  • Nintendo often makes silent backend updates to its apps. This may be strategic to avoid backlash or provide flexibility in enforcement.
• Is this related to the Nintendo Switch 2?
  • Possibly. With the Switch 2’s marketing ramping up, Nintendo may want to control what gets shared ahead of time.

Sources

• The Nintendo Today app is quietly adding a DRM, Reddit, May 2025
• Furukawa Says Nintendo Places “High Importance” On Console Performance, NintendoSoup, May 9, 2025