Ethan Crossfield 
Modern Warfare 4 players on Switch 2 may need to clear room for a major download, but the reported 39GB patch does not appear to add 39GB permanently to the game. The key figure for storage planning is the reported post-update install size of 91.3GB.
What the Switch 2 update changes for storage
Several player reports put the latest Switch 2 download at roughly 39GB. That is a substantial transfer for Nintendo's hybrid system, especially for anyone relying on limited internal storage or a microSD card. However, Modern Warfare 4 is reportedly occupying about 91.3GB after installation. Nintendo eShop data listed the game at 84.9GB before launch, so the final increase appears far smaller than the download itself. The most likely explanation is that the update replaces or reorganizes existing game files instead of stacking entirely new data on top. That approach has been common with Call of Duty updates, which can require a large download even when the installed game grows only modestly.
Who is affected by the October 24 fixes
The large download initially appeared to be exclusive to Switch 2, while Activision later released October 24 patch notes for a smaller update across all platforms. It is not confirmed whether these releases are identical, as update sizes for every version have not been disclosed. The listed fixes cover crashes and stability issues, menu and loadout problems, weapon visual bugs, and a Hijack adjustment that improves spawn placement and respawn timing. Search and Destroy also receives a fix for unintended bomb-defusal positions. DMZ players are among those most affected, with fixes addressing the Exfil helicopter disappearing, overly frequent AI reinforcements during the Shopping Mission, incorrect mission markers, stuck locations, and other issues.
What to watch for after downloading
Players should still expect some unresolved issues after installing the patch. The regional map animation during lobby searches has been disabled temporarily while the team investigates reports of hitching. Multiplayer spectators may be kicked in some cases, while PC players can encounter a network error if they extract from DMZ with a looted Dog Tag. No new maps, weapons, or modes are included in the October 24 notes. Modern Warfare 4 launched on October 23 after a week of early access for selected modes, marking the first new series release on Nintendo hardware since Call of Duty: Ghosts arrived on Wii U in 2013. For Switch 2 owners, the immediate concern is download time and free space rather than a dramatically larger long-term install.
What players should know
- The Switch 2 download is reportedly around 39GB, so allow time and available storage before starting it.
- The reported final install size is 91.3GB, only moderately above the 84.9GB pre-launch eShop listing.
- The update focuses on fixes and stability work, not new playable maps, weapons, or modes.
- Switch 2 players should not assume the large platform-specific download contains different content from the later all-platform patch.
Expert View
This is a useful maintenance update rather than a content drop. The large Switch 2 download is inconvenient, but the reported installed size matters more for long-term storage, and it suggests the patch is largely replacing existing data. Players dealing with crashes, DMZ extraction problems, or Hijack spawn issues have the strongest reason to update promptly.
