Nintendo maintains the Wii U's systemwide features and applications by offering system software updates via the Internet.

Updates are optional to each console owner, but may be required in order to retain interoperability with Nintendo's online services.

The Wii U Menu may also be used to launch applications entirely beyond just gaming: the Miiverse social network which is integrated with all games and applications; the Internet Browser for the World Wide Web; play media through Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu, YouTube, and more; download Wii U software and content through the Nintendo eShop; and receive official notifications from Nintendo.

When the Wii U powers on, the television screen shows the WaraWara Plaza in which user status and comments on Miiverse are shown.

Since Miiverse is discontinued, the WaraWara Plaza now only shows the built-in tips from Nintendo usually meant for offline users.

The Wii U allows background downloading via SpotPass, either while playing a game or application or in sleep mode.

A pop-up notification will appear on the Home Menu section to notify the user that a download is finished.

These cards are embedded with IC chips and are typically used to buy train or bus tickets as well as make purchases at convenience stores.

[14] Internet Browser allows users to browse the web on the Wii U GamePad and/or the television screen.

[16] The user can choose to hide the browser's view on the TV screen for privacy, which contains presentation effects such as the opening of stage curtains.

[18] Up to 32 pages can be stored into the browser's history before the older items start being replaced.Nintendo TVii was a free television-based service which allowed users to find programs on Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Video, and on their cable network.

Nintendo TVii also had a dedicated sports section where the user could view player positions and highlights of the match, updated in real-time.

[24] However, on February 14, 2015, Nintendo Europe officially confirmed that they had cancelled plans for the service's release in European countries "due to the extremely complex nature of localising multiple television services across a diverse range of countries with varied licensing systems".

[27] Then, access to the Hulu Plus, Amazon Video, and YouTube apps gradually became active later in the launch week.

On December 25, 2014, and without prior notice, Crunchyroll launched their eponymous app for the North American Wii U eShop,[28] and was later released for PAL systems by January 8, 2015.

[30] After a long delay and without prior notice, as of May 28, 2015, users with access to the Nintendo eShop for the United Kingdom can download the BBC iPlayer app.

The service allows the users to use the Wii U GamePad's front-facing camera to video chat with registered friends.

While video chatting, only the Wii U GamePad is essentially needed, since the application is compatible with Off-TV Play.

[34] If there is a game or another application already running, the GamePad's HOME button ring will flash indicating that there is an incoming call.

During a Nintendo Direct, Satoru Iwata revealed that Google Maps would be integrated with the panorama feature of the Wii U.

It was released as a free app, titled Wii Karaoke U by Joysound, on the Nintendo eShop in Europe, on October 4, 2013.

[39] On April 25, 2013, a major new update at version 3.0 improved system loading times and added automatic installation of downloaded software.

[7] Version 4.0 released on September 30, 2013, added further features such as the ability to plug a headset directly into the GamePad for Wii U Chat, the ability to take screenshots and upload them through the web browser during gameplay, and support for USB keyboards and surround sound for Wii games.

[40] On June 2, 2014, another major update with version number 5.0 was released, with added abilities to display a Quick Start Menu and Wii U GamePad Alerts in addition to other changes.