Nintendo Switch Tips (2023): 21 Surprising Things It Can Do (OLED, Lite, Standard)
We’re nonetheless ready to see if there shall be a follow-up to the Nintendo Switch OLED, and even the unique Switch or Switch Lite. Until then, you may have to make use of what it’s a must to play The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. While you are enjoying, it is time to brush up on use it. There are loads of hidden options and little methods that may make it easier to get probably the most out of the console, and we have rounded up the most effective ones right here.
We even have 11 Nintendo Switch Lite ideas when you have the handheld-only model of the console.
Updated May 2023: We’ve added a few new ideas and a piece about Nintendo Switch Online.
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Turn on Your TV
True to its title, the Switch will flip in your TV for you, or change its enter while you boot it up. Booting it up can also be wi-fi. Just press the Home button in your Joy-Con or Pro controller. If you don’t just like the function (not all TVs are appropriate with it), you possibly can flip it off in Settings > TV Settings > Match TV Power State.
Find a Lost Joy-Con
If you lose a Joy-Con controller, the Switch has a panic-free technique to discover it. Click on the grey Controllers button on the house display screen, then click on Find Controllers. Once there, you can also make any paired Joy-Con or controller vibrate at will. Grab the Switch and tip toe round, urgent vibrate on and off till you discover that sucker.
Make Friends and Play With Them
The Switch technically has a web-based service, but it surely’s nonetheless a ache to play with mates. Every sport is a bit of totally different, however typically, you’ll need to first speak to them over textual content or in actual life and get their pal code. To discover a pal code, click on in your Mii image within the higher left of the house display screen then faucet Add Friend. Tap Search with Friend Code and sort of their digits. If wanted, you may also see your pal code within the decrease proper. Once you’ve got established friendship, ensure you each personal the sport you wish to play, then enter it and begin a web-based room or battle with mates and invite them. You will want a Nintendo Online subscription to play on-line multiplayer and save video games to the cloud.
Voice Chat With Friends
Once you’ve got develop into Friends with somebody (see above), you possibly can voice chat with them utilizing the Switch Online cell phone app. A couple of video games like Fortnite help their very own on-console chat, however for some Nintendo video games you may have to obtain the Switch Online app or your Android or iPhone. All gamers might want to have it open while you start a play session after which you possibly can chat collectively utilizing your telephones. No, it isn’t probably the most intuitive system.
Our Best Gaming Headsets and Best Wireless Gaming Headsets guides have suggestions for Switch-compatible headphones and mic combos.
Pair Bluetooth Headphones
It took a very long time, however the Switch lastly helps Bluetooth audio. If you wish to take heed to your video games with out having a wire dangling out of your ears, you possibly can lastly accomplish that by heading to System settings > Bluetooth Audio > Pair Device and join your headphones. You can try our guides to the most effective wi-fi headphones and the most effective wi-fi gaming headsets to search out those that work greatest for you.
Pair Joy-Cons With an Android Phone, Mac, or PC
Joy-Cons stay as much as their title. I couldn’t assist however smile once I found I might pair my Joy-Con or Pro Controller with an Android telephone. Better but, it really works with Mac and PCs, too (although you’ll want an app like JoyToKey to map the buttons appropriately on Windows). They work as a result of Nintendo makes use of Bluetooth to attach them. Just maintain down the small sync button on the highest of the controllers for a number of seconds and the lights on them will flash, letting they’re in pairing mode. Find them within the Bluetooth menu of your telephone or pc and also you’re good to go.
Remap the Buttons on Your Joy-Cons
If the way in which sure buttons are configured is tough so that you can use, otherwise you simply wish to optimize your format to get a greater Hades time, now you can remap any button on the Switch. Head to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Change Button Mapping. Here, you possibly can change any button to some other. So for those who’d quite swap ZL and ZR, or use one of many triggers as a bounce button, you are able to do it. You’ll additionally discover choices to swap the left and proper management sticks, or change their default orientation.
Check Your Battery Life Anytime
The Switch OLED will get barely higher battery life than the unique Switch due to its comparatively extra environment friendly OLED display screen, however neither will final so lengthy you will not have to examine the battery sometimes. To see the battery life, and regulate a number of different settings like quantity and brightness, maintain down the Home button whereas enjoying a sport. After a second, the menu will pop proper up! You may have the Switch present the precise % of battery remaining within the higher proper of the house display screen by holding ZL and ZR collectively, or toggle it on completely in Settings > System > Console Battery (%).
Save Battery by Changing Sleep Settings
The greatest battery drain on the Switch (like most gadgets) goes to be the display screen. If you dock your Switch that is not an issue, however in handheld mode the display screen will keep on for 10 minutes earlier than going to sleep. You can lower down on quite a lot of wasted cost for those who decrease this setting. Head to System Settings > Sleep Mode > Auto-Sleep (Console) and you may set your Switch to sleep after as little as one minute of inactivity.
Make Weird, Fun Sounds on the Unlock Screen
The Switch helps you to unlock by urgent any button thrice. Have you tried it? If you’ve got, you’ll discover this software program Easter egg. Most buttons sound the identical, however the left management stick, proper management stick, ZL set off, and ZR set off make odd, enjoyable noises, like a clown horn. One different factor to attempt: the clicky noise that the Switch makes while you faucet in a random location is stress delicate. It will get deeper or increased pitched relying on how exhausting or delicate you contact.
When the novelty wears off and also you’d quite simply unlock your Switch straight, disable the display screen lock completely by heading to System Settings > Screen Lock and disable the “Lock Console in Sleep Mode” possibility.
See How Long You’ve Played a Game
Ever surprise simply what number of hours you sunk into Zelda? It’s simple to examine. Click in your Mii image within the higher left nook of the Switch dwelling display screen. Click Profile when you’re in there to see a tough estimate of how a lot time you’ve wasted gathering Korok seeds. If you’ve added mates (you want their Friend Code), you possibly can see what they’ve performed recently, too! You could make a profile or cease sharing your playtimes in Settings > Users > [Your Name] > Friend settings.
Change Your Region to Access Region-Restricted Games
The days of needing a Japan-specific console to play some Japanese video games are over. You can simply toggle your area in Settings > System > Region. Most video games are often out there globally, however some titles could arrive in a single area first. This checklist would possibly assist, if there’s a selected sport you’re trying to play. One different advantage of switching from US to a area like Europe: the field artwork modifications for some video games, like Breath of the Wild. You might additionally create a brand new person for every area.
View the Menu in Dark Mode
Try out the Dark Mode by choosing “Basic Black” in Settings > Themes. It could also be simpler in your eyes than the default white background, particularly for those who’re utilizing the Switch in handheld mode.
Attach a USB Keyboard or Headset
There are three USB ports on the Switch dock. You can plug in most any USB keyboard and it ought to work, letting you kind in menus to enter stuff like passwords. Just take into account that you possibly can’t truly play video games with the keyboard. USB Bluetooth headsets additionally work. We have been stunned to search out that a few of our previous PS4 headsets plugged proper into the Switch.
Make Another Profile for an Extra Save Slot
There are numerous video games that solely offer you one save slot. If you need extra, there’s a simple repair. Just make a second User (Mii). Navigate to Settings > Users > Add User to make an additional person. Once made, it can seem as a selection while you open quite a lot of video games. Choosing the brand new person will create a brand new, separate save file.
If you need the precise reverse, you possibly can do away with the User Selection screens and get the system to all the time default to your core account in video games by turning “Skip Selection Screen” to On.
Transfer Data to a New Switch
If you upgraded to the brand new Switch OLED (or simply have to switch to a brand new unit), you possibly can convey your previous profiles, sport save information, and even your screenshots and recordings out of your previous console to your new one. We have a full information to the method right here and it is value studying the entire thing since there are steps you will not wish to do out of order, however ensure you have each consoles useful while you get began.
Send a Screenshot to Your Phone With a QR Code
Sharing screenshots was a ache on the Switch, however now there’s a neater means. From the Home menu, open up your screenshot Album. Then you possibly can choose Sharing and Editing, then Send to Smartphone. This provides you with a QR code that you may scan together with your telephone’s digital camera app that can direct you to a web page the place you possibly can obtain your screenshots and movies. Much simpler than posting them to Twitter!
Move Game Save Data to Your MicroSD Card
By default, your sport save information shall be saved on the interior storage of your Switch. However, if you wish to clear up some area on the system, you possibly can transfer your sport saves to a MicroSD card. Head to System Settings > Data Management and select “Move Data Between System / MicroSD Card.” Select “Move to MicroSD card” after which you possibly can select which video games you wish to transfer over.
Note: While it will retailer your sport saves on the MicroSD card, you will not be capable to simply swap that card to a different Switch and entry sport saves on that console. If you simply acquired a brand new console, see our information on How to Transfer Save Data From One Nintendo Switch to Another.
Perform a Hard Reset if It Freezes
The Switch is fairly steady, but it surely’s not resistant to the occasional freeze. Turning the Switch off often works by holding Power for a number of seconds, till the restart menu opens. If that doesn’t occur, the most effective resolution is to do a tough reset by holding down the ability button for about 12 seconds or so (simply hold holding). Once it powers down, wait no less than 30 seconds and energy it again up.
If your issues proceed, you possibly can attempt booting it into Maintenance Mode by holding the ability button as you flip it on after which when the Nintendo emblem seems, additionally urgent down on each quantity buttons proper subsequent to it. This will allow you to manufacturing facility reset it, or clear it out whereas making an attempt to save lots of your information. Good luck!
Use Your Joy-Con Like a Wii Remote
If you’re feeling nostalgic, the Joy-Cons can be utilized with movement controls in some video games. For occasion, seize World of Goo on the Nintendo eShop, set up it, and open it with a Joy-Con. The sport will ask you to set the Joy-Con on a flat floor, then level it on the display screen. Do this after which you should use it similar to a Wii Remote, with an onscreen cursor and all the pieces!
Consider a Second Dock
It’s not strictly needed as an adjunct, however for those who steadily journey or play in a number of rooms of the home, shopping for a second dock could be among the best choices you make. I’ve a spare dock I hold in my suitcase for once I journey so I can play video games on the TV in a resort room. But anyplace you need one other dock, an additional could be extraordinarily useful!
Accessories You’ll Need
Be certain to take a look at our checklist of Must-Have Nintendo Switch Accessories. You will most undoubtedly want a 128-gigabyte MicroSD card (many video games are 10+ gigabytes and the Switch has 32 – 64) and may wish to purchase this display screen protector (I’ve used it and it doesn’t bubble) and a USB 3.0 Ethernet Adapter if you wish to pace up your web connection on the older dock, although the brand new Switch OLED dock comes with its personal Ethernet port in-built, which is handy!
Should You Get Switch Online?
Nintendo’s Switch Online service is likely one of the most cost-effective subscriptions in gaming and appears nearly like a no brainer. For $20 a yr (or $35 a yr for a household plan), you possibly can play on-line, save your video games within the cloud, and use voice chat in sure video games. Also embrace is a library of NES and SNES video games.
There’s additionally the Expansion Pack which prices $50 per yr for a person and $80 per yr for a household. This model provides a number of N64 and Sega Genesis video games, plus some Animal Crossing: New Horizons DLC. This is not fairly as apparent of a deal, however for those who’re trying to play Banjo Kazooie, Majora’s Mask or Goldeneye 007 in your Switch, that is the way in which to do it.
Overall, Switch Online is not strictly needed except you play video games on-line or desire a retro gaming library, however the primary model is an absurdly low cost worth, and the Expansion Pack is a strong purchase for followers of the N64 era.
Games to Own
Finally, for those who’re trying to find video games, examine our Best Nintendo Switch Games information. Here are a number of random enjoyable ones to attempt aside from Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey, which ought to be your first three purchases:
