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What can your Switch do without leaving the HOME Menu?
Open Quick Settings
Hold the HOME button for at least one second to open Quick Settings. From there, you can adjust brightness and volume, put the console to sleep, or turn on airplane mode without navigating through System Settings. Some wireless communications can be manually re-enabled while airplane mode is on. If you detach Joy-Con in tabletop mode, Bluetooth controller connection must be enabled in settings for them to work. Nintendo’s Quick Settings instructions explain the menu and its controls.
Find a misplaced controller
Open Controllers from the HOME Menu, select Find Controllers, then choose a compatible controller to make it vibrate. It needs enough battery to respond, so this won’t locate a depleted controller.
How can you make your library easier to use?
Create Groups
When your library has more than 13 games, the All Software screen can show Groups. Select All Software, press L, and create a group—for example, for multiplayer games or titles you are currently playing. A game can appear in more than one group, so organizing it does not remove it from other collections.
#1 Best Overall
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
- GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play
Sort or filter games
From All Software, press R to open sorting and filtering options. This is useful when you want to find a title by a particular category rather than scrolling through the entire library. Nintendo outlines Groups and HOME Menu features in its January 4, 2024 feature roundup.
Can you use Bluetooth headphones with a Switch?
Yes, compatible Bluetooth earbuds, headphones, or speakers can be paired through System Settings > Bluetooth Audio. Compatibility is not universal, so a particular headset may not work as expected. Nintendo’s feature roundup describes pairing compatible Bluetooth audio devices; the Switch Lite and OLED Model are part of the covered console family, but accessory compatibility still matters.
Rank #2
- 6.2” LCD screen
- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
- Nintendo Switch is the home of Mario & friends
How do you change controls or improve accessibility?
Remap controller buttons
Go to System Settings > Controllers and Sensors > Change Button Mapping to customize supported controller button assignments. You can save mappings as presets and choose them again later. This can make a familiar game more comfortable to play, but it changes controller inputs rather than altering a game’s own control options.
Calibrate sticks and motion controls
System Settings > Controllers and Sensors also includes calibration tools for control sticks and motion controls, as well as touch-screen sensitivity settings. The exact options can vary with the controller and console configuration. For the broader list of system tools, see Nintendo’s System Settings overview.
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- Play your way with the Nintendo Switch gaming system. Whether you’re at home or on the go, solo or with friends, the Nintendo Switch system is designed to fit your life. Dock your Nintendo Switch to enjoy HD gaming on your TV. Heading out? Just undock your console and keep playing in handheld mode
- This model includes battery life of approximately 4.5 - 9 hours.
- The battery life will depend on the games you play. For instance, the battery will last approximately 5.5 hours for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (games sold separately)
- Model number HAC 001( 01)
Use Zoom
Enable Zoom at System Settings > System > Zoom. After turning it on, double-tap HOME to zoom the display; double-tap again to return to the normal view. This built-in magnification can help when on-screen text or interface details are difficult to see.
How do you capture and share gameplay?
Save a screenshot or clip
Tap the Capture button—the square button on the left Joy-Con—to save an in-game screenshot. Hold it to save a 30-second gameplay clip. Open Album from the HOME Menu to review captures. Capture and sharing options depend on the game and the route you choose.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- 6.2” LCD screen.
- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
Choose a sharing destination
Nintendo lists sending captures to a smartphone, transferring them to a computer with a compatible USB cable, and posting to social media as available options. Social posting is for users aged 13 or older. Not every game or service supports every route, so check the available options for the capture you want to share. Nintendo’s capture guide describes the button and sharing methods.
Which useful settings are tucked away in System Settings?
System Settings covers more than internet and controller connections. Depending on the model and configuration, you can review system and microSD card storage, move downloaded software data, display the battery percentage, change system sounds, set a maximum headphone volume, and choose the language for a USB keyboard. Nintendo’s System Settings overview is the reference for available menus; submenu names and settings are not necessarily identical across every model.
Best Value
- One player can use a Joy-Con in each hand
- Two players can each take one
- Multiple Joy-Con can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options (additional Joy-Con sold separately)
- Slip a set of Joy-Con into a Joy-Con grip accessory, mirroring a more traditional controller. Or, select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
If storage is tight, use the storage screens to see what is taking space before deciding what to move or delete. A compatible microSD card is an optional way to expand storage; it is not required for the other built-in tips here.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do parental controls work?
Parental controls can be configured on the console or through Nintendo’s smart-device app, while Nintendo Account settings handle separate eShop and account restrictions. The app adds features such as play-time limits and gameplay history, and lets a parent exempt selected games. Many restrictions apply to the console as a whole rather than to separate users. Families should choose settings with the youngest player using that system in mind. Setup and adjustment guidance is available in Nintendo’s parental-controls support page.
Can you earn rewards from a physical game card?
For an eligible physical game, insert the game card, press + while the game is selected, choose My Nintendo Rewards Program, then select Earn Points (Game Card version only). Nintendo Account and program terms apply, and eligibility can depend on the title and region. Nintendo’s January 2024 roundup also described points for digital purchases, but rewards rules can change; check the current My Nintendo terms before relying on a particular earning rate.
What does Nintendo Switch Online add?
Nintendo Switch Online is a paid membership, not a prerequisite for the built-in settings and tools above. Nintendo lists online play, save-data backup for compatible games, NES and Super NES game libraries, and special offers among its benefits. The Expansion Pack tier adds Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, and SEGA Genesis libraries, along with select downloadable content. A Nintendo Account is required for online features; some functions also need compatible games and an internet connection, and availability varies by country. Membership benefits and terms can change, so check Nintendo’s current offer for your region before subscribing. Nintendo’s feature roundup describes the service and its Expansion Pack benefits.
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