Nintendo Switch App Overview and FAQ
The Nintendo Switch Online smart device app has changed to the Nintendo Switch App.
- If you already have the Nintendo Switch Online app on your smart device, it may be automatically updated or you can update it manually.
- Some features are now available to all Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch owners, even without a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership.
The Nintendo Switch App is a convenient smart device app that helps you get even more out of your Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch systems.
You can check if your friends are online, and add new friends straight from your smart device using QR codes. You can also check screenshots and videos captured on your Nintendo Switch 2 in the app, and share them on social media.
In addition, you can also use game-specific services for supported titles to enhance your gameplay.
The app is available for iOS and Android devices.
Requirements & Compatibility
- What is required to use the Nintendo Switch App?
- Does the app require a Nintendo Switch Online membership?
- How do I get the Nintendo Switch App?
- Which smart devices are supported?
- Where is this service available?
- What games support voice chat using the app?
- Which languages are supported?
- Do I need to use the Nintendo Switch App to play games online?
Features & Usage
- How do I upload screenshots and videos from my Nintendo Switch 2 console to the app?
- How do I download or share screenshots and videos I uploaded from my Nintendo Switch 2 console?
- How do I manage my friend list using the Nintendo Switch App?
- What game-specific services are available through the app?
- How do I use the Nintendo Switch App to create an online match to voice chat with other players?
- Can I play online and chat with anyone or just friends?
- Can I use the app to voice chat with other players when not playing a game?
- Can I use the Nintendo Switch App on multiple smart devices?
- Can I use a headset or headphones for voice chat?
- If I use my smart device's other features (texts, social media, etc.) will I be disconnected?
- How much network data is used by the smart device using this application?
- How do I sign in to the application?
Parents
Requirements & Compatibility
What is required to use the Nintendo Switch App?
To use the Nintendo Switch App, you must have the following:
- A Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console.
- A supported Android or iOS smart device.
- A Nintendo Account linked to your Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console and smart device.
- You must sign in to your Nintendo Account on the app.
Important: The features for voice chat and sharing screenshots/videos uploaded from Nintendo Switch 2 are restricted to Nintendo Account holders who are age 13 and older.
- An Internet connection for your console and smart device. Data charges may apply.
Does the app require a Nintendo Switch Online membership?
Certain features can be used without a Nintendo Switch Online membership, and others require a membership:
Features that can be used without a membership
- Managing your Friend List for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch
- Uploading, downloading, and sharing screenshots and videos taken on Nintendo Switch 2
- Receiving invites to join a GameChat room on Nintendo Switch 2
- The following game-specific services*: ZELDA NOTES, SplatNet 2
Features that require a membership
- The following game-specific services*: NookLink, SplatNet 3, Smash World
- Voice chat for compatible Nintendo Switch software*
*Please note that you must own the compatible software to use these services.
How do I get the Nintendo Switch App?
The Nintendo Switch App can be downloaded to your smart device from the App Store (iOS) or the Google Play Store (Android).
Which smart devices are supported?
For information on the minimum OS version for iOS (Apple) and Android devices, please see our information on how to download or update the Nintendo Switch App.
In which countries is this app available?
The Nintendo Switch App is available for customers in regions where Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch related services are also available. Within the Americas, this service, and online play (for applicable modes in compatible games) is available for customers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru.
What games support voice chat using the app?
Some Nintendo Switch games support voice chat using the app, such as Splatoon 3 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, as well as the Nintendo Classics libraries offered as part of Nintendo Switch Online memberships. The app can be used for voice chat with these games regardless of whether they are being played on a Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console.
If you have Start Alerts enabled in the app settings, you will receive a notification when you can start voice chat in compatible software.
Games that are exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 do not support voice chat through the Nintendo Switch App. On Nintendo Switch 2, you can enjoy chatting with friends with GameChat while playing either Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch games.
Which languages are supported?
The following nine languages are currently supported:
- English
- French
- Spanish
- Japanese
- German
- Dutch
- Russian
- Portuguese
- Italian
Do I need to use the Nintendo Switch App to play games online?
The Nintendo Switch App provides additional features, such as voice chat and the ability to send user invites over social media, but it is not required to play Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch games online.
Features & Usage
How do I upload screenshots and videos from my Nintendo Switch 2 console to the app?
For instructions on how to complete this process, please read How to Upload Screenshots and Videos from Nintendo Switch 2 to the Nintendo Switch App.
Please note that this feature is not available on Nintendo Switch, which has other methods to move screenshots and videos to a smart device.
How do I download or share screenshots and videos I uploaded from my Nintendo Switch 2 console?
For instructions on how to complete this process, please read How to Download or Share Screenshots and Videos from the Nintendo Switch App.
Please note that users under the age of 13 cannot share screenshots and videos directly from the app.
How do I manage my friend list using the Nintendo Switch App?
You can add friends by sharing/scanning a QR Code or by using your Friend Code, and then accepting the friend request in the app or on your console. Friends and friend requests are shared between Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, so adding a friend on one console will make it available for both consoles and the Nintendo Switch App when using the same Nintendo Account.
What game-specific services are available through the app?
- ZELDA NOTES: Compatible with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition.
- NookLink: Compatible with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- SplatNet 3: Compatible with Splatoon 3. Requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- SplatNet 2: Compatible with Splatoon 2.
- Smash World: Compatible with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
How do I use the Nintendo Switch App to create an online match to voice chat with other players?
For instructions on how to complete this process, please read How to Voice Chat Using the Nintendo Switch App.
Can I play online and chat with anyone or just friends?
When joining supported online modes, you can chat with any of the other players also using the Nintendo Switch App.
Can I use the app to voice chat with other players when not playing a game?
No. Players are not able to start voice chat communication with the app until they have joined other players in-game.
If you want to chat with other players outside of specific multiplayer modes in compatible software, you can use GameChat on Nintendo Switch 2. Please note that GameChat is a fully separate feature from the Nintendo Switch App. You can receive notifications for GameChat invites in the app, but you can only accept an invite and join GameChat on a Nintendo Switch 2 console.
Can I use the Nintendo Switch App on multiple smart devices?
If you would like to change devices, you can sign in to a new device using your Nintendo Account. However, it is not possible to use voice chat on two or more smart devices at the same time if they use the same Nintendo Account. Each user would need to use their own Nintendo Account in order to voice chat with each other.
Can I use a headset or headphones for voice chat?
Yes. You are able to use headsets or headphones connected to your smart device. If using a wireless Bluetooth headphone or headset with your smart device, ensure it supports the HSP or HFP Bluetooth profile.
Please note that game sounds normally output from the TV or Nintendo Switch console will not be heard from your smart device.
If I use my smart device's other features (texts, social media, etc.) will I be disconnected?
No, if the application is updated to version 1.1.0 or higher, voice chat will continue in the background, even if you press the home button or sleep button on your smart device.
A notification will appear when the app is minimized to let you know when it is running in the background. If you wish to disable voice chat while remaining in the chat room, you can press the X Button at the bottom of the chat screen to suspend voice chat.
How much network data is used by the smart device using this application?
An active Internet connection is required to download and use the application. As with most applications, data usage rate will vary by application feature and data charges may apply based on how you connect the smart device to the Internet. The Nintendo Switch App can use a cellular data plan or Wi-Fi network.
How do I sign in to the application?
Open the app and then follow our steps on how to sign in to your Nintendo Account.
Parents
How do I set Parental Control restrictions?
Because the app runs on your smart device, it cannot be controlled by the parental controls offered in Nintendo's ecosystem. To set restrictions for use of the Nintendo Switch App, please refer to your smart device settings.
The following Nintendo Switch App services/features are restricted to Nintendo Account holders who are age 13 and older:
- Voice chat for compatible Nintendo Switch games
- Sharing screenshots and videos uploaded from Nintendo Switch 2
