Nintendo Support

How to Pair Joy-Con 2 Controllers to Nintendo Switch 2

Steps for pairing Joy-Con 2 controllers to a Nintendo Switch 2 console.

Before you start

You will need:

  • Your Nintendo Switch 2

  • The Joy-Con 2 controller(s) you wish to pair

Complete these steps

Joy-Con 2 can be paired to the Nintendo Switch 2 console in the following ways:

Joint pairing

  1. Power on the console.

  2. Attach the Joy-Con 2 controllers you want to pair to the console.

    • How to attach Joy-Con 2 to Nintendo Switch 2

      1. Position the console so it's upright and facing you.

      2. Bring the right Joy-Con 2 (controller with + Button) to the right side of the console.

      3. Align the bottom of the controller close to the console, then bring the top close to the console. You will hear a click when it is securely attached.

        • Keep the area between the Joy-Con 2 and the console clear of any foreign objects.

      4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the left Joy-Con 2 (controller with - Button).

      The attached Joy-Con 2 controllers are ready to be used. They will also be paired wirelessly to the console and can be detached to use wirelessly. For more information, see How to Attach/Detach the Joy-Con 2 Controllers from Nintendo Switch 2.

Button pairing or wireless pairing

  1. From the HOME Menu, select controllers.

  2. Select Change Grip/Order.

  3. From the Change Grip/Order screen, press and hold down the SYNC Button for at least one second on the controller you wish to pair.

    • Once paired, the player LED(s) corresponding to the controller number will remain lit.

  4. Confirm how the Joy-Con 2 will be held.

    Important

    • By doing the Button Pairing alone, the console will not be able to tell if the Joy-Con 2 will be held as a dual-controller grip, or if the Joy-Con 2 will be held horizontally as individual controllers.

    • To confirm how the Joy-Con 2 will be used, press the buttons as indicated below while on this screen.

How to Use the Joy-Con

Buttons to Press

As a dual-controller grip

L Button (on left Joy-Con 2) + R Button (on right Joy-Con 2)

Joy-Con 2 controllers used as a dual-controller grip

ZL Button (on left Joy-Con 2) + ZR Button (on right Joy-Con 2)

As a solo horizontal grip

SL Button + SR Button on each Joy-Con 2 you wish to use horizontally

USB Connection Pairing

  1. Power on the console.

  2. Attach the Joy-Con 2 to the Joy-Con 2 charging grip (sold separately).

  3. Connect the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip to the Nintendo Switch 2 dock with the included USB-C cable.

Additional information

Up to eight wireless controllers can be paired to a Nintendo Switch 2 console. However, the maximum number of controllers that can be connected will vary depending on the type of controllers and features that are used.