Nintendo Switch App Overview and FAQ

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 consoles are restricted to Nintendo Account holders who are aged 13 or older.

• An internet connection for your console and smart device. Data charges may apply.

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 (Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2)

• Uploading, downloading, and sharing screenshots and videos taken on a console (Nintendo Switch 2)

• Receiving GameChat invitations (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.

The Nintendo Switch App can be downloaded to your smart device from the App Store (iOS) or the Google Play Store (Android).

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.

The Nintendo Switch App is available for customers in regions where Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch related services are also available.

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 Notices 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 consoles, you can enjoy chatting with friends with GameChat while playing either Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch games.

The following 9 languages are currently supported:

• English

• French

• Spanish

• Japanese

• German

• Dutch

• Russian

• Portuguese

• Italian

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.

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.

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 consoles, so when using the same Nintendo Account, adding a friend on one console will make them available for both consoles and the Nintendo Switch 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 paid membership to Nintendo Switch Online.

• SplatNet 3: Compatible with Splatoon 3. Requires a paid membership to Nintendo Switch Online.

• SplatNet 2: Compatible with Splatoon 2.

• Smash World: Compatible with Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Requires a paid membership to Nintendo Switch Online.

For instructions on how to complete this process, please read How to Voice Chat Using the Nintendo Switch App.

When joining supported online modes, you can chat with any of the other players also using the Nintendo Switch Online app.

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.

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.

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.

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 minimised 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 X at the bottom of the chat screen to suspend voice chat.

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 Application can use mobile data or a Wi-Fi network.

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.

Some features of the Nintendo Switch App service are restricted to Nintendo Account holders who are aged 13 and older.