How to Set Up Your Nintendo Switch for the First Time

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Easy instructions to set up and connect any Nintendo Switch model

Written by Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: June 10, 2024 Fact Checked

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System Setup

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Extra Features

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Q&A

As of the year 2024, the Nintendo Switch has 3 models: the classic Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch Lite, and the Nintendo Switch OLED model. Each device is easy to set up with the help of your Joy-Con controllers, dock, AC adapter cord, and HDMI cable—and we’re here to show you how. Read on to learn all the essential steps to getting your Nintendo Switch up and running, so that you and your household can start enjoying your favorite games to play.

Simple Nintendo Switch Setup

Plug the AC adapter into the top, then the HDMI cable into the bottom port of the Nintendo Switch.
Slide and lock the Joy-Cons into each side of the Switch (unless you have a Switch Lite).
Finish configuring your Nintendo Switch (e.g., language, region, Internet, etc.) by reading and following the on-screen guides.

Section 1 of 2:

System Setup

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1
Plug the AC adapter into the bottom of your Nintendo Switch. The AC adapter is a large cord with a brick-like plug on one end and a USB-C plug on the other. Plug it into the wall, and then insert the adapter into the bottom of the tablet console.^{[1]
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- The tablet console is the rectangular, black portion of your device.
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Slide and click the Joy-Con controllers into the tablet console. The Joy-Con controllers have a “+” or “-” sign in each corner, and slide directly into the sides of the tablet console. You’ll hear a “click” when each Joy-Con is locked in place.^{[2]
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- Skip this step if you have a Nintendo Switch Lite (since there aren’t any detachable Joy-Cons to remove them, and it doesn’t support using it on the TV).
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Your Switch will power on and give you a list of languages to choose from: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Russian, and Japanese. Select the language you’d like, and then choose which region of residence you live in (The Americas, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, or Japan).^{[3]
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Nintendo requires you to accept the provided End-User License Agreement (EULA) before you can start using the console. Hit “View End-User License Agreement” if you’d like to read through it, or simply hit “Accept” box and then the “Next” button to continue.^{[4]
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Connect your Nintendo Switch to your Wi-Fi network. Choose your home’s Wi-Fi network from the list of networks on the screen, and manually type in the passcode. Wait a minute or two for your console to test and finalize the connection before giving you the seal of approval. You can also use an Ethernet adapter and router to connect to a LAN wired connection.^{[5]
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- If you’d rather skip this step, hit “X” on your right Joy-Con controller.
Scroll through the provided list until you reach the correct timezone for your area on where you live in.^{[6]
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Hook up your Switch to the TV. Remove the Joy-Cons from the tablet console by pressing the circular release button on the back while sliding them out. Prop up your tablet console on a flat surface using the kickstand attached to the back. (Note that the OLED model has a significantly larger kickstand than the standard Nintendo Switch.)^{[7]
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Research source} Then:
- Select “Next” using the “A” button on your right Joy-Con.
- Open up the panel on the back of the dock and plug the AC adapter into the top-most cord plug.
- Plug one end of your HDMI cable into the bottom-most cord plug. Then, plug the opposite end of the cord into the HDMI port on your TV, but make sure to notice which HDMI input you choose, so you can select the same input source on your TV.
- Snap the kickstand closed and slip the touchscreen console into the dock (with the screen facing away from the cord panel).
- And double-check that the TV is switched to the correct input source using your remote control.
- Wait for the TV screen to light up, and then hit the blue “Success” button.
  - If you run into issues, hit the “No Image on TV Screen” option instead.
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Create your own user profile. Hit the “Create a New User” option and pick a premade icon of any Nintendo character (e.g., Yoshi, Bowser, Zelda, Pikmin, Samus, Blathers, Celeste, etc.) or make a custom icon with your own Mii.^{[8]
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Research source} Enter the nickname for your user profile, and link your Nintendo Account if you'd like.
- If you have more than one user on your Nintendo Switch, you can add other users if you want to do so.
- To link your Nintendo Account, follow the on-screen prompts to sign into said account (either manually or with a smart device) or make a new one altogether. If you choose to create a new Nintendo Account, choose the “Send account-creation instructions via email” option and enter your email. After setting up your account, you’ll get a 5-digit verification code from Nintendo that you’ll enter into your Switch to complete the setup process.
- Optional: Hit “Configure Parental Controls” on the following screen if you’d like to set up parental controls for a younger member of your household. Otherwise, hit “Skip.”
You’re all done with the setup process and are ready to enjoy your Switch.^{[9]
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Section 2 of 2:

Extra Features

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Insert a game into the game card slot to pull it up on the main menu. Look along the top edge of the tablet console to find the game card slot. Insert the game card so the game card’s label/design faces the same direction as the touchscreen. Then, push the card down until you hear a click.^{[10]
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- When the game is inserted correctly, it will pop up on the main menu within the game.
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Insert a microSD card to give your console more storage. If you have a classic or OLED model Nintendo Switch, lift up the back kickstand to access the microSD slot; if you have a Nintendo Switch Lite, simply open up the cover. Slip the card into the slot so the with the label facing up—it’ll click when it’s correctly installed.^{[11]
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- To take the microSD card out, press along the edge of the card so it snaps out.
- A microSD card gives your system extra storage and allows your system to hold more games.
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Download new games and apps in the Nintendo eShop. On the Home screen of your console, scroll down and select the icon with a gold/orange outline of a shopping bag—this takes you to the Nintendo eShop. When it pops up, it asks you who is using the Nintendo eShop. Use the provided menu options and the search function to find a variety of different games and programs that you can download to your Switch.^{[12]
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- Did you know? You can download program apps like Hulu, YouTube, and Crunchyroll on the Switch.
Find the capture button toward the bottom of the left Joy-Con (or beneath the Control Pad, if you’re using a Nintendo Switch Lite).^{[13]
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Research source} While playing a game, press this button once to screenshot a single frame of the game, or press and hold the button to record the past 30 seconds of gameplay. To access your footage, select the blue “Album” icon on the Home page.^{[14]
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Head to the Nintendo eShop and scroll down to the “Nintendo Switch Online” option. Here, you can choose to purchase an individual membership for yourself, or a family membership (which serves up to 8 people). You can also click/tap here to set up a Nintendo Online membership (just make sure you’re logged into your Nintendo Account).^{[15]
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Community Q&A

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Question

Can different users have different saved data on games? As far as I know, the new Zelda game only has one save slot.

Community Answer

Yes, different users of the same system can have different save files if they sign onto their account when entering a game.

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Will Nintendo switch ever be backward compatible in the future?

Hagukanan

Top Answerer

No, it will not. The Switch cartridges are completely unique to the console, so Wii U, Wii, 3DS, and DS games are not and will never be compatible with the Switch.

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Question

Where is the best place to buy a Nintendo Switch? I live in a low income household.

Hagukanan

Top Answerer

They're sold at many retail stores, such as Target, Walmart, etc., and Best Buy sometimes has good deals on the Nintendo Switch and the accessories that go with it. You could also look at stores that sell them used and reconditioned, to save a lot on them. Or, wait for the sales.

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