10 tips for a new Nintendo Switch 2 user

Due to its portable nature, it’s very easy to scratch the screen on your Nintendo Switch or Switch 2. Particularly if you use the docking station to play games on a TV screen. So we recommend fitting a screen protector.

We have found that the best time to fit a screen protector, is as soon as you have unboxed your new console and before switching it on. As it will help to minimise the chance of getting dust behind the screen protector which we found to be the main cause of bubbling.

In our video we used an JSAUX 2-Pack Anti-Glare Screen Protector for the Nintendo Switch 2. Which while it has a guide frame for easy fitting. The frame seemed to be the wrong size and so was basically useless.

As we ruined our first screen protector, when we tried to fit it using the guide frame. For our second protector we simply fitted it by hand. It’s also worth noting that you need to be patient and gentle when trying to remove any air bubbles from the screen protector.

The natural oils from your hands, can over time have an adverse effect on the rubber coating used on a Switch’s thumb sticks. So fitting thumb grips can help to protect a JoyCon’s thumb sticks.

• Turn the thumb grips inside out.
• Place the thumb grip directly over the top of the head of the thumb stick.
• Now roll the inverted rubber grip over the thumb stick.
• In order to make sure the grip is secure. Twist the rubber grip around the head of the thumb stick.

It’s been discovered that by fully charging a battery. Over time, a full charge will start to damage the batteries ability to charge. Which means you end up having to replace it sooner. So it’s recommended for electronic devices that use a battery ie a Laptop or smartphone, you set it so that the battery can only charge at 80 or 90 percent.

To do this on a Nintendo Switch:

• Open System Settings.
• Using the side bar select System.
• In the settings for System, locate “Stop Charging Around 90%“.
• Toggle this option to On.

In order to protect the battery in our Switch, we limited its charge capacity. So the battery will now run down more quickly, which cuts into gaming time. To get around this problem, we bought an Anker Zolo 20W Power Bank. Which will not only charge our Nintendo Switch, but can be used to charge a smartphone, iPad or laptop.

One of the largest drains on a Nintendo Switch’s battery is its backlit 7.9 inch LCD screen. So by reducing the brightness on the screen, we can save power and extend the consoles battery life.

• Press and hold down the Home button on the Switch to display a quick menu.
• In the menu options disable Automatic Brightness.
• Now drop down to the brightness slider and set it to around the 50% mark.
• Slowly increment the brightness up until the screen is comfortable for your eyes. As even a setting of 60% will be saving a considerable amount of battery power.

WiFi and Bluetooth is also a considerable drain on battery life. So if you don’t need an internet connection, and you have your JoyCons connected to your Switch. You can help to protect battery life by enabling Flight mode.

• Press and hold down the Home button on the Switch to display a quick menu.
• From within this menu you will find an option called Flight Mode.
• Drop down to Flight Mode and toggle it on.

While Controller Vibrations can add immersion, it’s also very distracting. So when you combine distracting vibrations with the small draw of additional power needed to power the HD Rumble 2 system. You might want to turn this setting off.

• From the Switch Home Screen, open System Settings.
• Using the sidebar, locate and select Controllers & Accessories.
• Slide down the list of options until you find the setting Controller Vibration and toggle this option off.

If you predominantly use a SteamDeck, Xbox or PlayStation. When you jump over to the Nintendo Switch, you will find that the A and B buttons, are the wrong way around. So if you use muscle memory when navigating through a game, this switch around can starts to become very annoying. So to correct this:

• On the Switch’s Home Screen, open System Settings.
• Using the sidebar, locate and select Controllers & Accessories.
• Slide down the list of options until you find the setting Swap A and B.
• When you select Swap A and B, a display of the right JoyCon will appear.
• Under the picture of the JoyCon is the option Swap.
• Toggle the Swap setting, to swap the mapping for the A and B buttons.

On the Switch 2 you can use the JoyCons as a mouse. However we find the speed of the cursor as it moves around the screen to be very slow. So in order to change the speed of the mouse pointer:

• From the Switch’s Home Screen, open System Settings.
• Using the sidebar, locate and select Controllers & Accessories.
• Slide down the list of options until you find the setting Mouse Sensitivity
• When you click on this setting, you will be presented with three options Slow, Default and Fast.
• For this option we prefer to use Fast.

Note: Currently there are only three settings and no sliding scale. So unless a game specifically supports faster mouse speed options. You will not be able to get the mouse pointer to move any faster.

In theory using a Dark mode theme should save battery life. But as Dark mode on the Switch only really affects the Home Screen. Any battery savings will be very limited. However as Dark mode is less glaring on the eyes, and icons on the Home Screen are easier to see. You might want to consider, enabling this setting.

• On the Switch’s Home Screen, open System Settings.
• Using the sidebar, locate and select Themes. Where you will find two options. Basic White (the default) and Basic Black.
• Select Basic Black and click the A button.