11 Tips and Settings for the Nintendo Switch You Should Definitely Know About

You bought a Switch or are looking for the right settings? MeinMMO presents the best settings and tips for your Switch that you should use.

If you’ve purchased a Switch or are starting it for the first time, the Switch takes over many settings. However, besides the basic settings, there are a few more tips and hints that you should consider. With the right settings, you can not only extend battery life but also save a lot of time in the Switch’s online shop.

MeinMMO presents the best settings and tips for the Switch that you should keep in mind. This way, you can get the most out of the Switch.

Change Button Mapping

What does this do? If you have other consoles at home, it may happen that due to habit and “muscle memory” you accidentally press the wrong button on your Switch. This is due to the peculiarities that the controller, which is oriented to the Japanese system, brings for people from the West.

For example, both the A and B buttons as well as the X and Y buttons on the Switch are swapped with those of the Microsoft controller. This also leads to the fact that on PlayStation, the X button (which is usually needed to confirm an action) on the DualShock or DualSense gamepad is the bottom of the four buttons, while the Switch confirms with the A button, which is on the right.

Since system update 10.00, you can manually change your button mapping and adapt it to your individual needs. This is currently possible for the Joy-Cons and the Nintendo Switch Pro controller. Unfortunately, this does not work with third-party gamepads, such as the Split Pad Pro.

Here’s how to change your button mapping

• Select “System Settings” in the HOME menu.
• Scroll down to “Controllers and Sensors” and choose “Change Button Mapping”.
• Now you can select the controller you want to edit. Then click “Change” and you’re in the button configuration and can customize them to your liking.
• Finally, confirm by clicking “Done”.

Connect Bluetooth Audio Devices to the Switch

What does this do? No other console represents mobility like the Switch. Although it has an Aux input where you can plug your wired headphones into the console, it was long not possible to connect Bluetooth headphones to the Switch.

However, you can now use Bluetooth headsets and headphones easily with your Switch. And it’s actually quite simple:

Here’s how to connect Bluetooth audio devices:

• Select “System Settings” in the HOME menu.
• Scroll down to “Bluetooth Audio”.
• Select “Add Device” and make sure your audio device can be discovered.
• Once found and a connection is established, confirm with “OK”.
• Your audio device is now paired with your Switch and connects automatically to your console.

Improve TV Screen Resolution

What does this do? The Switch achieves a maximum resolution of 720p in handheld mode and 1080p in docking mode, provided it is connected to a correspondingly powerful device. Yet, many players still do not know how to set this up. Since the default setting on the Switch is “Automatic”, it may occur that you are playing at a resolution of just 480p or 720p when much more is possible.

You can also enhance the RGB spectrum of your console. Again, the default setting is “Automatic”. It’s quite possible that you can get more out of your console here as well.

Here’s how to change your TV screen resolution and the RGB spectrum:

• Select “System Settings” in the HOME menu.
• Scroll down to “TV Output” and select “TV Screen Resolution”.
• Here, choose 1080p and then confirm with “OK”.
• Similar steps apply if you want to adjust the RGB spectrum.
• For this, simply select “RGB Spectrum” under “TV Output”, set it to “Full Spectrum”, and confirm with “OK”.

Create a Second Account

What does this do? Many games only allow one save slot per account. However, if you want to create multiple save files, you can use a trick. By creating a second account, you can also save a game with this “user”. In total, you can create up to 8 user accounts on a Switch.

If you change the country of your account to Japan, you’ll also gain access to various exclusive demos that you cannot use with a German account.

Here’s how to create a second account:

• Select “System Settings” in the HOME menu.
• Scroll down to “Users” and choose “Add User” and click “Next”.
• Select the icon you want for the account. Tap “More Options” to access additional characters and backgrounds.
• Once you’ve chosen an image, enter a nickname. Select “OK”.
• Then you can link the new user account with a Nintendo account.

Activate Dark Mode

What does this do? You can find Dark Mode on several devices and even in the browser. Dark Mode reduces eye strain, as you don’t have to look at so many bright areas.

Bright pixels are displayed dark in Dark Mode, while dark pixels are displayed bright. Texts, websites, and menus are shown with black text on a white background. In Dark Mode, it’s exactly the opposite: the text is displayed in white, the background is black. This way, fewer pixels need to light up brightly than in normal mode.

If you play with a Switch OLED version, Dark Mode is particularly worthwhile. Because with an OLED display, every pixel lights up. If you reduce the brightness, you can save a lot of power, as many pixels do not need to shine so brightly. The gains are not as great with LCD displays, as the liquid crystals behind always emit light (via spiegel.de).

Here’s how to activate Dark Mode:

• You are now in the menu – select “System Settings” at the bottom of the bar.
• Scroll down in the left menu to “Themes”.
• Select “Black”.

Adjust Brightness

What does this do? Brightness consumes a large part of the battery life. If you lower the brightness, you can extend the battery life. So if you reduce the brightness, you can extend the battery life of the Switch. Especially if you play in the evening or in the dark, you should definitely lower the brightness.

Here’s how to adjust the brightness of the Switch:

• Press and hold the HOME button for at least one second to access the quick settings.
• Here you can turn on or off the option “Auto Brightness” or manually adjust the brightness via the slider.

Activate Airplane Mode

What does this do? The Switch continuously wants to connect to the internet. It constantly searches for new updates and checks whether your friends are online and what games they are currently playing or have started. You also get notifications about what is currently on sale in the shop.

If you are currently playing a single-player game, the background activity only unnecessarily drains your battery. By turning on Airplane Mode, all these tasks of the Switch simply go away, and you will notice the difference. If that’s not enough, there’s also a useful gadget that can significantly improve your Nintendo Switch.

Here’s how to activate Airplane Mode:

• Select “System Settings” in the HOME menu.

• In the left options, select “Airplane Mode”.
• Then go to the right side and select “Airplane Mode”. Press the A button to activate it. To deactivate Airplane Mode, press A again.

Disable eShop Password

What does this do? If you want to open the Switch eShop, you have to log in with your password every time. Are you annoyed that you need the password every time? Then just turn off the entry.

Here’s how to disable the password:

• Open the eShop, select your profile icon at the top right.
• Then look for your account information.
• Here you will be asked for which items you want to use your password. Disable the password for opening the shop. Then you will need to re-enter the password for confirmation.

Activate Cloud Save Function

What does this do? For 20 euros a year, you can get the online service “Switch Online” from Nintendo. This includes online multiplayer and the cloud save function. You should use this if you want to save the saves from your offline games and also use them on other devices.

The Switch Expansion Pass for an additional 30 euros per year is not worth it. Because here you only get access to a collection of poorly restored classics that are not worth the extra cost.

Here’s how to activate automatic saving:

• Select “System Settings” in the HOME menu and then “Data Management”. Under this, you will find “Save Data Cloud”.
• Select the desired user and then “Settings”.
• Select “Create Automatic Save Data Backup” to activate the function. Select the option again to deactivate the function.

Buy a Screen Protector for the Switch

What does this do? If you regularly carry your Switch around or take it out of the docking station frequently, you should buy a screen protector for your Switch. This way, you increase the lifespan of the Switch and protect the display from scratches.

You typically pay around 15 to 20 euros for a good screen protector for your Switch. These protectors are available for both the Nintendo Switch and the Switch OLED.

*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!

Buy an Additional Controller

What does this do? Are the Joy-Cons of the Nintendo Switch too small or are you generally dissatisfied with the included controllers? Then get yourself an additional and ergonomic controller for your Switch. Other controllers like the Pro Controller fit better in the hand and often offer additional functions.

With an additional Bluetooth dongle, you can even use your Xbox controller on the Nintendo Switch.

*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!

Otherwise, it is often stated in the description or in the user manual whether the controller is compatible with the Nintendo Switch.

If you are looking for a controller for your Switch: MeinMMO has now tested an alternative to the official Pro Controller. In the test on MeinMMO, you can read whether the controller is worth it for you:

Fusion Pro for the Nintendo Switch in review – Is the wireless controller worth 107 €?