Playing Nintendo Switch retail version
Open the game card slot and insert the game card. Pay careful attention to the direction the game card is facing when you insert it. Make sure that the label on the game card is facing you, then insert it into the game card slot until you hear a click.
The software icon for the inserted game card will appear on the HOME Menu. Select the icon with your cursor, then press the A Button to start the software.
How to play downloadable software
Playing Nintendo Switch downloadable software
Download the software from Nintendo eShop. Once the download is complete, select the appropriate software icon on the HOME Menu to start the software.
The first time you use Nintendo eShop, the console you are using will automatically be registered as the active console for downloads for your Nintendo Account.
How to purchase downloadable software
You can purchase downloadable software from Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu.
- Linking to a Nintendo Account is required to use Nintendo eShop.
- You must have eShop funds in order to make a purchase on Nintendo eShop. You can add funds using a credit card or Nintendo eShop prepaid code.
For more information about how to purchase the software from the website of Nintendo and software titles which can be purchased at this time, you can visit the official Nintendo website.
Active Console for Downloads
One Nintendo Switch console can be registered as the active console for downloads for each Nintendo Account. Nintendo eShop software can only be purchased, downloaded and played on the console currently registered as the active console for that account.
The first time you use Nintendo eShop, the console you are using will automatically be registered as the active console for downloads for your Nintendo Account.
Downloaded software can be played by any user on that console.
Before exchanging/disposing of a Nintendo Switch console
Before you exchange or dispose of a Nintendo Switch console, please make sure that it is no longer registered as your active console for downloads.
If the console is registered as the active console for multiple Nintendo Accounts, deregister it individually for each Nintendo Account.
→Deregistering the console
Checking the active console for downloads
In Nintendo eShop, you can check whether the console in use is registered as the active console for downloads.
1. Go to Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu, then select the appropriate user.
2. Select the user icon ("Account Information") on the top right of the screen. Go to "active console for downloads" and check whether the console is active.
Deregistering the console
If you would like to register a different console as the active console for downloads for a Nintendo Account, you must first deregister the current console.
This process can only be done using the active console itself. Furthermore, if a console is deregistered from a Nintendo Account, any software purchased using that Nintendo Account will no longer be playable on the console.
Software purchased using a Nintendo Account can be redownloaded on a console by registering that console as the active console for downloads for the Nintendo Account.
Deregistration process
1. Go to Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu, then select the appropriate user.
2. Select the user icon ("Account Information") on the top right of the screen. Go to active console for downloads and select "Deregister" to deregister the console.
Registering another console as the active console for downloads
Link your Nintendo Account to a user on the console. Then, access Nintendo eShop with that user to automatically register the console as the active console for downloads for that Nintendo Account. Once the console is registered, you will need to redownload the Nintendo Switch software you purchased using that Nintendo Account.
The active console for downloads will also be deregistered in the following situations:
- If the Nintendo Account is unlinked from the user
- If the user linked to the given Nintendo Account is deleted
- If the console is restored to factory settings
Nintendo Switch Tips And Secrets
Closing software
Pressing the HOME Button will suspend the software and return you to the HOME Menu. You can close suspended software by selecting it and pressing the X Button.
If you're playing a game that requires manual saving, make sure to save before closing the software. Unsaved data will be lost.
How to remove the game card
To remove the game card from the console, open the game card slot cover and push the game card in until it pops up, then remove it.
When you're finishing using the console
You can put your Nintendo Switch console into sleep mode when you're done using it. That way, if you want to use it again, you can wake it from sleep mode and start playing right away.
Waking the console from sleep mode
Press the HOME Button to wake the console.
Other ways to wake the console/put it to sleep
- Putting the console into sleep mode from the HOME Menu
- Open the Sleep Mode menu from the HOME Menu.
- Putting the console to sleep/waking the console using the POWER Button
- Push the POWER Button to put the console to sleep or wake it from sleep mode.
