Nintendo Adds Highly Requested Bluetooth Audio Four Years Post-Launch

Nintendo has finally added Bluetooth Audio compatibility to its latest handheld, the Switch, four years after its launch.

Switch fans, rejoice! This is a feature players have been begging the company to add for nearly the entirety of its career. The ability to add a set of Bluetooth speakers, earbuds, or headphones is practically vital to the mobile aspect of a handheld. Now, players will finally be able to take their Switch on the go and not worry about their headphone jack breaking or their audio being too loud in a public place.

Here's how you can activate it on your console.

How to Activate Bluetooth on the Nintendo Switch

First, download the available software update—v13.0.0. This can be done through the HOME menu as long as the handheld is connected to the internet. Once downloaded, it should automatically install. A full installation could take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.

Once the Switch is ready, devices can be added by following these steps:

• Place the desired Bluetooth device in pairing/discoverable mode.
• Unlock the Switch handheld.
• Open the Settings Menu.
• Scroll down to the "Bluetooth Audio" option—below Sleep Mode.
• From that option, select "Add Device." The Switch will automatically scan for nearby available Bluetooth devices.
• Select the device's name once it appears. This will link the two together and should automatically save its connection for convenience.

Users can add headphones or earbuds and/or up-to two wireless controllers. However, any audio played through Bluetooth will be automatically switched off at the start of a wireless multiplayer game—implying that two players will be competing while sitting side by side. Up to 10 devices can be saved at a time.

Nintendo reminded its users to check and potentially adjust the system volume if they've added a new audio device.

Nintendo has published a specific support page for more information about how to manage and add Bluetooth devices.