How do I go online with the Switch in ?

Table of Contents :

The nintendo-switch hides a built-in web browser that few people know about.

nintendo It was intentionally hidden deep within the file system to protect young users, but it can be accessed without jailbreaking the device by performing a simple sequence in the settings.

You can also enjoy a Free Nintendo Switch Gift Card to enhance your console experience.

When you connect your Switch to the internet, you can:

Play online with players from around the world
Buy digital software on the Nintendo eShop
Get news and announcements from nintendo
Sign in to parental control apps

Nintendo Switch resting on a surface ©Antonin for Alucare.fr

Two ways to access the Internet using Switch

You can choose between two methods to go online with your console. The first one connects you to a wireless network a classic way to play online and access the’eShop.

The second one modifies the DNS to unlock the built-in browser, which is well hidden in the Switch's settings.

Method 1: Accessing the Internet with the Nintendo Switch via a wireless network

To log in, wifi, you need three things:

A broadband Internet connection
A wireless router (access point)
Your nintendo-switch

Before you begin, write down your SSID (network name) and your Wi-Fi password, because you'll be asked for them. Here are the steps to follow:

Place the console at less than 3 meters from the router to ensure a strong signal.
Go to the menu HOME, then select Settings.
Select Internet, then Internet Settings. The Switch automatically searches for nearby Wi-Fi networks.
Select the network name appropriate item from the list.
If you can't find your SSID, move closer to the router and press the button Y to restart a search.
Between the password from the network using the on-screen keyboard.
The console checks the connection automatically. Select OK once the test is complete.
If that fails, a error code appears to help you identify the problem.

Something to keep in mind: if a network name appears in gray, this means that its security type isn't supported by the console. If it doesn't appear at all, the problem is with your Wi-Fi environment.

Method 2: Accessing the Internet with Nintendo Switch by changing the main DNS

This method opens the hidden web browser of the console, available on all system firmware versions. In practice, you redirect the Wi-Fi login portal to a basic web browser.

It's not Google Chrome : no extensions, no synchronization, and the The session closes automatically after 20 minutes.

You can still access popular websites, share links, or view social networks as Facebook, even though the experience is still limited.

A quick heads-up before you get started: all your network traffic goes through a unofficial third-party DNS server. So avoid entering sensitive information while you're browsing, and keep in mind that some Cookies can be submitted just like on any browser.

But you don't need to jailbreak your device. This tutorial walks you through the process step by step:

Open the Settings from the gear icon on the home screen.
Go down to Internet, then Internet Settings. Select the Wi-Fi connection you're using.
Choose Change settings, then DNS settings.
Toggle the Automatic DNS to the Manual DNS. Next, enter the Primary DNS : 045.055.142.122 (department address SwitchBru). Be sure to check every number and every period carefully; otherwise, you'll get an error message.
Do not change the secondary DNS. Record the settings.
Press the button To log in that appears on the screen.
The console is asking you to register to use this network. Select Next.
On page SwitchBru DNS, click on Continue to Google and surf the web on your Switch.

That's it: you can access the hidden browser without jailbreaking, just by playing around with the DNS settings of your nintendo-switch.

Access Google from the console

Go to Google on the Switch. ©Antonin for Alucare.fr

What opens up is not Google Chrome, but the built-in browser for the Switch—simple but functional.

Follow the steps in the Method 2 above to access it: changing the DNS settings will redirect you directly to the Google homepage.

That's enough for a Quick Search or to share a link. This tip also works on Switch Lite, without jailbreaking.

Access YouTube from the console

Unlike the incognito browser, YouTube has a official and free app on the Switch, available for download directly from the Nintendo eShop. Here's how to do it:

From the Home menu, open the tab Nintendo eShop. Selects a profile linked to a Nintendo account (required to access the eShop).
Go to the tab search function, then enter «YouTube» in the search bar.
Select the app Youtube in the list, then click on Download. It's completely free.
Once the installation is complete, run Youtube directly from your Switch's home screen.

The app lets you watch videos and connect your Google account, but it's still more limited than a computer browser. Be sure to check that your console is set to day to take advantage of the latest version.

How to Get Netflix using Switch?

Netflix is not available on Nintendo Switch. There are no apps Netflix official version on the console, and you won't find it on the Nintendo eShop.

If you want watch movies on the Switch, the only option is to install’Android, a technical and risky maneuver.

A word of caution before you get started

Install Android is equivalent to jailbreak your console. In practice, you're exposing yourself to several risks:

Ban from Nintendo Servers If the console connects to the internet with modified firmware (no longer has access to the eShop or in multiplayer mode).
Console is inoperable if an error occurs during installation.

Another important point: the method only works on the Unpatched Switches (Erista model). The Switch Lite, Switch V2, and OLED are not compatible. Check your serial number above all else.

It should also be noted that the project Switchroot is currently in minimal maintenance : It is still functional, but there have been no major updates recently.

Installing Android on Nintendo Switch

Install Android on your console gives you access to the Google Play Store, from which you can install Netflix just like on any Android phone. Here's what you need:

A cable USB-C to connect the Switch to a PC
A map microSD of at least 16 GB

Once you're ready, follow these steps in order:

Insert the card microSD onto your computer using a card reader.
Download the bootloader Hekate.
Unzip the archive and move the files to the root directory of the SD card.
Start the Switch in HOS and combines the Joy-Con.
Reinsert the SD card into the console and place the jig RCM on the straight track.
Connect your Switch to your PC using the USB cable, then turn it off.
Enter mode RCM by pressing Volume + and Power, then injects the payload hekate_ctcaer_[version].bin.
Remove the jig RCM and throws Nyx Options after starting Hekate.
Open the score manager, then click on Tools.
Use the cursor to select 16 GB for the operating system, then move on to the next step.
Reconnect the console to the PC and select SD UMS.
Download the package Icosa and unzip it to the root directory of the SD card.
Download MindTheGapps, move it to the root of the SD card, then eject the SD UMS.
Select Android Flash on the console and agrees to restart in recovery mode.
Start the installation, then choose Select storage, then MicroSD Card, and extract the ZIP file Lineage.
Start Switchroot Android from the advanced settings of Hekate.
Then restart the console using the original firmware to return to your usual Nintendo system.