The portability of the Nintendo Switch sets it apart from all other home media consoles. Even after you disconnect it from your screen, you can keep playing wherever you go.
But if your Switch battery dies, the fun ends until you can get back to a power source. And unfortunately, the Switch’s battery life isn’t very long: you’ll typically get between three and nine hours of active use on an original Nintendo Switch, depending on how hardware-intensive the game you’re playing.
How to charge a Nintendo Switch
- Plug the included USB-C charging cable into a power outlet and into the USB-C port on the back of the Switch base.
- Slide the Switch console into the dock so that the USB-C connector connected to the dock enters the port on the bottom of the Switch.
If you want to play Switch in handheld mode or own a Nintendo Switch Lite, simply plug the USB-C cable directly into the base of the Switch console.
Charging switch with phone charger
- You can also use the cable from the Nintendo Switch, which also has a USB-C connector.
- Ensure that you have a USB-C cable.
- No other ports will work with your switch.
- Many phone chargers also offer QuickCharge capabilities.
- The truth is that QuickCharge 2.0 and 3.0 don’t make a significant difference when it comes to charging Switch.
- QuickCharge 4.0 is slightly faster but delivers only half the normal charge that the Switch is designed for.
Can you play your Nintendo Switch while charging?
You can safely play your Switch while charging. It doesn’t matter whether you connect it via the charging cable or on the docking station.
However, playing games that consume a lot of power can cause the battery to take longer to charge. Especially 3D titles with long train distances.
However, playing while charging or in the dock is a great idea. This allows your Switch to run at peak performance without worrying about battery life.
If you play games on your Switch handheld while charging, you may find that it feels warmer than usual. Or you may hear the internal fan turning on.
Does the Switch charge faster in the dock?
The dock is a great way to change the Switch while it’s in console mode. It should also charge the device fairly quickly. It might not be as fast as using the Switch’s dedicated adapter. However, this also depends on the type and specifics of the power supply that you want to pair with the adapter.
Some quick charge chargers may charge the device faster than docked, but probably only when it’s off or idle. There is also a limit to how much power the switch can draw at one time.
How long does it take to charge a switch to turn it on?
Your Switch must reach 1% charge to power on. If your battery is completely drained, it will take around 10-15 minutes to reach this point.
When your Switch says it’s at 1%, the battery is usually full. For example, Switch takes longer to go from 1% to 0% than from 2% to 1%. This is because the Switch has reserve power to boot up and save game states.
How long is the battery life of a Nintendo Switch?
It usually takes 3-3.5 hours to charge a Nintendo Switch. However, full battery life varies by Switch model.
Nintendo has released three different versions of the Switch, each with its own expected battery life. In addition, the basic Switch model comes in two forms: the original Release version and the new Enhanced Standard Edition.
Can a Nintendo Switch be charged with a phone charger?
As long as you have a USB-C cable, you can charge the Switch with a phone charger. Charging your phone while the Switch battery is charging may result in a slow battery drain when playing.
Conclusion
Charging your Nintendo Switch is easy and can be done with most standard home electronics chargers. Just be sure to use the correct type of cable for your Nintendo Switch and make sure the charger is compatible with your device.