Our Nintendo Switch 2 beginners guide is here to help you make the most of your console, whether this is your first time, or if you've already had a run with the original.

From creating system locks to stop pesky hands ruining your game progress to setting up your accessories and enabling internet connection in sleep mode, we're here to make sure you know everything you need to know to get started with your Switch 2.

On that note, here's how to make the most of your Switch 2 in our Nintendo Switch 2 begginers guide, including setting up a system lock and peforming system updates.

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Transferring Switch Data

When you start up your Switch 2 you can choose to do either a full system transfer from your original Switch or you can do individual save data transfers.

A full system transfer will reset your original Switch console by transferring absolutely everything over to your new Switch 2 console. Keep in mind that doing so will reset your original Switch to its factory settings as all of the saved data on the console itself will have been moved to the Switch 2. You can still use your original Switch but save files? Gone files.

A full system transfer will reset your original Switch console by transferring absolutely everything over to your new Switch 2 console. We go into more detail about how to do this and all the options available to you during this process in our Switch 2 System Transfer page.

If, however, you want to still split your time equally between both consoles then you can choose to do save data transfers for individual games by uploading to the save data cloud if you've got a Nintendo Switch Online Membership, or by transferring the data console to console if they're in the same room. We go into more detail about how to do this in our Switch 2 Save Data tranfer guide too.

Set up your User Account

One of the first things you need to do with your Switch is set up your User Account if you didn't do a complete system transfer from Switch 1 to Switch 2 or if this is your very first Switch console.

You will need an e-mail address and be a minimum of 18 years old to be able to set up a Nintendo Account, which is what you need to to create a new User Account on Switch 2. If you've already got a Nintendo Account though you can just sign in to that to use it as new User on Switch 2.

Perform System Update

Whether you've gotten your hands on it on launch day, or you've obtained your Switch 2 a bit further down the line then it's still always a good idea to perform a system update as one of the first things you do after booting your console up.

You can manually perform a Switch 2 system update by heading into the 'System Settings' and then selecting the 'System' at the bottom of the menu. Here you'll find 'System Update' right at the top of the list.

The Switch 2 is automatically set to do automatic system updates. You can change this option, however, by scrolling down to the bottom of the 'System' menu where you can turn 'Automatic Software Updates' off.

Set up Accessibility Features

It's worth taking some time to look at the accessibility features to see if you can alter the settings to make your experience more comfortable, and more suitable for your current needs. You can access these via the Settings menu and selecting the accessibility options within this menu. Here, you can adjust areas such as display colours, text size, or set up Text-to-Speech software.

We've got a seperate page that details more about the Switch 2 accessibility settings.

Set up Parental Controls

If you want to set up Parental Controls on the Switch 2 then you're going to need to download the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on either IOS or Android or access the Parental Controls via the console itself.

Once you've downloaded the app you'll need to sign into your Nintendo Account that you've used to create the User Account on the Switch 2 that you want to have Parental Controls set up for. Once you've done that, you can use the app to set play time limits, create custom restriction levels based on age so they see age appropriate games, and much more.

We've also got a seperate page detailing more about Switch 2 Parental Controls and how to access them.

Create System Lock

Want to make sure no one else can access your Switch 2 when you're not around and damage the progress you've made or use up valuable in-game currency? Then you might want to consider creating a system lock - which is a fancy way of saying create a passcode for your console.

To do this, head into settings and select the 'System' option, you can then choose the 'Console Lock' option.

Once you're in here you need to create a PIN number that will be used to unlock your console (make it something you can easily remember, don't make the mistake I did on my PC and forget it within 24 hours...)

However, if you just want to stop someone accessing your Virtual Game cards and loading them up when you don't want them to then there's a specific lock for this too. To do this, head into your specific user settings (at the top of your HOME screen) and select 'Online License Settings'.

Now all you have to do to do is turn the option on or off depending on your preference.

Set up Accessories

Camera, camera and...camera! I did not think that through. Anyway - accessories! The Switch 2 comes with a handful of accessories, from a Pro Controller to a Camera that you can use to face-off with friends during heated Mario Kart sessions (or to simply hang out while playing and chatting with Game Chat).

Before you can make use of any of the accessories you will need to set them up first, and some are more of a simpler set up than others.

Explore GameChat

GameChat lets you talk with your friends while you're either all playing the same game together on Switch 2, or even if you're all playing different games - it's a way to virtually connect and play with your friends. You can access the Switch 2 Game Chat feature by using the new 'C' button on the Joy-Con. Through this you can also vieo call with friends if you've got a compatible USB-C Camera accessory, or you can use GameChat's GameShare feature to share compatible titles with your pals.

We've got a more detailed guide about showing you how to use GameChat if you want to know more!

Enable Internet Connection in Sleep Mode

If you want your Switch 2 to download updates or continue to download software while it's in Sleep Mode then you'll need to enable internet connection in Sleep Mode to do so, otherwise once the console goes to sleep it'll cut any connection you have and stop any actions it was doing.

To enable internet connection in Sleep Mode you need to head into 'System Settings', then select 'Sleep Mode'. In this menu, make sure that 'Maintain Wired Connection in Sleep Mode' is set to on with the little slider next to it. This will then make sure that the internet connection will remain, even if you put your console to sleep.

Keep in mind that this only works if your Switch 2 is within its dock and said dock is connected to the Internet via an ethernet cable.

Look at eShop

Now onto the fun stuff, it's time to take a look around the eShop (if you want to, though we recommend having a poke around to see what's happening in there - you can sometimes even get free software!). You can find the Nintendo eShop by clicking the small shopping bag icon on the bar at the bottom of your HOME screen:

You'll then need to either sign into the eShop by inputting your account password or by using your PIN (if you created one earlier). Once you've done this, you can browse around the eShop and take a look at all the goodies you can get on your new console. We do highly recommend using the filters in the search option to look for free games, you never know what you might find!

Expand Storage with SD Card

Even though the Switch 2 comes with 256 GB of storage (with some reserved for use by the system itself) you may find yourself running out of room, or you might simply want some extra storage space in case you ever need it. Either way, the answer to that is simple - you can expand your Switch 2 storage space with a microSD Express card.

Now, it's important to not that the Switch 2 is only fully compatible with microSD Express cards and not standard microSD cards. We've gone into more detail about this in our Switch 2 SD card explainer, which we highly recommend looking at before making any SD card purchases.

Play Game!

Now, brace yourself, this is the hardest part... I'm kidding, it's time to play those games! Whether you're diving into exploring the characters in Mario Kart World or trying to find all Shrines in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, it's time to get to grips with your new console and find the joy in gaming once more.

All you need to do is select the game you want to play from your HOME menu (make sure the game cartridge is inserted if it's a physical copy) and that's it!

We hope you enjoy the Switch 2!

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