AirPods with Nintendo Switch

For years, the Airpods with Nintendo Switch has dominated the portable gaming console market. That’s why it’s understandable if you want to partner them with AirPods – the top true wireless earbuds (TWS) on the market today.

However, using AirPods with the Nintendo Switch isn’t as intuitive as one would like. In fact, this was not possible until last year.

So, So, if you’re wondering how to connect AirPods to Nintendo Switch, look no further.. This article will guide you through the entire process so you can start peaceful gaming in no time.

How to Connect Airpods with Nintendo Switch

With wireless audio, gaming on Nintendo Switch is now more enjoyable and fun. Let’s check out these easy steps on how to connect AirPods to Switch without a dongle – it only takes a few minutes.

Before connecting your AirPods to your console, make sure your system is up to date, at least version 13.0.0.

To check your system version, go to System Settings>>System>>System Update. You’ll see your current Switch version under System Update.

If the system is old, do not start the pairing process Upgrade by connecting the console to the Internet and selecting System Update. After updating the system, restart the console. Then, follow the steps below to pair AirPods with Nintendo Switch:

1. Open System Settings by clicking the gear icon at the bottom right of the Switch screen.
2. Scroll down the menu and select Bluetooth Audio.
3. Select the paired device. A message will appear explaining the capabilities and limitations of the switch’s Bluetooth feature.
4. Press and hold the pairing button on your AirPods case until the status light turns white to make them discoverable.
5. Open the AirPods case and wait for it to appear in the list of Bluetooth audio devices. Select the name of the AirPods. If pairing fails, repeat the process.

If you already connected your AirPods to Nintendo Switch, you don’t need to repeat the steps above.

How to Use Game Chat Using Airpods with Nintendo Switch

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to use your AirPods’ mic when connecting directly to your Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo Switch’s native Bluetooth audio support feature has no mic support, and game chat is disabled.

However, that doesn’t mean you should forget about game chat and completely miss out on communicating with your teammates while using AirPods.

Here are two ways to use the Game Chat feature wirelessly:

Using a Bluetooth Adapter

However, you can access this feature with a separate Bluetooth dongle with a mic input, such as the GuliKit Route Air Bluetooth Adapter.

You can configure the dongle and enjoy voice chat features in minutes:

1. Plug the Bluetooth adapter into the Switch’s USB-C port.
2. Plug the adapter’s built-in mic into the Nintendo Switch’s 3.5mm auxiliary port.
3. Turn on the Bluetooth adapter. You can press the button on the bottom of the transmitter for about five seconds or until the LED starts flashing.
4. Put your AirPods into pairing mode, and they’ll automatically connect to the Switch in no time.

You may need to adjust the holding position of the console as the sound input will be through the plugged mic and not the AirPods.

Using the Airpods with Nintendo Switch Online App

The Nintendo Switch Online app allows you to connect and interact with your playmates using your smartphone and AirPods. To use this app, you must:

Download and install it on your mobile device from App Store or Google Play Store.

1. Create a Nintendo Online Account and link it to your mobile app and Switch console.
2. Then, follow the simple steps below to start using voice chat:
3. Open the Nintendo Online app on your smartphone and sign in using your Nintendo Account details.
4. Start your Switch console and select a compatible game.
5. Select Start on your smartphone when you start a voice chat? Immediately.

You have to choose whether you want to use your AirPods for a game chat or to listen to game audio since you can only connect to your mobile device or console.

Connecting AirPods to Nintendo Switch: What You Should Look For

Nintendo Expanded and released the Switch gaming console on March 3, 2017.And since then there have been many updates. However, all previous Switch versions lacked Bluetooth audio support until they released version 13.0.0 on September 14, 2021.

This new update comes with additional features, including:

• Bluetooth audio support allows the Nintendo Switch to pair with Bluetooth-enabled audio output devices such as AirPods, headphones, and speakers.
• Dock Update in the System Settings menu of Switch and Switch-OLED models allows software updates via LAN.
• Maintain sleep mode Internet connection in system settings which allows the system to continue downloading add-on content and software updates even when in sleep mode.
• “Connection Status,” tells you whether you are on the 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz frequency band.

While this update ensures that you can now connect AirPods to the Switch, there are still some connectivity limitations, such as:

•  Connecting AirPods to the Switch limits the number of Joy-Con administrators that can accommodate two in the console. So only two players can play at a time.
• You can’t use your AirPods’ mic. You’ll need a separate dongle or the Nintendo Switch online app to access the voice chat feature.
• Local wireless connections interfere with Bluetooth function. So, you won’t be able to use your AirPods while playing group games that link multiple consoles together.
• The Nintendo Switch’s Bluetooth only supports the SBC codec: The Bluetooth audio codec is responsible for compressing and decompressing the audio signals from your device to your AirPods – so the codecs match Delay, Static, or Here may cause disconnection. Unfortunately, the Nintendo Switch only supports SBC, while the AirPods support AAC.
• The software update function is not available on some Switch models without a LAN port, such as the Nintendo Switch Lite. As a result, you cannot use AirPods with such models if you have older systems.

Result

While there are more earbuds compatible with Nintendo Switch than AirPods, being able to work around an AirPods-Switch pairing is an opportunity most gamers would rather not miss.

With this in mind, we hope that with these tips, you can now experience this quirky pairing to enjoy both game sound and voice chat for a more immersive gaming experience. Plus, you can play with style and flexibility without the hassle of frayed cables and tangled wires.