Setting up a pair of wireless Bluetooth headphones with a Nintendo Switch was a multi-step – and somewhat expensive – process. First, you needed headphones, then a Bluetooth audio transmitter that would plug into either your Switch's headphone jack or its downward-facing USB-C port. Well, after about four years, Nintendo surprised us with a system update that finally enables this functionality natively – no accessories required.
Some Bluetooth transmitters, like Genki's Switch adapter, may still be worth the investment if you want the ability to connect multiple headphones simultaneously (the Switch only allows one headset to be paired to the times). But if it's just you and your Switch, the new process is no more complicated than pairing headphones with your smartphone. That said, there are still a few steps to follow, which we'll walk through below.
On most pairs of Bluetooth headphones, you can enter pairing mode by pressing and holding the power button longer than it takes to turn them on . Most models emit a distinct chime or have LEDs that flash faster to indicate pairing mode is active.
This feature isn't limited to large on-ear or over-ear headphones either. You can also pair wireless headphones, but the pairing process might be a little different for these. You can easily pair Apple AirPods with the Switch, for example, but you'll need to open the case with the AirPods inside and press the pairing button on the side of the case. If all else fails, consult your headset's instruction manual or search online for the process.
From here, navigate to the Switch's main menu where you can select a game and click the settings icon below the game library. It looks like a gear.
In the next window, scroll down the left pane until you see "Bluetooth Audio". Click on it, at which point your only option will be to click "Pair Device".
With your headphones in pairing mode (and your Switch is now actively searching for them), their model name should appear on the Switch screen. When it does, click the model name to begin pairing your headphones or earphones with your Switch.
Once successful, a window will appear saying "Connected to Bluetooth Audio".
If you're having trouble, like your Switch suddenly taking about 30 seconds to wake up, my colleague Sean Hollister has the solution for you. Nintendo also noted that by connecting headphones via Bluetooth, your Switch will only be able to connect to two wireless controllers, as opposed to several others in circumstances where you're not paired. There may also be some audio latency, so what's happening in-game may not quite match what you're hearing. In my brief testing experience, however, it didn't sound noticeably worse than when I relied on third-party Bluetooth transmitters.
