Do you own a Nintendo switch? When you've first plugged in your Switch, you might just be bombarded with a bunch of blinking lights and symbols, not entirely sure which one means that your device is charging. Well, look for a battery symbol on the top left of the screen. If you see a lightning symbol right next to it, you're charging.
That said, you might be wondering what options there are for charging the Switch. At the same time, you want to know how to extend your Switch's battery life. We'll try to answer them here:
Ways to charge your Switch
There different ways you can charge your Switch. After all, it is a portable console, not one to be plugged 24/7 to run.
With that, the first option in charging your Switch is to use the included docking station the device came with. In the box, you will receive a charging dock and an adapter to plug the dock into the socket to power it up. With it, you can charge a switch from empty to full within three hours or so. If by any chance, you've lost or broke the dock or adapter or that you did not get both with your Switch, you can always buy them separately.
Another way you can charge your Switch is by utilising the USB-C port on the Switch. With it, you can use many other ways to power your device. For example, if you're always on the move, you can use a battery pack (power bank) with a USB-C cable connected to it to power your Switch. Also, you can use the same cable to connect it to an adapter that plugs into the wall socket for the same purpose.
If you're going with the USB-C route, note that you should always opt for quality cables and power banks. Not only does this mean that your Switch is charged safely, but that enough power is juicing it that you won't lose battery even when it's plugged to the external battery while you're playing games.
Extending the battery life
Whether you're using the older Switch model with questionable battery life or the newer ones with an upgraded battery, your Switch is going to run out of battery. If you don't know what you're doing, you can make it run out faster than usual. Even so, you can do something to use every single drop of power to its maximum efficiency.
The first thing you can do when you play games that don't require any internet connection is to switch on the aeroplane mode. Second, you can lower the brightness of your screen. However, you shouldn't turn it all the way down, as this can hurt your eyesight. Find that balance between brightness and battery saving. Finally, you can disable the Switch's standby mode. While it can be annoying to wait for the Switch to power back up, ensuring that it doesn't sit there eating power when you're not using it is one of the most effective methods of prolonging battery life.
Conclusion
With the tips above, you can you safely charge your Switch and prolong its battery life to allow yourself plenty of gaming time before it finally dies. Still, there will come a time when your Switch's battery will give out, meaning that it won’t work anymore, or it won’t hold a charge properly. For that, a replacement is due.
Need to have Switch repairs done in the UK? Our experts at Gamer Tech have got you covered. Send your device over to us, and we'll get your Switch fixed like new!
