Looking for secret Nintendo Switch tips? How about a built-in web browser? This actually exists, you just can’t use it — at least, not directly. Why? Because the console is a portable, gaming-first device. You likely have a smartphone in your pocket, purse, or bag already, and Nintendo knows this. Even more, gaming consoles aren’t the best devices for browsing the internet anyway.
That said, you won’t find a dedicated web browser preinstalled on the console or listed in the eShop. Instead, it’s mainly used to log in to a public access point (hotspot), like a hospital, hotel, airport, Starbucks, and so on. It’s minimal at best, enabling very basic web surfing. It struggles with scripts and doesn’t support modern web-based technologies like Flash, but is worth taking a look for a few giggles.
To use the browser outside the typical hotspot method, you must trick the console by manually inserting a primary DNS address. Our instructions on how to use the hidden Nintendo Switch browser relies on SwitchBru, a free hosted DNS server that redirects your queries to Google’s public DNS servers. According to the service, your connection is encrypted.
Still, keep in mind that you’re connecting to a third-party service. SwitchBru claims it doesn’t collect information like your IP address and surfing habits, but it does offer a free service for storing your favorite links and preferences.
Further Reading
- The best Nintendo Switch tips, tricks, and hacks
- How to gameshare on your Nintendo Switch
- The best Nintendo Switch accessories
Use the web browser
Step 1: Tap or select the System Settings “gear” icon located on the Home screen.
Step 2: Scroll down and tap or select the Internet option on the following screen.
Step 3: Select Internet Settings on the right.
Step 4: Tap or select an internet connection.
Step 5: On the following screen, tap or select Change Settings.
Step 6: Scroll down and tap or select DNS Settings.
Step 7: Choose Manual in the pop-up window at the bottom.
Step 8: Select Primary DNS, clear all the zeroes, and enter this address:
045.055.142.122
Select OK or tap the “plus” button to continue.
Step 9: Tap or select the Save button.
Step 10: Tap or select Connect to This Network on the following screen.
Step 11: The connection appears to fail, requiring registration. Tap or select Next.
Step 12: The SwitchBru DNS homepage now appears on your screen. Here’s the actual address you can access on any device:
As shown below, you can tap or select the Continue to Google button to load a basic Google search page. You’ll also see a column to the left with six categories:
- Google: Search the internet
- Enter URL: Enter an address
- News: The latest news from SwitchBru
- Feedback: Take SwitchBru’s survey to provide feedback about the latest web browsing experience
- Useful Links: Add custom links and access general and Switch-related links.
- Settings: Change the theme (white or black), manage notifications, disable ads, and more.
Disconnect the web browser
Now that your Primary DNS is finally rerouted to SwitchBru, you’ll switch to loading the welcome screen each time you utilize that internet connection. To return it back to the original settings and disable the web browser, look at the earlier directions from Step 1 to Step 5. Alternatively, after you arrive at the connection settings screen, use these directions:
Step 6: Scroll down and then click on or select the DNS Settings option. You’ll immediately see a pop-up page open at the bottom of the screen.
Step 7: Hit or pick the Automatic selection.
Step 8: Press the Save button. After you do this, immediately click the OK button to finish off this step and successfully complete the process.
We believe that it’s worth mentioning that if you encounter connection problems using the Automatic setting, you can apply these directions to adjust the primary and secondary DNS numbers using a manual method. For example, here are Google’s DNS addresses:
8.8.8.8 (primary)
8.8.4.4 (secondary)
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