Watch YouTube on the Nintendo Switch

You can now watch YouTube videos on the Nintendo Switch. You can view your subscribed channels, search for content, and use your mobile device as a remote.

Download the YouTube app

Download the YouTube app to get started.

Sign in or out of YouTube

1. Go to Sign in.
2. Sign in with your Google Account. If you have more than one Google Account, be sure to select the account you use with YouTube.
3. After signing in, you may see a list of Google identities associated with your account. Be sure to choose the account that is linked to your YouTube channel. If you select a Brand Account that doesn't have a YouTube channel, you won't be able to sign in.

Note: When opening the app, you’ll be asked to select a Nintendo account to use. You can use any Nintendo account to use YouTube.

Learn how to unlink your account from your Nintendo Switch.

Video controls

Explore YouTube with the left joystick or the D-pad on any connected controller. Swiping gestures currently aren’t supported in the YouTube app.

Once you select a video to play, a player control bar will show that allows you to perform the following actions:

• Home: Return to the home screen by tapping B.
• Play : Play or resume your video. You can also tap A.
• Captions : Show the video's closed captions, if available.

When playing a video, select “More Actions” to find more options:

• Subscribe to the channel.
• Rate the video.
• Report the video for violating Community Guidelines.

Note: The screenshot function on the Nintendo Switch is not supported on the YouTube app.

Search for videos

On YouTube’s main menu, press X to search for videos. When searching, press Y to add a space, and B to delete a character.

• Browse videos: As you search, relevant videos will show at the bottom of the screen. To browse the video results, press left or right on the D-pad or left stick.
• Edit your search: Press X again or click the keyboard icon to open the keyboard for typing.

Note: The touchscreen feature works with the Search keyboard when the device is used in handheld mode.

Clear your Watch and search history

To clear watch or search history:

1. Go to Settings .
2. Select Clear watch history or Clear search history.

This action will clear your account’s watch or search history from all devices and your stories watch history.

Nintendo Parental Controls and Sign-in

The Nintendo Switch App has Parental Controls in the console’s system settings. If Parental Controls are turned on, the YouTube app may be locked.

To turn Parental Controls on or off on your Nintendo Switch:

1. Go to System Settings.
2. Select Parental Controls.
3. Select Parental Controls Settings.
4. Select I have the app installed. What’s next? or I don’t have a smart device! and follow the prompts.
5. Select your desired Restriction Level.

For “Pre-Teen” and “Child” Restriction Levels, the Nintendo Switch app is locked. For “Teen” and “Not Restricted”, the app is unlocked.

Note: If you want to turn on Parental Controls but not necessarily for the YouTube app, go to Restriction Level  Custom Settings  Restricted Software.

Pair your mobile device

Use your mobile device as a remote control. You can pair it through m.youtube.com, the YouTube for Android app, or the YouTube iOS app.

Watch purchased content

You can view and watch your purchased content in the Library tab of the YouTube app.

Note: Right now, you can't buy content directly on the device.

Watch 360 videos

You can watch 360-degree videos on your Nintendo Switch. When watching 360 videos, both the left and right joysticks on the attached controller can be used to pan around the video.

Video quality

In handheld mode, the built-in display has a maximum resolution of 720p. In docked mode, the maximum resolution is 1080p.

To change video quality while watching:

1. In the video player, select More .
2. Select Quality .
3. Select your preferred video quality.