How to Download Apps on the Nintendo Switch

Download Article
Download Article

This wikiHow teaches you how to download apps on the Nintendo Switch. Apps are available in the Nintendo eShop. Right now, there's not a whole lot of apps available for download, but hopefully more will be added soon.

Steps

Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-1.jpg\/aid10269267-v4-728px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The power button is on the top-left of the NIntendo Switch. It's the button that has a circle with a line through it.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-2.jpg\/aid10269267-v4-728px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    When you power on the Nintendo Switch, a news feed displays. Press "A" to continue to the Home screen.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-03.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-03.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/dc\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-03.jpg\/aid10269267-v4-728px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-03.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Nintendo eShop is the orange icon that resembles a shopping bag.
    • You must have an internet connection in order to access the Nintendo eShop. Read "How to Connect a Nintendo Switch to WiFi" to learn how to connect your Nintendo Switch to the internet.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-04.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-04.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a8\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-04.jpg\/aid10269267-v4-728px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-04.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You need to have a Nintendo account in order to access the eShop. Enter your Nintendo account password and select "Ok" or press the "+" button to log in.
    • If you don't have a Nintendo account, select Create Account and follow the instructions.
    • If you have not linked your Nintendo account to your Nintendo Switch select Sign In And Link and follow the instructions to link your Nintendo account to your Nintendo Switch.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-05.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-05.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-05.jpg\/aid10269267-v4-728px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-05.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's the first option in the sidebar of the Nintendo eShop. This displays a search bar you can use to search for apps.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-06.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-06.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/ba\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-06.jpg\/aid10269267-v4-728px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-06.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    To search for an app, select the search bar, use the keyboard to type the name of the app and then select "Search" in the keyboard, or press the "+" button on the right joy-con controller.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-07.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-07.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-07.jpg\/aid10269267-v4-728px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-07.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    All apps that match your search are listed to the right under "Items". Select the app to go to the information page for the app.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-08.jpg\/v4-460px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-08.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-08.jpg\/aid10269267-v4-728px-Download-Apps-on-the-Nintendo-Switch-Step-08.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's to the right in the information page next to the screen shots. This starts downloading the app. You can check the progress of the download on the Home screen of the Nintendo Switch.
    • If the app has a purchase price, select Proceed to Purchase and select a payment method. Read "How to Download Games on the Nintendo Switch" to learn more about how to download paid software for the Nintendo Switch.
    9. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to Hack Your Nintendo Switch and Install Games
      An Easy Guide to Connecting a Switch Pro Controller to a PC
      How to Connect an Xbox Controller to Switch
      Connecting a Switch to a TV Without a Dock: How-to (with pictures)
      2 Quick Tricks to Restart Animal Crossing: New Horizons
      How to
      Play with 2 Players on the Nintendo Switch
      How to
      Use Gameshark Codes on Visualboy Advance
      How to Get Max FPS on Your Nintendo Switch
      3 Simple Ways to Connect Your Switch to Hotel Wi-Fi
      Complete Guide to Building Bridges in AC: New Horizons
      10 Solutions to Fix a Nintendo Switch Dock That Isn't Working
      7 Simple Ways to Fix Nintendo Switch Not Connecting to TV
      How to Install Homebrew on Wii U
      Finding & Unlocking Brewster & The Roost In ACNH
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Select the Nintendo eShop and log in to your Nintendo account.
      2. Select Search .
      3. Type the name of an app and select Search .
      4. Select the app in the search results.
      5. Select Download .

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 60,308 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement