How to Send Screenshots of Nintendo Switch to Your Computer or Phone
The latest Nintendo Switch software update, version 11.0.0 , makes it much easier to transfer screenshots and gameplay videos to your smartphone or PC. The new methods are much better than the unintuitive post-social media workaround and then deletion that we’ve been forced to use since the console launched, or the similar cumbersome “find a microSD card reader in a dirty desk drawer” approach . …
How to send Switch screenshots to your smartphone
This first method sends files directly to your smartphone over Wi-Fi, albeit Nintendo style. Nintendo limits uploads to just 10 screenshots or one video at a time, and you need to use two QR codes every time you upload files. This will make large bursts tedious to complete, but it’s better than awkward to post four screenshots to your public Twitter feed, save them, and then delete the tweet every time you want to save the screenshot.
The annoying thing is that Switch disables the screen capture feature while you’re using the transfer tool, so we can’t show you exactly what the new menu looks like, but the steps are simple enough to follow:
- Select the Album icon from the main Switch screen.
- On the album screen, highlight a screenshot or video, then press the A button to display the Share and Edit menu.
- The system will ask how you would like to share your screenshots. Select Send to Smartphone.
- Select This Only to send just one screenshot, or Send Batch to select and send up to ten screenshots.
- A QR code will appear on the switch screen. Scan it using your smartphone’s camera app. Both devices will sync over Wi-Fi.
- A second QR code will now be displayed. Scan this file to send the selected file (s) to your phone.
- Wait for the download page in the viewer app on your phone to open. It may take a while, but the files will download automatically when ready.
- Click “End” on the switch to close the exchange tool.
- Repeat these steps for all screens and videos that you want to transfer.
Note. Do not let your smartphone screen lock or switch go to sleep, as this will interrupt the connection and you will have to start over. (I’ve learned this the hard way.)
How to copy Switch screenshots to your computer
Sending Switch screenshots to a smartphone is cumbersome, especially when compared to the simplicity of the Xbox and PlayStation sharing features. Luckily, you can also copy screenshots and gameplay recordings from your Switch to your computer without any arbitrary transfer restrictions.
- Connect the switch to your computer via USB-C (a USB-C charging dock cable is ideal),
- Open the system settings of the switch, then go to Data Management> Manage Screenshots & Video.
- Scroll down and select Copy to Computer via USB, then wait for your computer to recognize the console.
- On your PC, open the file manager and select Nintendo Switch> Album . Copy and paste the files you want to transfer.
- When you’re done, select “Disconnect” on your switch screen.
Whether you use USB or Wi-Fi methods, the transferred files will not be automatically deleted from your switch. If you are uploading images from Switch Album to free up system memory, you will need to use the console’s data management menu to manually delete the files after copying them to another device.