How to Find a Lost Nintendo Switch: Complete Guide

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Follow these steps to find a missing Nintendo Switch

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: March 22, 2025 Fact Checked

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Using Joy-Cons

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Retrace Your Steps

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Contact Local Law Enforcement

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Video

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Tips

Has your Nintendo Switch gone missing? Unfortunately, the Switch doesn't have a GPS like your cell phone, so you can't use apps like Find My or Google Find My Device to locate it. In this article, we go over a couple of ways to find your Switch, but ultimately if you can't find it, you may have to report the item missing to local authorities. Read on to learn more.

What to Do If Your Switch is Lost

If you have a pair of Joy-Cons connected to the device, you can use them to locate your Switch by pairing them and accessing the quick menu to adjust the volume, which will make a sound. Otherwise, you'll need to report your Switch stolen to law enforcement.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Joy-Cons

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1
Grab a spare pair of Joy-Cons that are connected to the Switch. This method only works if you have a second pair of Joy-Cons synced with the lost Nintendo Switch.
- This method will also only work if the Switch is turned on or in sleep mode.
If the Switch is nearby, this will cause it to wake up out of sleep mode.

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Watch to see if the Joy-Cons connect. If they do, continue to the next step. If not, repeat steps 2 and 3 until the Joy-Cons connect.
This will open the quick menu on your Switch.
This will move the cursor to the volume settings in the quick menu.
6
Push the joystick left and right. This will increase and decrease the volume on the Switch, which will cause it to make a noise. This noise will help you locate your Switch.^{[1]
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- Note: The noise that your Switch makes when adjusting the volume is pretty faint. You'll need to listen closely to hear the sound, and you may not hear it if your Switch is buried under some blankets or stuck between the couch cushions.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Retrace Your Steps

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1
Try to remember the last place you used your Switch. If you're sure your Switch is lost in the house but you're not able to locate it with your Joy-Cons, try to retrace your steps. Check any places that you're sure you used your Switch (such as the living room or your bedroom).
- If anyone else in your home uses your Switch, check with them to see if they know where the device is or if they used it last.
- If you use your Switch in the car, check your vehicle or your purse/backpack for the device.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Contact Local Law Enforcement

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If you think your Switch has been stolen or you've misplaced it in a public place, contact local police to file a report. You will need the Switch's serial number and a description of the device. You may also be asked for proof of ownership, which Nintendo is not able to provide.^{[2]
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Tips

Since the Switch doesn't have any GPS or tracking capabilities, Nintendo won't be able to help you locate your device.

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If you misplace your Switch often, consider attaching a Bluetooth tracker to it (such as an AirTag or Tile tracker). It will allow you to track your Switch's location using the Find My app (on Apple devices, if you're using an AirTag) or the tracking app for the model of tracker that you have.

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