The Nintendo Switch is full of surprises, and it can be used for many different things. Such as watching YouTube, using a calculator, and, of course, playing video games. But did you know that the Nintendo Switch has a hidden internet browser?
You won’t find the internet browser as an app on the eShop or even in the system settings, but it is there. You just have to do a little digging to find it. So if you want to browse the internet on your Nintendo Switch, here’s how you can do it.
Why Would I Want to Browse the Internet on My Nintendo Switch?
It is true that the Nintendo Switch is a gaming device, first and foremost. But while Nintendo’s focus is squarely set on games, there are still many things you didn't know your Switch could do, and browsing the internet is probably one of them. You most likely have access to an internet browser at all times via your mobile device, though, so why would you want another one on the Switch?
While browsing the internet isn’t the first thing you will want to do on your Nintendo Switch, it can be an incredibly handy feature. Triggering an internet browser is essential if you ever want to connect to a public internet connection on your Switch, like airport, hospital, or hotel Wi-Fi.
A similar method is also used to connect to hotel Wi-Fi on your PS5. So while you probably won’t use it often, knowing how to access the Nintendo Switch’s hidden internet browser could prove very useful.
How Do I Open the Internet Browser on My Nintendo Switch?
To open the secret internet browser on your Switch, you will have to do some digging within your system’s settings and change a few things, like the DNS server. The DNS server required to use this hack is provided by SwitchBru and was made solely for the purpose of accessing the internet browser on the Switch.
SwitchBru assures that the service is public, free, and doesn’t collect or store any of your data. But whenever you are changing your DNS server, it is important to note that you do so at your own risk.
To access the hidden internet browser on your Nintendo Switch, follow the instructions below:
- Open your settings by pressing the gear icon on the Switch home screen.
- Scroll down to Internet.
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Select Internet Settings.
- Click on your current Wi-Fi connection or the public hotspot you would like to access and press Change Settings.
- Scroll down to DNS Settings and switch from Automatic to Manual.
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Enter the following code as the Primary DNS: 045.055.142.122, and press + to confirm. Make sure you include the full stops when entering the code.
- Press Save and wait about 10 seconds to be redirected to the internet browser.
- If you haven’t been redirected after 10 seconds or so, head back to the home screen by pressing the home button on your Switch.
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Open the News category by pressing the News icon on the home screen.
- Then press the + button to Find Channels. That will direct you to the browser.
When you’re finished using the internet, head back into your Internet Settings and change the DNS Settings back to Automatic. Once you change the settings back, your Nintendo Switch will revert to its original settings and continue to use the internet in the same way it did before.
Browse to Your Heart’s Content on the Secret Internet Browser on the Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is not made to browse the internet, so it does occasionally struggle to display web pages properly. But the main reason you would need to use this hack is to access public Wi-Fi access points which most often only need your email address or perhaps table number if you are at a restaurant. The browser works great for those purposes.
If you just want to access the hidden Switch browser for the fun of uncovering another one of your console’s secrets, that’s fine too, but you will probably find that you will want to stick to your mobile device for the majority of your online browsing needs.