Nintendo Switch is a fantastic handheld device for playing games on-the-go. However, that also makes it susceptible to getting lost, or even worse, being stolen. So, in case you have lost your Nintendo Switch, here is everything you can do to retrieve it.
How To Track A Lost Or Stolen Nintendo Switch
Unfortunately, Nintendo Switch does not come with a built-in tracking system, like “Find My Device” in Apple products or similar features in Android phones. However, with the steps mentioned below, you can report to the Police with useful information about your device which will in turn help them locate it.
- You’ll need to know the serial number of your Switch. You can locate it on the bottom of the device next to the USB-C port.
- You can also find the serial number on the box that your Nintendo Switch came in. The number is usually located on the bottom of the box.
- Call the Nintendo customer support and let the support executive know that you need help tracking your Nintendo Switch.
- When asked, provide them with your Switch’s serial number. With this, Nintendo customer support will be able to trace when and where the device connected to the internet last.
- With that information, the next step would be to inform the police about the last whereabouts of the device if you suspect your Switch has been actually stolen. Also, let the police know about any distinguishing features (what color the Joy-Cons are, if it was in a carrying case what did it look like, did it have any accessories with it) and the installed games on your Switch.
Meanwhile, remove your payment information in the eShop so that nobody can use it for fraudulent purchases. You can do this by going to your Nintendo account and then selecting the “Shop menu” on the left.
Nintendo Customer Support Telephone Lines
- 1-800-255-3700 (US)
- +44 (0)345 60 50 247 (Europe)
- +61 3 9730 9900 (Australia)
- +81-75-662-9600 (Japan)
- +30-210-685-4220 – CD Media S.E. (Greece, Cyprus, and the Balkans)
Can You Track A Nintendo Switch?
As mentioned above, there’s no native feature in Nintendo’s handheld console that lets users locate the device remotely. If you have a knack for misplacing things, it’s worthwhile to invest in a third-party tracking device like Tile Mate. However, keep in mind that these Bluetooth tracking devices are limited in terms of range. But if all you care about is finding your Switch somewhere tucked in your home, this might prove to be a fantastic purchase.
What To Do If You Can’t Find Your Lost Switch
If you have exhausted all of the options for finding your Switch, here are the safeguards you should take:
- Change the password on your Nintendo Account and any social media accounts such as Facebook or Twitter in case you linked them. Specifically for Twitter, you have to go into your account settings and revoke access from the Switch.
- If you opt for a new Switch, any past eShop purchases can be re-downloaded without any additional charges. However, your game saves that were locally stored on your previous device will be gone. As a rule of thumb, be sure to utilize Nintendo Switch Online’s Save Data Backup feature for supported games.
