How to Use a VPN on a Nintendo Switch

We’re seeing a resurgence of handheld gaming devices thanks in part to the Nintendo Switch. It offers the same convenience of on-the-go gaming as its ancestors – from the Game Boy to the Nintendo DS – while adding a bunch of new features. One of those new features? Internet connectivity.

That’s great, because it lets you play online multiplayers and use video streaming apps like Hulu and YouTube. But internet connectivity comes with a lot of privacy risks. That’s why we always recommend using a VPN on any device you connect online.

The bad news is, Nintendo Switch doesn’t support VPNs natively. You can’t install a VPN, and you can’t download a VPN app.

The good news is, we know a couple of great ways to get around this limitation. Read on, and in no time you’ll be playing more games and watching more videos than ever before.

Using Your Windows Device as a Virtual Router

Another useful option is to use your PC or laptop as a hotspot and route your Switch through that hotspot. Basically, your hotspot device becomes a virtual router. Because you’re using a computer though, instead of your router, you’ll be able to pull up your VPN app and make adjustments anytime you need to.

Here’s how to do it.

1. Choose a VPN. You might want to consider one of our best VPNs for Windows devices.
2. Sign up for a subscription to the VPN.
3. Download the VPN onto your computer and install the software.
4. Log in to the VPN and choose a server.
5. Once you’re connected to the VPN, navigate to Settings and Network Connections.
6. Select Mobile Hotspot and toggle the switch to On. For even more safety, click on the Edit button. Then, give your hotspot a name and a password so no one else can access it.
7. Click on Ethernet and select Change Adapter Options.
8. You should see your VPN listed. Right-click on it and choose the Properties tab.
9. In the Properties tab, choose Allow Other Network Users to Connect.
10.  In the list of Network Connections choose your Wi-Fi hotspot.

Once you’ve connected your computer to a VPN and turned your computer into a hotspot, all you need to do is direct your Nintendo Switch to connect to that hotspot.

It’s also possible to turn your Windows device into a virtual router using an Ethernet cord. Here’s how to do that:

1. Connect your Switch to your computer using your Ethernet cord.
2. Follow instructions one through five above.
3. Instead of selecting Hotspot under Advanced Network Settings, choose Adapter Settings.
4. Right-click on your VPN’s icon and choose Edit.

5. Click on the Sharing tab and select Allow Other Network Users to Connect Through This Computer’s Internet Connection.
6. In the Home Networking Connection drop-down menu, choose Ethernet.
7. Click OK.

Using Your Mac Device as a Virtual Router

You can turn your Mac into a virtual router as well. You’ll need your Ethernet cord for sure this time, though, since you can’t send and receive from a hotspot at the same time on Macs.

1. Choose a VPN.
2. Subscribe to the VPN and install the software on your computer.
3. Choose a server and log in.
4. Connect one end of your Ethernet cord to your computer.
5. On your Mac, navigate to System Settings.
6. In the Search box, type ‘Sharing’.
7. Click the lowercase ‘i’ for ‘Internet Sharing’.
8. Click the ‘Internet Sharing’ to On.
9. Next, under Share Your Connection choose Wi-Fi.
10. In the ‘To devices using’, make sure you toggle on the device you are connecting to.
11. Launch your VPN’s app and connect to the server you want.
12. Plug the other end of your Ethernet cord into your PlayStation’s Ethernet port.
13. Turn on the Switch.
14. Navigate to the Home menu.
15. Choose Internet and then Internet Settings.
16. Your Switch should automatically search for available networks. Choose your computer as the network.
17. If your network requires a password, you’ll need to enter it.
18. Press OK.

You can also use this method in reverse. That is, you can connect your computer to your router with the Ethernet cord and your computer to the Switch via Wi-Fi. To do this, simply reverse your choices in steps eight and nine.

The downside of using a virtual router setup is that you’d be hauling your laptop with you every time you want to connect your Nintendo Switch to a VPN. But at least you can use it on-the-go, unlike a VPN router. That said, expect slower speeds when connecting to a laptop working as a virtual router.

» Read about: Using a VPN on the PS5

Choosing the Right VPN for Your Nintendo Switch

Choosing the right VPN can be tricky. Obviously, you want one that can get you around geo-restrictions so you can access content that’s only available in certain locations. Beyond that, you’ll want to consider factors such as security, features, speed, price, and customer service. For a more detailed list of what to look for, you can consult our complete guide to VPNs. Alternatively, you could simply take a look at some of our thoroughly researched best lists, such as our list of the best VPNs for streaming, our list of the best VPNs for online gaming, or our list of the best free VPNs.

Why Use a VPN With Nintendo Switch?

We’ve already discussed how a VPN can enable you to get more gaming and streaming content on your Nintendo Switch. There are other compelling reasons to use a VPN, though.

• Security: The most important reason to use a VPN is because it protects you, particularly if you’re using public Wi-Fi. A VPN protects all your data by sending your internet connection through an encrypted tunnel. That means hackers and spies have no chance to steal your identity.
• Privacy: We know you’ve got nothing to hide. That doesn’t mean, though, that you want someone looking over your shoulder while you’re online. Your internet provider, for example, can see your browsing activity and history. You’re also at risk of getting hacked when your browsing data is exposed. And of course, the government might be watching your every move. VPNs encrypt your traffic so that none of those can track you.
• Throttling: Another great feature of VPNs is that they prevent your ISP from throttling your internet connection. Many internet providers use this to control how much bandwidth a user uses, or to penalize activities they frown upon such as torrenting. And the way it works is that they throttle the speed of certain IP addresses. Since VPNs keep your IP address anonymous, you might be able to circumvent such throttling practices.
• Gaming Speeds: The key to a great gaming experience is low latency. The faster your ping rate, the smoother your gameplay. When compared to ISPs, VPNs use a more direct route for transmitting data packets. That means less latency.

Recap

The bottom line: It would be much simpler to stay protected and access more content if Nintendo just offered some VPN apps you could download with the touch of a button. It doesn’t look like that’s likely to happen any time soon. In the meantime, the guides on this page offer a few convenient workarounds.

So if you have a Nintendo Switch, you should definitely look into running a VPN so that you can access more content like Hulu and YouTube TV, games, and much more.

» Multiple consoles: VPN installation on the Xbox