In this guide, I will show you how to find a lost Nintendo switch in your house and the measures you can take so as to ensure you never lose your Nintendo switch again!
When you use any kind of portable electronic device, there is a chance of it being stolen. The Nintendo Switch is a very popular device, and people who have it often take it out with them.
All it takes is a few minutes left alone on a table, and someone could pick it up and take it home. If this has happened to you, you may wonder whether you can track a Nintendo Switch. Continue reading to learn all about what to do if your Switch is stolen.
How-to find a lost nintendo switch in your house?
Unfortunately, you cannot track your Switch on your own. It doesn’t have a feature that resembles Apple’s Find Your Phone. However, there are steps you can take to get information about your Switch that the police can use to help you locate it.
First, you will want to know your serial number. If you have your Switch now, you can find it on the bottom of the Switch next to the USB-C port.
It is also in the System Settings in the menu of the console. Another place you can find it is on the box it came in. If you have the box and your Switch has been stolen, you can find it on the bottom of the box.
If your Switch has been stolen and you don’t have the box or the serial number, you can also try the store where you bought the Switch.
They should have the serial number linked to the purchase. It is important to do what you can to find your serial number if your Switch is stolen.
What to Do with Your Serial Number
The reason having the serial number is so important is that you can call Nintendo customer support. They won’t be able to track your device, but they can see when someone connected to the Internet and the IP address they used.
The IP address tells them what city the device is in. Once you have this information, you can give it to the police who are working on your case. If you haven’t filed a police report yet, now is the time.
You will want to tell the police what the device looks like, any distinguishing features, any games that are with it, and the serial number.
If your Nintendo account is connected to the device, make sure that you deactivate it right away. You don’t want the thief charging games to you on top of stealing your Switch.
Also Read: Is My Switch Patched: Serial List and Mod Instructions!
Can you track a nintendo switch?
The Nintendo Switch doesn’t have any features that allow for straight tracking, which can be frustrating if your Switch has been stolen. However, you can buy an aftermarket tracking option for the Switch from Amazon.
This product is called Tile Mate, and it is a Bluetooth tracker that can locate many different items, including your Switch. It only costs around $20, so it is a simple solution. When you use this device, it directly attaches to your Switch.
You can download the App for iOS or Android, and it can be used with Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, and other smart home options. If your Switch is nearby, you can locate it and play a sound.
If it is further away, you can look on the app and find its most recent location. If someone has your Switch and is still nearby, you can find it using Bluetooth.
If it is further away, they have a feature where you can enlist the help of the Tile network. They will send a notification to users who are within Bluetooth range of your device.
This tracker is a good option because it can give you some peace of mind to know that you have a chance of tracking your Switch if it is stolen.
Can you deactivate a stolen nintendo switch?
Fortunately, you can deactivate your Switch if it has been stolen. You need a Nintendo account, and you can start by signing in. Once you log in, follow these steps:
- Open the Shop Menu
- Click on Deregister Primary Console
- Enter your password, and click on OK
- Next confirm the deactivation by clicking on Deregister
It is important to remember that you can only deactivate your Nintendo Switch one time each year this way. You can deactivate it from the console whenever you need to, but you can only sign onto the website once each year.
How-to make sure that your switch isn’t a stolen item
When you buy a Switch online, you will want to make sure that it isn’t one that has been stolen. Unfortunately, some people do sell stolen goods, so you need to take precautions.
Fortunately, if you have the serial number, you can find out. You should call Nintendo Support to verify that the Switch hasn’t been registered with them as a stolen Switch.
You should also make sure that the serial number matches the serial number on the original packaging. Having two different numbers is a suspicious sign.
Finally, you can call the local police precinct to ask them if anyone has reported a Switch with your serial number as stolen. If it is possible, get the serial number before you buy it.
This shouldn’t be a problem if it is a legitimate sale, and you can save yourself the trouble of buying a stolen Switch. The serial number of the Switch is on the bottom of the box and it is on the bottom of the left side of the console.
These numbers should be the same. If you buy the Switch without the original packaging, then you may not be able to find out, and some people do actually throw away the packaging.
Make sure that the Switch doesn’t have someone’s account saved on it. If it does, ask the seller to deactivate it so that you don’t run into problems. People do sell stolen Switches, but you can take steps to make sure that yours is legitimate.
What to do if you lose a switch game?
If you lose your Switch Game, you won’t be able to track it. If you have played it on your console, your progress will be saved there, but you won’t be able to continue playing until you replace the game cartridge.
After you replace it, you will be able to continue your saved game. If you lose your game cartridge because your Switch is stolen with the game cartridge, you won’t be able to retrieve your progress unless you are subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online.
In that case, your game will be saved in the cloud. If you don’t have this service, you will lose your progress and have to begin all over again when you get a new Switch and game.
Also Read: What to do if your Nintendo Switch Won’t Turn On
Final thoughts
Knowing how to find a lost Nintendo switch in your house is important because the Switch is a popular portable game, but it is also an expensive device, and you have to take precautions so that you don’t lose it or have it stolen.
It doesn’t come with a tracking device, but you should register the serial number with Nintendo as soon as you buy it, and you can get other tracking devices to help you find it if it goes missing.
Make sure that you check the serial number of a Switch before you buy it from a third-party seller because you don’t want to buy a stolen item.
It is important to remember that the serial number is what identifies each Switch, and if you register yours, you have a better chance of recovering it.
