Nintendo Switch Netflix



Since we all know there are so many funny and interesting games like Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda, Paper Mario, Nintendo Switch is not just to play games. You can also watch videos on Nintendo Switch like Netflix videos.

As the most popular video streaming service, Netflix supports a large number of movies, dramas, series and TV shows on various platforms including Android, iOS, Windows, and multiple streaming devices like Nintendo Switch, Firestick, Roku, and much more.

Currently, apps like YouTube and Hulu are officially available on Nintendo Switch. However, Nintendo Switch does not officially support Netflix but still millions of users already enjoy Netflix on it. That is to say, you can't install Netflix officially from Nintendo e-Shop, for the Netflix application is unavailable on Nintendo e-Shop. If you want to stream Netflix on Nintendo Switch, how to do?

  • You can also watch videos on Nintendo Switch like Netflix videos. As the most popular video streaming service, Netflix supports a large number of movies, dramas, series and TV shows on various platforms including Android, iOS, Windows, and multiple streaming devices like Nintendo Switch, Firestick, Roku, and much more.
  • On June 30, 2021, the Netflix app will close completely for existing users. At that point, no Nintendo console will support Netflix. For now, you’ll just have to enjoy the limited streaming video options that the Switch supports and watch Netflix on another device.

It was cute at launch when Nintendo said they were focusing on games, that should have lasted maybe a few months at most. It is absolutely unacceptable that Netflix isn't on switch yet. Where do I go to complain about this? At the absolute latest it should have been added when the servers for the Wii were killed. Is Netflix on the Nintendo Switch? Netflix, the popular streaming service, is currently not available on the Nintendo Switch. Right now, the only streaming services that work on the Switch are YouTube and Hulu. I know that sucks big time, not being able to stream Netflix on your Nintendo Switch.

Generally speaking, there are two solutions to help users play Netflix movies, TV shows, original series on Nintendo Switch.

Solution 1. Install Netflix on Nintendo Switch

Obviously the Netflix application is unavailable on Nintendo e-Shop. It is impossible to search Netflix and install from Nintendo e-Shop to Nintendo Switch. In order to Get Netflix on Switch, you have to first set up Nintendo Switch on your TV and then install Netflix. Just follow the next steps.

Step 1: Open the back cover of the Nintendo Switch Dock.

Step 2: Connect the USB plug from the Nintendo Switch to the AC adapter and then connect the other end of the AC adapter to a wall outlet.

Step 3: Connect one end of the HDMI cable into the terminal of HDMI OUT and then connect the other end into an HDMI port on your TV.

Step 4: Turn on the TV and choose the correct HDMI input.

Step 5: Launch Nintendo Switch on your TV and open the home menu option.

Step 6: Once the Nintendo Switch is launched on your TV, open it with its login credentials.

Nintendo Switch NetflixNintendo Switch Netflix

Step 7: Go to the home screen and select the e-shop icon.

Nintendo Switch Apps

Step 8: Once the e-shop store is opened, select the box next to the search bar to get the on-screen keyboard.

Step 9: Enter Netflix on the search box and then click OK.

Step 10: Select Netflix application from the search result.

Step 11: Install the Netflix application and sign in with your Netflix ID to enjoy endless streaming.

Solution 2 Watch Netflix Downloads on Nintendo Switch

If you don't like the above complicated process, or you don't have a TV to connect, the solution is a wise choice. Even we can't install Netflix app on Nintendo Switch and watch videos via Netflix app, we can try to download Netflix videos and then upload to Hulu so as to play them on Nintendo Switch.

Kigo Netflix Video Downloader is a plain Netflix video downloading tool to help users download movies, TV shows, original series, documentaries from Netflix to pc and save to MP4 format as to play most popular video player and devices. All the subtitle and audio track will be kept with your downloading. And it supports up to 1080p quality downloading (This depends your subscription plan). Moreover, users can extract and save subtitles from Netflix video as a separate .srt file in order to use it outside of Netflix.

Netflix Video Downloader
  • Support Downloading movies, tv shows and orginal series.
  • All the audio tracks and subtitles will be kept.
  • Suppor up to 1080p HD videos downloading.
  • Fast speed and easy to operate.
Free DownloadPurchase NowNintendo switch netflix app

Firstly, click the above Download button to download the latest version of Kigo Netflix Downloader and install.

Step 1 Launch the Netflix Downloader and search the video to download.

There are three methods to add Netflix videos to download. Just choose one for you.

  • 1. Search with keywords or title to add.
  • 2. Copy and paste video url to add.
  • 3. Drag the video url to the program.

Step 2 Set the audio track and subtitle.

After you click 'Download' icon, it will pop up a new window. Click 'Advanced Download' to set the output quality, subtitle and audio track.

If you don't use Kigo Netflix Downloader ever, you need to login with your Netflix account to go on downloading.

Nintendo Switch Netflix Reddit

Step 3 Start downloading.

After the settings, just click the 'Download' button to start your Netflix downloading.

Step 4 Play Netflix Downloads on Nintendo Switch with Plex.

After the download, you can find the downloaded files from the library - show in finder. To play the downloaded Netflix videos successfully, just choose the Plex Media Server to play your downloaded videos on Nintendo Switch.

Step 1. Open the official website of Plex Media Server. Press the Download button to download it on your computer. Then install it properly according to the prompts from the software.

Step 2. Launch the Plex Media Server, import the downloaded Netflix videos.

Step 3. Type the URL of your Plex in the address bar of Nintendo Switch's web browser, you will find the videos in Plex, then just click on the video you want to start playing.

Conclusion

Whaever solution you choose, just to watch Netflix on Nintendo Switch is the first target. Why not to take a try and play Netflix videos on your Nintendo Switch.

Why does the Nintendo Switch still not have Netflix? Honestly, this has troubled switch gamers like you and me for a while now as for such popular handheld device not to have Netflix is just crazy honestly. I set it myself to answer exactly this question and see if Nintendo has given any answers.

Nintendo has never given a concrete answer on exactly why the Nintendo Switch still doesn’t have Netflix but likely it comes from Nintendo wanting the Switch to exclusively be a gaming machine, not an entertainment console.

Back in June 2018 at a Q&A panel in Silicon Valley the Netflix Vice President of Device partnerships Scott Mirer simply said ‘video is not a priority for Nintendo’.

I believe Nintendo took a lot of lessons at the failure of the Wii U by focussing strongly on first-party games first and foremost and this was proved by the excellent first-party launch games of Breath Of The Wild & Mario Odyssey being released very early in the Switch’s lifestyle.

Nintendo just doesn’t care much about Netflix’s support as much as it hurts avid fans who would love to use the Switch For Netflix on the go.

Nintendo Switch Netflix Release Date

However, Scott Mirer did not rule out Netflix compatibility in the near future

“Whether that changes over time, we have a great relationship with them and look at the possibility of the Switch. We each have opportunity cost around that, but at some point, it might happen.

Scott Mirer Netflix Vice President of Device partnerships

So ‘might happen’ must not be the most optimistic quote but clearly both Nintendo about Netflix are huge companies and clearly there is mutual interest in having Netflix on the platform. So figures crossed we can get Netflix on the Switch in the near future.

Although the Switch does have other streaming services available and even have Netflix available in the past. Nintendo has a strange history of not complying with the industry norms even when it seems beneficial for them and there are many reasons for this.

What Streaming Services Does The Nintendo Switch Have?

Very strangely out of the dozens and dozens of streaming applications the only two that the Nintendo Switch has access for are Hulu & Youtube

Nintendo switch netflix 2018

Hulu

Hulu is a very popular streaming service and is a direct competitor to Netflix. Click here for a complete guide on how to install Hulu for your Nintendo switch and get started in minutes.

Click the video down below to get an easy tutorial on how to download Hulu for your Nintendo Switch

Youtube

Google has finally released an official Youtube app for the Nintendo switch which is available on the Nintendo eShop for you to download. Unfortunately, even with a Youtube premium subscription, you cannot download videos to watch offline so you need an active wi-fi connection to use the application. This is a big shame as the Switch’s big advantage is its portability and you cannot take advantage of this.

The YouTube app is not optimised for touch display so you must utilise the right Joy-con stick to navigate the Youtube menu’s rather than swiping the display itself which is a big shame.

Look at the video below to see a tour guide of the Switch so you can more easily navigate the menus

Does The Nintendo Switch Have The Capability Of Streaming Netflix?

Without a doubt, the Nintendo Switch possess the graphical power to stream Netflix, whilst docked the Nintendo Switch runs at 720p resolution with up to 60 frames per second depending on the game being played. This increases to 1080p resolution whilst docked in a TV running up to 60 frames per second. Standard HD has a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels known as 720p, so even whilst docked the Switch is capable of running Netflix in HD.

With the Nintendo Switch supporting both Hulu & Youtube support at HD clearly the Nintendo Switch has the graphical power to support Netflix and there is absolutely no reason why porting Netflix over to the Nintendo Switch would be difficult;.

The reason behind why it isn’t supported is more an issue with the company itself rather than computing power complications. However, Nintendo has had Netflix support for quite a while with older consoles.

Nintendo’s History With Netflix

Nintendo Switch did, in fact, have several consoles that were fully compatible with Netflix and these were the last 2 consoles in the generation the Nintendo WII and the Nintendo WII U; which makes it even stranger that Nintendo wouldn’t offer compatibility with Netflix straight when the console released in 2017.

Nintendo Wii

Unfortunately, Nintendo suspended all the Wii’s streaming services back in January 30th 2019, here is a quote from the official Netflix website

2019

“Unfortunately, Nintendo will suspend all video streaming services on Wii – including the Netflix Channel – after January 30, 2019 “

Nintendo Wii U

Fortunately, arguably Nintendo’s biggest recent failure the Nintendo Wii U still has full Netflix support as of writing and honestly I believe the marketing disaster that was the Nintendo Wii U is a BIG reason why till this day the Nintendo Switch still doesn’t have Netflix support which I will discuss later in this blog post. To think that a console released 6 years before the Switch still has more functionality than it’s younger brother is strange but it’s perfectly Nintendo.

Click The Video Below For A Full Tutorial To Watching Netflix On The Wii U

Just Why Is Nintendo Not Taking Video Streaming Seriously?

In an era of media players and streaming devices being available everywhere in your living room which was just unthinkable 8 years ago. Everything from your smart TV the phone in your pocket, your tablet and perhaps in the near distance future your fridge can stream high-quality HD+ video in a matter of seconds. There are NUMEROUS streaming services from Netflix, Hulu, Twitch, HBO Now, ESPN, Spotify etc and Nintendo does not seem to care. Would they benefit financially from taking aboard all of these services? Of course, they would! However, Nintendo values something more integral to their values.

What is it?

It’s their games simple as.

Nintendo games are the most important asset the company has, the only way to play a Mario, Zelda Super smash or Metroid game is played them on a Nintendo console. People buy and continue to buy a Switch JUST for its the capability to play an exclusive I, know this myself as the only reason I bought a switch whilst living in China was that super smash bros ultimate came out! This is proven by Nintendo games barely dropping in price as I write Breath of The World Is STILL $50 on Amazon and it’s a 2-year-old game! When you see the Nintendo certificate standard you know your paying for quality and this is reflected by Nintendo’s attitude towards NetFlix.

So why does the Nintendo Switch still not have Netflix? Because Nintendo simply does not care as you purchase a Nintendo console because you WANT to play an exclusive Nintendo game not stream your favourite NetFlix show or listen to Spotify.

Obviously the choice is intentional as Nintendo know what there doing, the choice allows them to retain artistic integrity with the console as it isn’t trying to compete with the tablet or the more traditional home entertainment console market like the Xbox One or Playstation 4.

Nintendo learned from the failure of the Wii U as despite other marketing failures (such as the name) the console launched with a very poor lineup of exclusives.

Nintendo understood this and tried to get Mario to join Link as soon as possible after the Switches launch. Nintendo as a gaming company has focused solely on gradually improving its library of great quality games, and treating this as a priority above all else Netflix included.

Whilst I genuinely think it’s frustrating how the Switch still doesn’t have Netflix compatibility with its very nature of being a portable device would make it an ideal candidate for a Netflix port.

Can You Watch Netflix On Nintendo Switch

I can also understand Nintendo’s hardline stance on games being it’s absolute priority and straying from the set path always draws criticism from people who do not understand it.