Nintendo Switch console just got the latest update when the company announced the Switch OLED model. New Switch will have a larger 7” screen, better kickstand, and more or less. But, unfortunately, while the device is probably the best mobile gaming experience, it lacks one of the basic functionalities people use in 2021, web browsing. Or at least, the company doesn’t allow users to access the hidden browser.
Nintendo has all prerequisites for Internet browsing with Wi-Fi, enough system performance, and a beautiful OLED screen in October.
How to access Nintendo Switch hidden browser?
Like in any decent tutorial, we start in the Nintendo Switch dashboard, where you should scroll to System Settings. In the Settings menu, choose the Internet tab, and then select Internet Settings.
Your handheld Switch is probably already connected to a local network. However, it would help if you now chose the Wi-Fi connection you’re using.
Now that you’re on the network settings page, select Change Settings. Just below IP Address Settings, you should select DNS Settings. The trick that will lead you to a hidden Nintendo browser starts with changing the DNS setting. The default setting is Automatic, and you will need to change it to Manual.
Under the DNS settings, select the Primary DNS tab and set it to 045.055.142.122 and then click Save. After the pop-up window notifies you, “Settings have been saved,” confirm with ok.
A nifty workaround
The console software will now lead you to the previous screen. Now you should select “Connect to This Network,” and the Switch will try to connect. When you see the message “Registration is required to use this network,” click next.
In the next step, you will see a SwitchBru DNS page, and to access the hidden browser on Nintendo, click on “Continue to Google.” A SwitchBru DNS is an accessible hosted server with options to redirect queries to Google’s public DNS.
You will get a Google search bar, and now you can search the Internet. While you won’t get the most advanced web browser, you can use most pages. Websites with WebGL and Flash might pose a challenge, but HTML 5 like YouTube or even igaming sites like online casino Canada will work.
Bear in mind that Nintendo purposely hides browsers with limited functionality, probably not the most secure way to browse the Internet. It can come in handy browsing on the Switch, but it’s much better for its original purpose, endless gaming.
Back to its original state
After you explore the vastness of the Internet, it’s time to go back to settings. Head to Home Menu and select System Settings. Again select Internet, and click on Internet Settings. Go to your current Wi-Fi connection, and go to Change Settings. Under the DNS Settings, change the now Manual to Automatic. Click on the Home button, and you’re again on the Nintendo Switch console without the browser.
The recently announced Nintendo Switch upgrade did little to nothing in hardware upgrades, so the performance and software remained. You still don’t have an internet browser, and the workaround still works the same.
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