How to Capture Gameplay Video on Nintendo Switch

In this guide, we will learn: How to Capture Gameplay Video on Nintendo Switch – guide 2023

So, let’s begin!

To capture gameplay video on Nintendo Switch, you will need to have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, which is a subscription-based service that allows you to access various features such as online gameplay, cloud saves, and exclusive offers. Once you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, follow these steps to capture gameplay video on your Nintendo Switch:

1. Make sure your Nintendo Switch console is updated to the latest software version.
2. While playing the game you want to capture, press and hold the capture button on your Nintendo Switch controller. The capture button is located on the left Joy-Con controller, and it has a square with a circle around it icon.
3. The last 30 seconds of gameplay footage will be saved to your Nintendo Switch gallery. You can access your gallery by going to the home menu and selecting “Album.”
4. To save the video to your device, select the video you want to save, then select “Trim” to edit the clip if necessary. Once you’re satisfied with the clip, select “Export” to save the video to your device’s storage.

Alternatively, if you want to capture longer gameplay footage, you can use a video capture card that connects your Nintendo Switch to your computer. You can then use software such as OBS or Elgato Game Capture to record and edit your gameplay footage.

How to Record Video Without a Capture Card

Recording video without a capture card on Nintendo Switch requires using the built-in video capture function of the console. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Ensure your Nintendo Switch is updated to the latest version of the software. The video capture feature was introduced in version 4.0.0.
2. Open the game you want to record and start playing.
3. When you are ready to start recording, press and hold the Capture button located on the left Joy-Con controller. The Capture button is the square button with a circle inside it.
4. The console will capture the previous 30 seconds of gameplay footage. You can continue to hold down the Capture button to keep recording for up to the next 30 seconds.
5. To view your captured footage, go to the Album on the Nintendo Switch home menu. You can edit and trim the footage in the Album, but you cannot export or save the video directly to an external device.

Note: The built-in video capture feature is limited to recording short clips of up to 30 seconds at a time, and it does not provide the same level of control or quality as a dedicated capture card. If you want to record longer videos with higher quality, you will need to use a capture card.

How to Record Gameplay Video With a Capture Card

To record gameplay video with a capture card on Nintendo Switch, you will need a capture card device that is compatible with the Nintendo Switch and a software program to record and edit your gameplay footage. Here are the general steps to follow:

1. Install the capture card device: Depending on the capture card you have, you will need to install the device into your computer or connect it to your laptop using a USB cable. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specific installation steps.
2. Connect the capture card to your Nintendo Switch: Use an HDMI cable to connect your Nintendo Switch to the input of your capture card. Then, use another HDMI cable to connect the output of your capture card to your TV or monitor.
3. Open the recording software: Once the capture card is installed and connected, you will need to open the recording software that came with your capture card or download and install a third-party software such as OBS or Elgato Game Capture.
4. Configure the recording settings: In the recording software, select the capture card device as the source for video and audio input. Then, configure the video quality, resolution, and frame rate settings according to your preferences.
5. Start recording: Once the settings are configured, start recording your gameplay footage by pressing the “Record” button in the software. You can also use hotkeys or the capture card’s hardware button to start and stop the recording.
6. Edit and export the footage: After you have finished recording, you can use the software to edit and export your gameplay footage. You can trim the footage, add transitions, and overlay audio tracks to enhance the video’s quality.

Overall, recording gameplay video with a capture card on Nintendo Switch requires a capture card that is compatible with the Nintendo Switch and a software program to record and edit the gameplay footage. It may require some setup and technical knowledge, but it provides high-quality video and audio recordings that can be used for streaming or sharing with others.

How to Transfer Gameplay Videos Saved on Nintendo Switch

If you went with the built-in recording option to capture gameplay, you might be wondering how you can transfer these videos to another device. If you want to send these videos to your smartphone or tablet, you can do this very easily using the transfer function.

1. From the Switch’s home menu, navigate to the Album.
2. Find the video you want to transfer, and select it.

3. Press A to open the menu, and then select Send to Smartphone. You can only send one video at a time to a smart device.

4. Scan the QR code that appears on screen with your smartphone/tablet. You can either use your built-in camera or download an app to do this.

5. Connect to the Wi-Fi network that appears on your device.

6. Scan the second QR code that appears on your Switch screen.
7. Your video should appear on a webpage on your smartphone/tablet. Tap and hold on it to download it.

This is a super quick way to send videos recorded on your Switch to another device. However, if you want to send videos to your computer, you can do this as well. For this method, you’ll just need a USB-C cable so that you can connect your Switch to your PC.

1. On the Switch main screen, select Settings > Data Management.
2. Go to Manage Screenshots and Videos > Copy to a Computer via USB Connection.
3. Connect your USB cable to the Switch, as well as your computer. Make sure on the Switch end, it is connected to the USB-C port at the bottom of the Switch, not the USB ports on the dock.
4. Once connected, select the videos you want to transfer to your computer from your Switch.

If you don’t want to do it this way, you could also alternatively send videos to your computer from your smart device, possibly by uploading to a hosting service such as Dropbox or Google Drive.

How to Trim and Edit Video on the Switch

If you want to edit or trim videos before sending them off, you can do it directly on the Switch. It only takes a few steps from the Switch photo/video album.

1. From the Switch home screen, open the Album.
2. Navigate to the video you want to edit and select Sharing and Editing > Trim.

3. Move the left marker to the point you want the video to begin at, then select Next. Move the next marker to the point you want to video to end at.

4. Select Save, and the new trimmed video will be saved to the Album.

You can also quickly post videos you’ve taken on the Switch by selecting the video you wanted posted, and going to Sharing and Editing > Post. From there you’ll just have to select the social media platform you want to post to.

Get Great Gameplay Videos on the Switch

Thankfully there are some good ways to capture Switch gameplay footage and share it online. Whether you want to take quick, simple videos or capture large amounts of footage, both are possible on the console. The Switch also comes with some great tools for trimming and posting your recorded clips. So no matter how you want to share your video game exploits, there’s a way to do it.