You’re sitting on the couch, your Nintendo Switch is in your hands, and you just finished a brutal boss fight in Elden Ring or maybe a relaxing session of Animal Crossing. Your eyes are tired. You want to pivot. Naturally, you think, "Can I get Netflix on my Switch?" It seems like a no-brainer. The device has a gorgeous screen—especially if you spent the extra cash on the OLED model—and a kickstand that practically begs for a movie marathon.
But then you open the eShop. You search. Nothing.
It feels weird, doesn't it? We are living in 2026, and almost every piece of plastic with a screen and a Wi-Fi chip can run Netflix. Your fridge probably runs Netflix. Your smart toaster might. Yet, the most popular handheld gaming console on the planet remains a strange island where the world’s biggest streaming service is nowhere to be found.
The short answer is no
Let’s be blunt. You cannot officially download or stream Netflix on the Nintendo Switch. There is no app in the Nintendo eShop. There hasn't been one since the console launched in 2017, and despite a decade of rumors, neither Nintendo nor Netflix has budged.
It’s frustrating.
You’ve got a 7-inch OLED display just sitting there. It’s perfect for Stranger Things. Instead, if you want to watch something on your Switch, your options are hilariously limited. You can get YouTube. You can get Hulu (if you're in the US). You can even get Crunchyroll or Pokémon TV. But Netflix? It’s the glaring omission that refuses to go away.
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Why won't Nintendo let us have nice things?
People love to blame Nintendo for being "old school" or "out of touch." There’s some truth to that, honestly. Nintendo has always been a "games-first" company. When the Switch was being designed, the Wii U had just flopped hard. Nintendo was desperate to prove that the Switch was a serious gaming machine, not a confused tablet-tablet hybrid. They wanted every marketing dollar focused on Breath of the Wild and Mario Odyssey.
By the time the Switch became a global phenomenon, the "games-first" philosophy had hardened into a corporate identity.
But there’s a more technical side to this. It’s not just Nintendo being stubborn. It’s about the "pie." Every time an app sits on a platform, there are negotiations about data sharing, revenue splits, and maintenance. Former Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aimé hinted in several interviews over the years that while the company isn't inherently "anti-Netflix," their priority is to make the Switch a "world-class gaming device."
Basically, they don't think you bought a Switch to watch The Crown. They think you bought it to catch 'em all.
The Netflix side of the coin
Netflix isn't exactly hurting for users. They are on every phone, tablet, and smart TV. Developing and maintaining a specialized app for the Switch’s unique hardware—which uses an aging Nvidia Tegra X1 chip—requires resources. If Netflix doesn't see a massive financial upside to being on the Switch, they aren't going to beg Nintendo for a spot.
It’s a stalemate. Two giants standing in a room, looking at each other, and both deciding they’re fine with the status quo.
The "Hacker" way (And why you probably shouldn't do it)
If you spend five minutes on Reddit, you’ll find people claiming they watch Netflix on their Switch every day. They aren't lying. But they aren't using the Switch OS, either.
There is a way. It’s called Android on Switch.
Because the Switch uses an Nvidia Tegra chip, it’s essentially a high-powered Android tablet in disguise. Tech-savvy users have figured out how to "jailbreak" or "mod" their consoles to run a version of LineageOS (Android). Once you do that, your Switch thinks it’s a tablet. You can go to the Google Play Store, download the Netflix app, and watch to your heart's content.
Wait. Don't go grab your SD card yet.
This comes with massive, scary caveats.
- The Ban Hammer: Nintendo is notorious for banning consoles that have been modified. If you go online with a modded Switch, you might find yourself permanently locked out of the eShop and online multiplayer. Your $350 console becomes a brick for anything other than offline play.
- Hardware Risk: Only certain older Switch models (mostly those sold before July 2018) are easily exploitable. Newer models and the Switch Lite require a physical "modchip" to be soldered onto the motherboard. If you aren't an expert with a soldering iron, you’re more likely to fry your console than watch Wednesday.
- Battery and Performance: Android wasn't built for the Switch. The battery life is usually worse, and the Joy-Cons can be finicky.
Honestly, just buy a $100 tablet. It’s safer.
What CAN you watch on Switch?
If you’re desperate for a break from Splatoon, you aren't totally out of luck. The eShop does have a small "Media" section.
- YouTube: This is the big one. It’s free, it works great, and it supports the touch screen. It’s actually one of the best ways to use the Switch as a media device.
- Hulu: If you're in the United States, you can download the Hulu app. It’s snappy and supports Live TV.
- Crunchyroll: For the anime fans, this app is actually quite good. It’s probably the best-performing media app on the platform.
- Funimation: Similar to Crunchyroll, though the two have largely merged content libraries recently.
- Pokémon TV: A niche but fun app for watching the Pokémon series.
It’s a weirdly specific list. You can watch Homer Simpson or Naruto, but you can't watch Stranger Things. The logic is non-existent.
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The "Secret" Browser Workaround
Technically, the Switch does have a web browser. Nintendo just hid it. It’s meant for logging into hotel Wi-Fi or linking social media accounts. You can access it by messing with your DNS settings (setting your Primary DNS to 045.055.142.122), which redirects you to a "SwitchBrowse" page.
But here’s the kicker: Netflix still won't work. Netflix requires specific DRM (Digital Rights Management) "handshakes" to stream video. The hidden Switch browser doesn't have the necessary hooks to decode Netflix’s video stream. You’ll just get an error code. You might get some other video sites to load, but the experience is janky, slow, and generally not worth the effort.
Is the "Switch 2" our only hope?
We’ve been hearing about the "Switch 2" (or whatever Nintendo decides to call their next console) for years. As we move through 2026, the rumors are louder than ever.
If Nintendo wants their next console to be the "everything device" for the modern household, they have to bring back the big streamers. The Wii had Netflix. The Wii U had Netflix. Even the 3DS had a version of it back in the day. The Switch is the weird outlier in Nintendo's history.
There is a high probability that Nintendo is saving these "lifestyle" features for the next hardware launch to make it feel like a massive upgrade. Imagine a new 1080p handheld with 4K docking capabilities and a native Netflix/Disney+/Max suite. That's a selling point.
Actionable steps for the frustrated Switch owner
Since you can't just hit "download" and start streaming, here is what you should actually do if you want the "Switch Experience" for your movies:
- Use your phone as the screen, Switch as the stand: It sounds stupid, but it works. Many Switch cases have a little extra room. Use the Switch's kickstand to prop up the console, and lean your phone against it.
- Download YouTube: If you have movies purchased through Google Play or YouTube, you can watch them on your Switch. Go to the YouTube app, sign in, and go to your "Library" then "Movies & TV." This is the only "official" way to watch Hollywood movies on a Switch.
- Check your TV: If you’re playing in docked mode, your TV or the device plugged into it (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV) almost certainly has Netflix. Switching inputs is faster than trying to hack a console.
- Wait for the Next Gen: Keep an eye on Nintendo’s official announcements. They rarely announce apps through Nintendo Directs, but a new console launch will definitely clarify their stance on multimedia.
The reality is simple: the Switch is a toy. It’s a brilliant, world-class toy, but Nintendo wants it to stay a toy. They don't want to compete with iPad; they want to compete with boredom. Until they change that fundamental philosophy, Netflix remains a ghost in the eShop.
Stop searching the store. It’s not there. Grab your phone or a tablet, and keep the Switch for what it’s best at: crushing your friends in Mario Kart.
Next Steps for You:
If you're still determined to get more out of your console, check your eShop for Hulu or Crunchyroll. If those don't satisfy the itch, consider looking into a dedicated streaming handheld or a cheap tablet that fits in your travel bag alongside your Switch. You'll save yourself the headache of potential bans and the frustration of "DNS hacking" that leads to nowhere.
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Stay updated on the 2026 Nintendo hardware rumors, as the "Switch 2" is expected to address these media gaps to better compete with the Steam Deck and other modern handhelds that handle streaming with ease.