How to Pair Joy-Con Controllers

Nintendo Switch

The Joy-Con can be paired to the Nintendo Switch console in the following ways:

Joint pairing

Simply attach the Joy-Con controllers to the console.

Button pairing or wireless pairing

1. From the HOME Menu, select Controllers, then Change Grip and Order. While the following screen is displayed, press and hold down the SYNC Button for at least one second on the controller you wish to pair.
   • Once paired, the player LED(s) corresponding to the controller number will remain lit.

     

     Change Grip and Order screen
2. Confirm how the Joy-Con will be held.

   Important

   • By doing the Button Pairing alone, the console will not be able to tell if the Joy-Con will be held as a dual-controller grip, or if the Joy-Con will be held horizontally as individual controllers.
   • To confirm how the Joy-Con will be used, press the L Button/R Buttons as indicated below while on this screen.

   How to Use the Joy-Con	Buttons to Press
   As a dual-controller grip Joy-Con controllers used as a dual-controller grip	L Button (on left Joy-Con) + R Button (on right Joy-Con)
   	ZL Button (on left Joy-Con) + ZR Button (on right Joy-Con)
   As a solo horizontal grip Joy-Con controller used as a solo horizontal grip	SL Button + SR Button on each Joy-Con you wish to use horizontally

USB Connection Pairing

Attach the Joy-Con to the Joy-Con charging grip (sold separately), then connect it to the Nintendo Switch dock with the included USB cable (model No. HAC-010).

Nintendo Switch Lite

1. From the HOME Menu, select Controllers, then Change Grip and Order. While the following screen is displayed, press and hold down the SYNC Button for at least one second on the controller you wish to pair.
   • Once paired, the player LED(s) corresponding to the controller number will remain lit.

     

     Change Grip and Order screen
2. Confirm how the Joy-Con will be held.

   Important

   • By doing the Button Pairing alone, the console will not be able to tell if the Joy-Con will be held as a dual-controller grip, or if the Joy-Con will be held horizontally as individual controllers.
   • To confirm how the Joy-Con will be used, press the L Button/R Buttons as indicated below while on this screen.

   How to Use the Joy-Con	Buttons to Press
   As a dual-controller grip Joy-Con controllers used as a dual-controller grip	L Button (on left Joy-Con) + R Button (on right Joy-Con)
   	ZL Button (on left Joy-Con) + ZR Button (on right Joy-Con)
   As a solo horizontal grip Joy-Con controller used as a solo horizontal grip