Can You Download Discord on Your Nintendo Switch?
No, unlike the PS5, PS4 and Xbox consoles, you cannot download or run Discord natively on the Nintendo Switch. The Switch eShop lacks the Discord app and there is presently no known workaround to directly install it.
However, you‘re not completely out of luck. Read on as we explore solutions for integrating Discord voice chat (running off a separate device) while gaming on your Switch.
Streaming Your Switch Gameplay to Your Discord Server
While the Nintendo Switch doesn‘t support onboard Discord installs, you can broadcast your Switch sessions to be viewed by your friends in a Discord channel. This allows your gameplay streaming and voice chat to be unified within Discord.
Here is a step-by-step guide to live stream your Switch visually and through audio call-in into Discord:
Capture your Switch gameplay using a computer with capture card software like the Elgato HD60 S+ or free OBS Studio. The with the computer video input.
Set up Discord for streaming: In a Discord voice channel on your computer, use the screen share feature to stream the Switch gameplay feed captured through your video software.
Integrate smartphone audio: Direct your smartphone audio into OBS Studio or similar if you wish to capture game audio and overlay your microphone commentary to the stream.
Using this method, your Switch gameplay is transmitted directly within Discord, allowing real-time discussion and reactions in overlay. Gamers like shonianboy on Twitch use solutions like this to entertain audiences with Switch games like Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
However, streaming does require communication latency as gameplay and Discord chat are run off separate devices. Direct cabling also reduces overall portability.
Let‘s look at other ways to utilize voice chat directly through your Nintendo Switch.
Enabling Native Voice Chat On Your Switch Using a Mobile Device
Rather than streaming through a live broadcast, selected Switch games support mobile device pairing for built-in cross-game voice chat.
Popular titles supporting mobile pairing voice chat include:
- Fortnite
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Splatoon 2
- Super Smash Bros Ultimate
This Nintendo Support Article covers getting started. At a high level, you‘ll require:
- Nintendo Switch console
- A mobile device running the Nintendo Switch Online app
- Wired headset connected to the Switch for game audio and microphone pickup
To ensure your mic setup is running properly, run mic checks in the Switch Online mobile app settings. Adjust operating distance and watch for insufficient volume errors.
Wired headset models ideal for mobile paired voice chat include:
| Headset | Price | Rating | Microphone Performance | Discord Compatible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle Beach 700 | $99 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭆ | Clear audio up to 2ft | Yes via Bluetooth |
| Logitech Pro X | $69 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭆ | Omnidirectional pickup | Yes via 3.5mm jack |
Mobile paired voice chat provides direct communication inside games themselves. Just take care that your mobile mic setup is optimized for ideal quality.
Now let‘s examine solutions for simultaneously running Discord chat and Switch gameplay audio feeds…
Listening to Both Discord and Your Switch Games
If gaming while participating in a separate Discord voice channel for communication, you may want to take in both game audio and voice chat audio feeds on one headset.
Some options to output both your Switch gameplay sounds and Discord voice to the same headphones or speakers:
USB Audio Splitter: Attach this small adapter dongle to extract separate feeds from the Switch‘s dock audio out port and computer mic input. Keeps quality intact on one headset/speaker setup. May produce slight sound delay between feeds.
Bluetooth Audio Transmitter: Plug this device into the Switch dock to broadcast sound wirelessly to Bluetooth headphones. Pair headphones to transmitter and PC/phone simultaneously for both audio sources. Watch for potential sync issues.
HDMI Audio Extractor: Connect between dock and display to split game visual signal and audio line-out, freeing the audio for headphones and allowing overlay of voice call. More complex to configure but reduces delays.
Which method you implement depends on your tolerance for hardware wires vs sound latency. Thankfully there are options for absorbing a Switch session along with lively Discord discussion in one listening experience!
The Bottom Line
While joining a Discord voice call directly on your Switch isn‘t possible today, the platform offers pathways for syncing in-game chat, streaming your gameplay into shared servers for reactions, or listening side-by-side with a Discord group call while gaming.
Hopefully this guide gave you some great alternatives and tips! Let‘s continue advocating for Nintendo to enable direct Discord integration options natively on this iconic hybrid portable console.
