How to play Fortnite on Switch

With the launch of Chapter 5 Season 1, millions of players continue to play Epic Games’ battle royale, so you may want to learn how to play Fortnite on Switch. You’re in luck because, in this guide, we’ll show you what you need to do to download it on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite and how to link your Epic Games account to your Nintendo account.

Before we jump in, we recommend finding out how to turn off parental controls in Fortnite so you can enjoy the game without any restrictions. You can also play on the go by learning how to play Fortnite on Xbox Cloud Gaming instead.

Without wasting any more time, let’s start talking about how to play Fortnite on Nintendo Switch.

Can you play Fortnite on Nintendo Switch?

Yes, you can play Fortnite on the Nintendo Switch. Epic Games made it compatible with Nintendo’s popular handheld console in June 2018, almost a year after the game’s initial launch on consoles and the PC.

Of course, unlike its more powerful console and desktop versions, Fortnite’s Nintendo Switch port has a few glaring limitations to it, including its drastically reduced frame rate and graphical quality. However, if you do want to play it while on the go without spending money on a Steam Deck or a similar console, the Switch edition can still provide an enjoyable portable experience.

How to download Fortnite on Nintendo Switch & Nintendo Switch Lite

As on all platforms, you can play Fortnite on Nintendo Switch completely for free. This is one of the biggest advantages of Epic Games, who design their games to be accessible to everyone.

To play Fortnite for free on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite, all you have to do is download the game from the console’s eShop app. If you are new to the console or are not familiar with Fortnite, you can follow the steps below:

1. Turn on your Nintendo Switch and log in to your account where you want to install Fortnite.
2. Open the eShop app, indicated by an orange bag icon in the main menu.
3. Find Fortnite by either typing Fortnite in the search box or using the categories in the left menu.
4. Click Fortnite and click the “Free Download” button on the right.

So Fortnite will be downloaded on your Nintendo Switch. Depending on your internet speed, the game may take a while to download. Once the process is complete, you’ll see that Fortnite is clickable in the main menu.

That’s it. Now that you have downloaded Epic Games’ legendary Battle Royale game on Switch, it’s time to create the account you need to play.

How to create an Epic Games account on Nintendo Switch

Before you start playing Fortnite on Nintendo Switch, there’s one more thing you need to do. Regardless of which platform you play the game on, you must have an Epic Games account. You will not have the option to create this account through the Switch interface.

To create an Epic Games account, follow the steps below on your computer, phone, or any other platform where you can open an internet browser:

1. Navigate to the Epic Games website.
2. Click the “Sign In” button in the upper right.
3. Click “Sign Up” on the login screen.
4. Create your account by entering the required information, especially a valid e-mail account.
5. After you complete the registration, click on the confirmation link that will be sent to your e-mail address.

That’s it! You now have an account where your progress in all your Epic Games games, especially Fortnite, is saved and stored in the cloud. You can play Fortnite on all platforms through this account.

That covers all you need to know about playing Fortnite on the Nintendo Switch. For more, take a look at our guides on how to make a Fortnite account, how to redeem a Fortnite gift card, and how to get planks fast in LEGO Fortnite.