How to remap buttons on Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons or the Pro Controller

How To Remap Nintendo Switch Hero (Image credit: iMore)

If you don't like how the buttons are arranged on your Nintendo Switch, you can easily remap the buttons and joysticks on Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons or Pro Controllers. Whether you're making adjustments for comfort or necessity, here's how to remap Switch controller buttons.

Remapping controllers for Nintendo Switch

How to remap Switch controller buttons
How to save and load custom mapping

How to remap Switch controller buttons

From your main Switch menu, select System Settings.
Scroll down to Controllers and Sensors.Source: iMore

How to remap Switch controller buttons step two: scroll down to Controllers and Sensors (Image credit: iMore)

Select Change Button Mapping.
Choose the Joy-Con or Pro Controller you want to edit.Source: iMore

How to remap Switch controller buttons step three: select Change Button Mapping (Image credit: iMore)

How to remap Switch controller buttons: choose the Joy-Con or Pro Controller you want to edit (Image credit: iMore)

Select Change.
Scroll to the control you want to change.Source: iMore

How to remap Switch controller buttons step five: select Change (Image credit: iMore)

How to remap Switch controller buttons step six: scroll to the control you want to change (Image credit: iMore)

Press A.
Choose the new control you want for that button.Source: iMore

How to remap Switch controller buttons step seven: press A (Image credit: iMore)

How to remap Switch controller buttons: choose the new control you want for that button (Image credit: iMore)

To change the joysticks, select Control Stick Settings.
Select the joystick you want to modify.Source: iMore

How to remap Switch controller buttons step nine: select Control Stick Settings to change the joysticks (Image credit: iMore)

How to remap Switch controller buttons step 10: select the joystick you want to modify (Image credit: iMore)

After changing the joystick, press B to back out of this menu.
When you're done making changes, select Done.Source: iMore

How to remap Switch controller buttons step 11: after changing the joystick, press B to back out of the menu (Image credit: iMore)

How to remap Switch controller buttons step 12: select Done when you're done making changes (Image credit: iMore)

Select OK.

How to remap Switch controller buttons step 13: select OK (Image credit: iMore)

How to save and load custom mapping

There are spaces for you to save up to five custom mapping configurations. You will first need to complete the steps above before you're able to save different mapping options.

How to save custom mapping
How to load custom mapping

How to save custom mapping

Once you've customized your buttons or joysticks, select System Settings from the main menu.
Scroll down to Controllers and Sensors.Source: iMore

How to save custom mapping step two: scroll down to Controllers and Sensors (Image credit: iMore)

Select Change Button Mapping.
Choose the Joy-Con or Pro Controller you want to edit.Source: iMore

How to save custom mapping step three: Select Change Button Mapping (Image credit: iMore)

How to save custom mapping step four: Choose the Joy-Con or Pro Controller you want to edit (Image credit: iMore)

Select Save Mapping.
Choose a slot from the five available spaces.Source: iMore

How to save custom mapping step five: select Save Mapping (Image credit: iMore)

How to save custom mapping step six: Choose a slot from the five available spaces (Image credit: iMore)

Select Overwrite.
Select OK. Now your custom mapping has been saved to that slot.Source: iMore

How to save custom mapping step seven: Select Overwrite (Image credit: iMore)

How to save custom mapping step eight: Select OK (Image credit: iMore)

How to load custom mapping

Once you've customized your buttons or joysticks, select System Settings from the main menu.
Scroll down to Controllers and Sensors.Source: iMore

How to load custom mapping step two: Scroll down to Controllers and Sensors (Image credit: iMore)

Select Change Button Mapping.
Choose the Joy-Con or Pro Controller you want to edit.Source: iMore

How to load custom mapping step three: Select Change Button Mapping (Image credit: iMore)

How to load custom mapping step four: choose the Joy-Con or Pro Controller you want to edit (Image credit: iMore)

Select Load Mapping.
Select the slot you want to load.Source: iMore

How to load custom mapping step five: Select Load Mapping (Image credit: iMore)

How to load custom mapping step six: Select the slot you want to load (Image credit: iMore)

Select OK.

How to load custom mapping step seven: select OK (Image credit: iMore)

Now you know how to remap Switch controller buttons or joysticks on your Joy-Cons or Pro Controllers. Have fun playing your games. I hope this button customization allows you to play more comfortably.

Additional Equipment

I love these accessories and have found that they greatly improve my Switch gaming sessions. See if anything catches your eye.

Pro Controller ($60 at Best Buy)

This traditional-looking controller features motion controls, rumble, and NFC capabilities. It works great with either the original Nintendo Switch or the smaller Switch Lite.

Hori compact playstand for Nintendo Switch

Hori Compact Playstand ($13 at Amazon)

There are times when you want to prop up your Switch or Switch Lite without using your hands. I absolutely love this stand and use it every day.

Gimme some space! ($24 at Amazon)

Your Nintendo Switch only has 32GB of internal memory. If you plan on downloading a bunch of games, you're going to want to invest in a quality micro SD card like this one.

Gaming aficionado Rebecca Spear is iMore's dedicated gaming editor with a focus on Nintendo Switch and iOS gaming. You’ll never catch her without her Switch or her iPad Air handy. If you’ve got a question about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or just about any other Nintendo series check out her guides to help you out. Rebecca has written thousands of articles in the last six years including hundreds of extensive gaming guides, previews, and reviews for both Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves checking out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and has her ear to the ground when it comes to covering the next big trend.