How to take a screenshot on your Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch Breath of the Wild (Image credit: iMore)

Jump to:

Take screenshots with Joy-Cons
Take screenshots with Pro Controllers
View your Album
Filter your Album
Copy select captures to microSD cards
Copy all captures to microSD cards
Delete select captures
Delete all captures from system memory
Delete all captures from a microSD card

You're roaming through the beautiful landscape of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (which is one of the best Nintendo Switch games you can buy) and you come across a breathtaking scene. So what are you going to do? Take a screenshot on your Nintendo Switch, of course! Whether you take screen captures of your progress, cool game visuals, or would like to save an image for later—it's a great way to share some of your favorite in-game memories. Here's a guide on taking all the screenshots you want and managing them in your photo album on the Nintendo Switch menu. Let's get started!

How to take a screenshot on Nintendo Switch with the Joy-Con Controllers

Nintendo Switch Screenshot Button (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / iMore)

The Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers have a dedicated screenshot button, which makes capturing a screenshot or video a one step process. The square button is located on the left Joy-Con, and it's the closest to the bottom of the controller (see picture below).

Once you have pressed the button, you'll hear a camera shutter sound, and a notification in the top left corner of your screen will say "Capture Taken." If you hold it down for a few seconds, it will take a 30-second video clip. For more information on screenshots and video captures, check out our guide on how to record and edit video gameplay on Nintendo Switch. If you want to stream your Switch gameplay on Twitch, then you'll need a capture card.

How to take a screenshot on Nintendo Switch with the Pro Controller or other traditional controllers

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Screen Shot Button (Image credit: iMore)

If you're a fan of the slightly larger and more conventional Pro Controller, you can still take screenshots by pressing one button. The square button is located just left of center on the Pro Controller right above the directional pad and underneath the "-" button (see picture below).

Just like with the Joy-Con Controllers, you'll hear a camera shutter sound and see the "Capture Taken" notification in the top left corner of the screen. If you hold it down for a few seconds, it will take a 30-second video clip. If you want to become a streamer, we can show you how to stream Switch gameplay on Twitch.

How to view your screenshots and videos on Nintendo Switch

Acnh Christmas Cards (Image credit: iMore)

All of your screenshots and videos, whether they are saved to the system memory or a microSD card, can be found by selecting the Album icon from the Switch's main menu.

How to filter your Album by videos or screenshots only

Now that you have two different media types in your Album folder, you can filter the types to make it easier to find what you're looking for.

Select the Album button on your Home screen on Nintendo Switch.
Select Filter or press the Y button.Source: iMore and Rebecca Spear / iMore

Nintendo Switch Y Button (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / iMore)

Select which filter you want to use. You can filter media types by the following:
- Screenshots Only
- Videos Only
- System Memory
- microSD Card
- Media from a specific game
- Other (like system screenshots)

Nintendo Switch Screenshot Filter Options (Image credit: iMore)

If you want to start your search over, you can clear the filter by selecting Clear Filter or pressing the B button.

How to copy a screenshot or video to a microSD card on Nintendo Switch

If you have a screenshot saved to your system memory that you would like to copy onto your microSD card, you can do so in the Album menu.

Select the Album icon from the Switch's main menu.
Select the screenshot or video you want to copy.Source: iMore

Nintendo Switch Screenshot Album (Image credit: iMore)

Press the A button to get to the Editing and Posting menu.
Select CopySource: iMore

Nintendo Switch Screenshot Press A (Image credit: iMore)

Nintendo Switch Screenshot Copy (Image credit: iMore)

Select Copy again.
Select OK.Source: iMore

Nintendo Switch Screenshot Copy Again (Image credit: iMore)

Nintendo Switch Screenshot Ok (Image credit: iMore)

You'll now have two copies of that particular screenshot or video — one on your system memory and one on your microSD card.

How to copy all screenshots and videos to a microSD card on Nintendo Switch

If you want to transfer all your screenshots from your system memory to your microSD card, you don't have to do it all one at a time! Hallelujah, you can do them all at once in the system settings!

Select the System Settings icon from the Switch's main menu.
Select Data Management from the menu.Source: iMore

Update Nintendo Switch System Settings (Image credit: iMore)

Nintendo Switch Data Management — How to delete all screenshots and videos from the system memory on Nintendo Switch: select data management from the menu (Image credit: iMore)

Select Manage Screenshots and Videos.
Select System Memory.Source: iMore

Nintendo Switch Manage Screenshots And Videos — How to delete all screenshots and videos from a microSD card on Nintendo Switch: select manage screenshots and videos (Image credit: iMore)

Update Nintendo Switch Performing System Memory (Image credit: iMore)

Select Copy All Screenshots and Videos to microSD Card.

Update Nintendo Switch Copy All Video And Screenshots To Microsd Card (Image credit: iMore)

How to delete screenshots and videos on Nintendo Switch

Once you don't need a screenshot or video anymore, you can delete them at any time.

Select the Album icon from the Switch's main menu.
Press the X button.Source: iMore and Rebecca Spear / iMore

Nintendo Switch X Button (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / iMore)

Select all screenshots and videos you want to delete. A green checkmark will appear next to everything you've selected
Select Delete.Source: iMore

Nintendo Switch Delete Screenshots Select Images (Image credit: iMore)

Nintendo Switch Delete Screenshots Delete Menu (Image credit: iMore)

Select Delete again.

Nintendo Switch Delete Screenshots Delete Again Menu (Image credit: iMore)

How to delete all screenshots and videos from the system memory on Nintendo Switch

If you want to delete all your screenshots from your system memory, you don't have to do it all one at a time! Hallelujah, you can do them all at once in the system settings!

Select the System Settings icon from the Switch's main menu.
Select Data Management from the menu.Source: iMore

Select Manage Screenshots and Videos.
Select System Memory.Source: iMore

Select Delete All Screenshots and Videos to microSD Card.

Update Nintendo Switch Delete All Screenshots And Videos From System Memroy (Image credit: iMore)

How to delete all screenshots and videos from a microSD card on Nintendo Switch

If you want to delete all your screenshots and videos from your microSD card, you don't have to do it all one at a time! Hallelujah, you can do them all at once in the system settings!

Select the System Settings icon from the Switch's main menu.
Select Data Management from the menu.Source: iMore

Select Manage Screenshots and Videos.
Select MicroSD Card.Source: iMore

Nintendo Switch Microsd Card (Image credit: iMore)

Select Delete All Screenshots and Videos on microSD Card.

Nintendo Switch Delete All Screenshots And Videos From Microsd Card (Image credit: iMore)

Need to know anything else about screenshots or videos?

Let us know in the comments below if you have any questions about how to do screenshots on Nintendo Switch!

Game capture accessories

If you want to stream your gameplay or capture videos and screenshots more easily, these devices will come in handy.

Elgato Game Capture (Image credit: Elgato)

Elgato HD60 Pro ($170 at Amazon)

This device gets installed directly in a Windows Desktop computer's PCIe slots. It's pretty easy to install as long as you know how to do it.

Elgato Hd60 Game Card (Image credit: Corsair)

Elgato HD60 S ($142 at Amazon)

Instead of installing inside of a computer, you just connect this between your Switch and your computer with HDMI cables, and you'll be able to capture everything that shows up on your Switch's display. You'll definitely want to use some capture software to better edit and control your captures.

Ugreen Hdmi Extension (Image credit: UGREEN)

HDMI cable ($16 at Amazon)

You might find that the HDMI cable that comes with the Elgato HD60 S isn't long enough. That's where an HDMI extension cable like this one will come in handy.

Updated December 2020: Replaced most images and updated steps.

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Luke Filipowicz has been a writer at iMore, covering Apple for nearly a decade now. He writes a lot about Apple Watch and iPad but covers the iPhone and Mac as well. He often describes himself as an "Apple user on a budget" and firmly believes that great technology can be affordable if you know where to look. Luke also heads up the iMore Show — a weekly podcast focusing on Apple news, rumors, and products but likes to have some fun along the way.

Luke knows he spends more time on Twitter than he probably should, so feel free to follow him or give him a shout on social media @LukeFilipowicz.