
As people all over the world get their hands on the Switch 2, Nintendo has warned console owners not to remove its protective film layer.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is out now and while most people are clamouring to boot up Mario Kart World, there are always some important steps to bear in mind when getting a new console.
Those who have an original Switch will need to transfer save data over to the new system, while those of a clumsy (or sensible) persuasion might have invested in a protector or case to help avoid any long-term scratches or marks.
However, some panic has emerged following the circulation of the Nintendo Switch 2’s health and safety manual, which refers to a protective film layer already on the screen.
As noted in the manual under the ‘Careful Usage’ section, the console’s 7.9 inch LCD screen is covered with a ‘film layer’ designed to make it shatter-proof.
‘The screen is covered with a film layer designed to prevent fragments scattering in the event of damage,’ the guidelines read. ‘Do not peel it off.’
If you’re worried about the protective film, know this isn’t a new thing. This same warning was in the manual for the Nintendo Switch OLED, which had the same protective layer to stop screen fragments from spreading if it is damaged. As such, it’s not easily removed.
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Perhaps more importantly, this layer doesn’t cancel out the job of an actual screen protector, which is mostly used to prevent dirt or damage from affecting the screen.
Nintendo provides other safety tips for the Switch 2 in the manual, including advising you not to use the console in ‘dusty or smoky areas’ and ‘not to cover the air intakes or vents on the console or the dock to avoid overheating’.
Elsewhere, Nintendo encourages players to ‘charge the built-in batteries at least once every six months’ as if they’re not used for a long period of time, ‘it may become impossible to charge them’. Again, this same advice is in the original Switch manual.
If you’re on the hunt for a dirt and damage screen protector, Nintendo is selling them with a Switch 2 case for £20.99. Alternatively, you can find cheaper third party alternatives on UK retailers like Amazon.
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