How do the magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers work on Nintendo Switch 2?

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The Joy-Con 2 controllers snap onto the Switch 2 with magnets. No sliding, no rails. Hold them near the console and they click right into place.

Simple to Use

Line up the Joy-Con and it pulls itself onto the console magnetically. There's an audible snap when it locks on. To remove them, press the button on the back of each controller and pull. The button extends a small pin that breaks the magnetic connection.

Fun fact: Nintendo originally designed them without that release button. You'd just pull. But then someone asked "what if a kid just yanks it?" So they added the button and made the magnets extra strong.

Common Concerns

Will magnets mess up the screen? Nope. Nintendo says they tested this thoroughly. No damage to the LCD or any other components.

Can you get pinched? Yeah, this happens. The magnets are strong and there's a tiny gap between the controller and console. Some people have gotten skin caught when attaching. Just be a little careful and you'll be fine.

What about stick drift? The Joy-Con 2 still uses the same type of analog sticks that caused drift problems on the original. Some people hoped magnetic attachment would mean Hall effect sensors, but actually the opposite. The magnets would interfere with that technology. On the plus side, Nintendo still offers free repairs for drift issues.

Cool New Features

Both Joy-Con 2 can work as mice in games that support it. There's a new C button on the right one for GameChat. Battery lasts about 20 hours per controller. And the haptic feedback (HD Rumble 2) feels improved.

Why Magnets Now?

Nintendo actually wanted magnets back in 2017 but the tech wasn't ready. Controllers wobbled. Eight years later, the magnets are strong enough to hold steady during gameplay.