Amiibo are all the rage among Nintendo fans. These collectible cards and figures not only look cool, but they also unlock exclusive content for Switch games. However, not every player knows how they work, be it technically or practically. Fortunately, we’re here to help. Here’s how to use amiibo cards and figures on the Nintendo Switch, plus an overview of how their NFC functions work.
How to use amiibo cards and figures on the Switch
To use amiibo cards or figures on the Nintendo Switch, simply press the amiibo against the device’s NFC reader. The NFC chip will be scanned, unlocking unique bonuses like characters, items, and quests.
The most common question about using amiibo involves figuring out where the device’s NFC scanner is. The spot where you need to place the amiibo’s NFC chip depends on which peripheral you’re using:
- On the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite, the amiibo scanner is within the right-hand joystick
- On the Pro Controller, the amiibo scanner is underneath the Switch logo in the middle of the controller
There is another catch, of course: Different games have different methods of using amiibo. Some games allow you to scan amiibo at any time, while others require you to first open an amiibo menu. This depends entirely on which game you’re playing, but it wouldn’t hurt just to try scanning to see what happens. If you’re wondering which amiibo are compatible with your games, there’s also a handy amiibo compatibility page on the Nintendo website.
While the bonuses offered by amiibo cards and figures will differ, the process to scan them remains the same. All you need to do is press the amiibo against the NFC reader on the right Switch Joy-Con or Pro Controller. For more details about these unique collectibles, check out our guide about reusing amiibo, or how to back up and copy amiibo on Android and iOS devices.
