Why You Shouldn't Remove the Nintendo Switch 2 Screen Film
The film applied to the Nintendo Switch 2 screen at the factory is not just for shipping, and Nintendo urges owners to leave it on. It keeps glass shards contained if the screen breaks.
Nintendo has warned users since before launch not to peel off the film pre-installed on the screen of its Switch 2 gaming console. The console reached the market in mid-2025, and a little over a year later the advice matters for owners who paid a considerable sum for the device.
What the film is for
Although it is often assumed to be a shipping cover, the film has a different job. Nintendo describes it as an anti-scattering adhesive film. Its main purpose is to keep glass shards from flying about if the screen is smashed. It is part of the console's hardware, and removing it leaves the device in serious danger.
Taking it off is difficult anyway, since it takes considerable force. The source treats that as a clue that it is meant to stay in place.
Price
The base console originally cost $450, and a bundle with the game Mario Kart World cost $500. The standard price, even for the base edition, has since risen to $500. Rival consoles, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, sit in a similar price range.
Extra protection
To guard the screen against scratches and cosmetic damage, a separate protector can be bought. Nintendo sells an inexpensive one made by HORI, and many third-party versions are available. Tempered glass protectors cost slightly more, though Engadget considers this one of the more reasonably priced parts of the console's accessory range.
Nintendo's advice is to leave the factory film on and, for added protection, put a tempered glass screen protector on top.
