SwitchBuddy: Companion app for Nintendo Switch

SwitchBuddy is a companion app for the Nintendo Switch game console. It makes the process of transferring screenshots & videos easier, has a built-in gallery with intelligent grouping, and lets gamers stay up-to-date on Nintendo-related news.

This app is not affiliated with Nintendo.

Transfer

Users need to scan just the initial QR code that the console presents, which SwitchBuddy uses to connect to the console and load the selected media. Gamers can then transfer everything with a single button tap.

Export options

• iOS: Option to export game captures to Photos library or iCloud Drive.

• Android: Game captures are stored in a dedicated folder in the filesystem.

Integrated camera zoom

Dubbed the "Sofa Mode," the app offers zooming capabilities to quickly scan needed QR codes from the sofa while playing in the Switch's docked mode.

Gallery

Transferred screenshots are also available in the built-in gallery, which intelligently groups them based on the game for quick navigation. Users can also manage these files in the Files app (in iOS version).

Games

SwitchBuddy uses the IGDB game database to power games section. This lets users easily see upcoming games, new releases and more. The games are categorized:

• Featured: Hand-picked games - usually the biggest upcoming releases
• Favorites: Games user has favorited
• Upcoming: Upcoming games for the coming months (usually 50-100)
• New Releases: Past releases, going approx. two months into the past

Game releases are locale aware - the backend server automatically selects the correct release date for each game based on where the user is located.

Deals

SwitchBuddy shows current Nintendo eShop sales in special "Deals" section. In addition most of the games have prices shown on the detail page. These eShop related features are limited to North America and Europe due to technical reasons.

Widgets

Widgets are tied closely with the Games feature. Below is list of currently available widgets.

Countdown widget (iOS 14+)

Favorited games can be displayed in a countdown widgets - perfect to eagerly anticipate new game. These widgets are freely available. Small and medium sizes.

Up Next (iOS 15+)

Displays upcoming favorited games. The soonest release is prominently displayed with cover image and countdown. The rest of games are simpler with name and date of release.

Large size, SwitchBuddy+ subscription required.

Calendar (iOS 15+)

Displays "calendar view" for the current month and shows favorited games on a day of release. This widget also indicates current day.

Large size, SwitchBuddy+ subscription required.

iOS Technologies

Shared with You (iOS 16+)

SwitchBuddy also supports Shared with You integration and all received games links are available via special "Shared with You" section inside this app.

Note that it may be required to enable this feature in device Setttings. (Settings -> Messages -> Shared with You -> toggle SwitchBuddy)

Universal Links support

Any game can be shared as a Universal Link. This URL works across iOS, Android and the web. People without the app installed can view almost the same data in a browser.

News

The News tab offers up-to-date articles & videos from Nintendo-focused websites/channels, and we are continuously expanding the RSS sources that power this feature. Articles are opened via native browser windows for reading best experience.

Pricing

SwitchBuddy contains optional Plus subscription. Currently priced at 18$/year. Subscribing unlocks extra app themes and alternative icons. It also removes limit on number of favorited games (5 in free version).

There is also one-time purchase, currently priced at around 28$.

Promo codes are available upon request.

About the developer

I am Filip Němeček from the Czech Republic.

I have been developing software for close to ten years and, in the last few, primarily focused on iOS and Apple platforms.

I created SwitchBuddy because I was frustrated by the clumsy process of transferring screenshots from Switch to my phone.

Android version was developed by my friend Milan Suchomel.

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