PSA: Switch 2's Screen Comes With A Pre-Applied Film Layer, Don't Peel It Off

Soooo..... I already bought my screen protectors. Do I put this on TOP of the film....?

That’s pretty smart, and also a good thing you can still add a screen protector without having to peel the film layer off. Some smart thinking with the Switch OLED.

@WhiteTrashGuy I may have mentioned this at the start of my comment already, but answer your question, it can be placed on top of the film without even having to remove it.

@WhiteTrashGuy Yes, apply screen protector as normal. Doesn't impact the screen or that little film at all. The caveat is to be careful in the event you have to replace said protector for any reason down the road

@WhiteTrashGuy I would, that's what I did with my OLED. Can't even tell it's there. Especially since their protector isn't like "replaceable" since it's a manufacturers protector.

All else fails, go check out Jerry Rig Everything's video when it comes out, or even check out his OLED review right now. He puts the tech through it's paces.

Thanks everyone! I have the Galaxy Flip Z and love the protective film that it came with (using it now, lol). Never got the OLED as I was waiting for the inevitable S2 or PRO. 3 DAYS TO GO!!!!

I suppose with a screen protector, if you scratch it, you can replace it, so this protective film probably does not replace a screen protector. That said, if Nintendo are adding a layer to the screen, why not make it a screen protector too?

@obijuankanoobie irrelevant "like" alert. It's like being in Clueless

It's just a standard safety feature

Put a screen protector on my day 1 switch and forgot about it. But kind of feel like I don’t really need one this time. The point of a screen protector is that if you get a scratch or crack you can remove it and the screen is fine. But in this case it seems likely the film will also come off. What then?

I've got a hardened screen protector ready to install as soon as my Switch 2 is delivered.

@WhiteTrashGuy Don't listen to them. It goes underneath the film layer.

@AussieMcBucket
LOL

@BenAV I literally fit my hardened screen protector as soon as I get my new device to avoid dust particles get stuck underneath.

So is it basically a pre applied screen protector?

I never buy those cause it's almost impossible to put one on any device with a screen without getting some little spec of dust or tiny hair trapped underneath it before it's applied.
I'm a little OCD when it comes to that and if i saw one little piece of something that wasn't supposed to be there I'd freak out and ripp it back off. Drives me crazy! Same if i see one nick or scratch on the screen.

mmm peel. peel like banana for donky kong

@WhiteTrashGuy the same question for me... Put on the og or pull it of ?

@JohnnyMind
I don’t even think there’s a major instance of glass scattering on a mobile device causing such an issue or harm that would justify such mandatory out of the box protection and spooking people not to remove the plastic film two times in a row now, despite what this article says these films are almost entirely used on foldable screen type phones.

I read "Do not peel it off" with Egon Spengler's voice, a la "Don't cross the streams."

I dropping both my sony mp3 player and sony xperia phone in the same week i got them. They had a similar film where i could see the cracked corners but they would stay in place.

Forever docked.

Fixed.

Hmm, I don't know. Samsung told me not to remove the protective film from the inner display on my Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Fast forward 2 years later, I think the screen looks more bright and vibrant without the film. Swiping and tapping feels much smoother and more precise without the plastic film covering my screen.

I wonder if it will be the same with Switch 2. I guess I'll find out on Thursday!

@Necrophanis The instructions say to not pull them off. So don't. Very simple. You can damage the screen by doing so and your warranty is void.

@sanderev simple and logical response. Thanks 😊

yes,it's very Good that there's such a protection

@Necrophanis I am just trying to stop the "I pulled the screen protector off, and now my screen is damaged and Nintendo doesn't want to fix it (for free). Nintendo is evil!" posts before they happen.

A bit weird Nintendo is getting a glass display. I would think plastic LCD:s was the common practice. It does seem to be of a higher quality-range then the OG Switch LCD, it looks completely black when turned off, just like the Switch Oled, while the OG LCD Switch is gray when turned off.

So you still apply your screen protector on top of this film.. I'm sweating already having to apply my screen protector and this just makes me a whole lot more nervous, I have a disability and fumble a lot/struggle with my coordination so anything like this just makes matters worse.

Another day, another weird thing from nintendo. thats what i call consistency... So is the screen scratch resistant like an iPhone oder does the film layer scratch easily? If its like on an iPhone or iPad, nobody needs a screen protector. If its plastic, everybody needs a glass screen protector. I have one on my Switch 1 and it still looks like new.

So... any guess what bad thing we here about the Switch 2 tomorrow?

Is thid the ZFold !?

@DTfearTheBEARD with the newer folds removing it is less problematic.
with the first ones, taking it off would immediately destroy your screen.

@BenAV The best tip I ever read for applying a screen protector is to do it in a bathroom, even better if you can run a hot shower before hand.

The steam grabs all the dust in the air and drops it to the floor giving you some time to apply a screenproector dust free.

I've been doing this since the Switch and not had any issues yet touch wood

@BenAV I’ve had my OLED since release. Never applied a screen protector and the screen has no scratches. So I mean, it can’t be THAT easily scratchable.

OK, time out here. Are they talking about the plastic film that comes on all new screens and is clearly designed to be easily peeled off before use, or is there another film underneath that’s harder to remove? I’d always assumed the latter.

Did the OLED have this as well? I just put a temper glass over it. I already have mine ordered to do so one I get the Switch 2.

@LastFootnote They said it to protects the screen, I don't see it as a peel off plastic protector.

@Freek Forever undocked. Crap.

I would never have even noticed. I never used my Switch undocked and I'll need never use the Switch 2 undocked.

Has anyone encountered the screen protector that comes with the official Switch 2 case? I've never successfully managed to apply one to a device without at least a speck or two of dust getting in there — apparently you need to be inside a NASA-level atmospheric vacuum with the dexterity of a nanobot surgeon and have to get it perfect on the first attempt.

I'm getting the switch 2 at launch but am breaking it down to see the chips etc so hopefully I can put it back together ok

Still need to get a tempered glass screen protector (and replace the one on my V2 switch).

@Dhaladog Try one of those screen protectors on Amazon that come with huge applicator trays to align and apply the protector like Spigen etc. I haven’t used one, but it seems like it should work. Also don’t worry too much, as in like a month you’ll forget it’s there anyhow.

@WhiteTrashGuy no. Peel the film off.

@WhiteTrashGuy i have a oled switch and put a glass screen protector on it. Outs so good to do it

Yeah this isn’t a screen protector. It’s just to prevent the person from getting hurt from a cracked screen. These don’t conflict with screen protectors at all. Lot of phones and other portable devices has these.

Good thing I didnt have to pay $15 CAD for this info…

They say not to take it off so im not taking it off.

Hmm.. I'm trying to think back to when I got my OLED and if I even noticed the flim at all, or peeled it off, not knowing... hindsight not mattering at all, at this point, but still.

@Andee I haven't, but I can't imagine it not being a frustratingly basic film that will catch everything while not going on exactly right. The GameStop I preordered from is even giving Pro a screen protector if they get a protection plan that I imagine is the same thing.

I've got a skin issue that makes putting these things on a nightmare under those circumstances, unless I really cover up like I'm moving nuclear material. But I've really come to love anything that has a guided frame around it and all you have to do is hold and swipe a few times. It's made the process a lot easier. I recommend finding one of those and trying that. It has kept the debris at almost none at all for me.

@RubyCarbuncle You've meantioned 2 that didn't have screen protectors ever, if memory serves, and were built to last. The smaller screens also factor into that longevity -smaller targets for breakage. OG Switches have proven to be a weird lot where damage, because it's practically all screen, became commonplace. Good on you for avoiding that, but the average player, who I'd assume is below a certain age also, isn't likely to even be as careful, let alone as lucky

You should remove it if Nintendo want to charge you to replace a scratched screen, in case it's just the film that's marked. I did this with my Switch OLED that I sent for repair, but rejected the quote. Even though I pointed out it was probably just the film that was scratched, they wanted about 150 quid. I took the film off and put a protector on myself for a few £s. That was a couple of years ago, and it's still pristine.

Do you put your screen protector on top of it?

@WhiteTrashGuy Article says not to peel it off, so go ahead and peel it off first.

@Alpha008 only if you want to void the warranty! You have to put your screen protector NEXT to it.

@cedarhyped

I've already bought a screen protector, just working myself up into a fearful state over having to apply it.

I have always peeled off these things, never knew you were supposed to keep them on