Three US, Japan, and EU patent publications detail how Nintendo makes the Bluetooth pairing between the Switch 2 console and controller more efficient:
- While NS2 console is in sleep mode, its BT radio 1 remains active
- When user activates NS2 controller, its BT radio broadcasts an advertising packet
- After console radio 1 detects the packet, it a) sends a scan request back to controller radio, and b) wakes up whole console, including console radio 2
- After controller radio receives the request, controller gives user immediate LED/haptic feedback (even though pairing isn’t complete)
- Awake console radio 2 sends a connection request to controller radio, establishing link (img 1 for steps 1-5)
- One shared encryption key is created for all BT radios and wired connections (instead of one key each; img 2)
- Controller IDs itself with a hash based on its GATT; console matches the hash to a pre-stored GATT (skipping GATT discovery; img 3)
- Normal operation begins
[Sidebar] Switch 2 console’s custom Wi-Fi/Bluetooth IC (MediaTek MT3681AEN) is connected to one BT, one Wi-Fi, and one combo antennas. Judging from the patent filing, there are two BT controller modules (not to be confused with game controllers) inside the MediaTek chip.
Source patent applications:
- US20260247122 (Steps 1-5)
- JP2026133904 (Step 6)
- EP4791050 (Step 7)
[Originally posted on 2026-08-25 Pacific Time]
