Games

How to Setup Chat in Splatoon 2

How to set up chat in Splatoon 2 on Nintendo Switch.

Splatoon 2 is here and it’s time to paint the town red, or green, or pink! To be an efficient painting team of squids and humanoids, you’re going to need to communicate with your teammates. However, setting up chat for Nintendo Switch can be a bit complicated. Don’t worry though, because we’ve got you covered!

Keep in mind, the Nintendo Switch app only provides chat audio. The use of a splitter cable may provide both game and chat audio, however this has not been thoroughly tested at this time!

How to Setup Chat in Splatoon 2

It can be a bit involved setting up chat for Splatoon 2, so be prepared to do a bit of fiddling before you can strategize with your teammates. There are a few things you will need before you can setup chat in Splatoon 2:

  • A Nintendo Switch,
  • Splatoon 2,
  • An Android or iOS smart device,
  • A Nintendo Account linked to your Nintendo Switch console and your smart device,
  • Nintendo Switch Online App, and
  • A Turtle Beach headset – such as the RECON series!

Now that you have everything you need, you can begin the chat setup.

Step 1: Download Nintendo Switch Online App

Head to the Apple Store or Google Play Store and download the Nintendo Switch Online app. While the service is currently free, there will be a subscription fee for Nintendo Switch Online when it launches in 2018.

Step 2: Log in to the Nintendo Switch Online App

This is fairly simple. Ensure all your details are correct!

Step 3: Connect Your Turtle Beach Headset

Now that the Nintendo Switch Online app is installed, connect your Turtle Beach headset to your smart device to achieve the clearest sound possible.

With all that setup, you can now begin setting up a room so you can chat with your Nintendo Switch friends.

Step 4: Create a Splatoon 2 Chat Room

This next step in setting up chat in Splatoon 2 requires you create a Room using Splatoon 2. Press the X Button to open the Menu, and then select “Lobby” or if you’re planning on joining a Salmon Run, select “Grizzo”.

Scroll down and select “Online Lounge”, then “Create Room”. From the drop-down menu, select the game mode you wish to play, either Private Match, League Battle (pair), or League Battle (team).

You will then need to select “Allow Nintendo Switch friends to join the room with a password”. This is needed if you have friends who aren’t using the Nintendo Switch Online app – meaning you won’t be able to hear them but they can at least still play.

Hit OK to create the room. Once the room is created you will need to select, “Send Notification to My Smart Device” in order to proceed to the next step.

Step 5: Complete Smart Device Pairing

Now you will need to finish connecting the Splatoon 2 Room to your smart device’s Nintendo Switch Online app.

Select the Notification you received on your smart device or open the Nintendo Switch Online app and select the room you’ve created. Now that you’re in the Chat Room you can send out invites to your friends!

Step 6: Invite Your Friends

Select which invite method you want to use to send an invitation to your friend:

  • Social Network Friend: This sends a URL through a social media platform that your friend can open on their own smart device in order to join your lounge.
  • Nintendo Switch Friend: This method sends a notification to the smart device of your friend who also uses the Nintendo Switch Online app.
  • User You Played With: The final method sends a notification the smart device of someone who you just played who is also using the Nintendo Switch Online app.

After the other Splatoon 2 player or friend has accepted your invitation, they will join your Online Lounge in Splatoon 2 and you will be able to chat and strategize with them through the Nintendo Switch Online app!

While the process to setup a chat in Splatoon 2 might seem a bit complicated at first, once you’ve done it a couple of times it’ll far easier.

Unfortunately, you will need to have your phone screen on at all times for the chat to remain connected. This means you can’t lock your phone to save battery. We suggest turning the screen brightness down low and closing all other Apps in order to get the most battery life out of each play time. Alternatively, you can keep your phone plugged into a charger while you play Splatoon 2 and chat with your friends.