When it comes to gaming, there's never really enough time in a day to do everything that we want. Often, we sneak in as many hours as possible after a long day of school or work, and it's hardly ever enough for what we want to accomplish inside our favorite virtual worlds.

In fact, our gaming time is so important that one of the most annoying things in the world is when the game we have been excitedly waiting for isn't available to play right away. So, how do you make sure that your game downloads even when your Switch is in sleep mode? Let's find out.

What Is Sleep Mode?

Sleep mode is a console setting that preserves your Switch battery life, while allowing for easy start up. It is a great way to prevent battery drainage and make your Nintendo Switch battery last longer.

The Nintendo Switch sleep mode lets you download games while your console is not in use. Sleep mode is ideal for making sure that you never lose out on valuable game time and have it ready to play as soon as you want. However, there are a few conditions that you need to meet.

How to Download a Switch Game on Sleep Mode

Switch on Sleep Mode

To download a Switch game on sleep mode, simply download a game as normal through the Nintendo eShop or through your Nintendo Switch app. Next, avoid opening any games that even remotely connect to the internet to run. Then, allow your Switch to fall asleep on its own to continue downloading.

It's important that you don't manually set your Nintendo Switch console to sleep mode. For this method to work, you must allow your Switch to fall asleep on its own. This is because several users report game downloads stop when they manually put the device into sleep mode.

Aside from this, your Switch has to have at least 20% battery for a download to continue. With this, if you are planning to leave your Switch downloading on sleep mode, it may be better to hook it up to a plug or dock.

To protect your battery health, it's always good to never let drain your Switch battery. If possible, always make sure that it's charged by a little before leaving for an extended period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Switch On Sleep

Here are some frequently asked questions about downloading Switch games on sleep mode.

Will Downloading Switch Games While on Sleep Mode Be Faster?

In general, it is faster to download games using sleep mode. By downloading during sleep mode, your Switch can dedicate its energy towards only the download instead of the other functions it needs to maintain.

However, there are several factors that affect the Switch download speed such as internet connection, distance from the router, and so on. Although, downloading games on sleep mode mean that you don't have to worry about your download stopping, which happens when you're using your Switch for online games while downloading.

Is It Possible to Download Using the Nintendo App While Your Switch Is on Sleep Mode?

Yes. You can download games from your Nintendo eShop through your mobile phone app, and it will download through into Switch on sleep mode. With this, you can even buy games while you're at work and expect it ready for playing when you get home.

Keep Your Switch Ready to Play Every Day

While Switch users who hook their consoles up to TVs don't have to worry about this, leaving your Switch downloading on sleep mode can save you a lot of time and trouble.

If you do leave your Switch on your dock when downloading, consider installing a wired connection using an Ethernet cable with your dock to improve the download speed. Alternatively, it's recommended that you leave your Switch near your router but not directly on top of it to get the best signal, so it downloads as fast as possible.