YouTuber Robotanv figured out a pretty neat hack where he added wireless charging to his Nintendo Switch Lite, and it didn’t really require as much tinkering as you would think. All you really need is a little bit of elbow grease and about USD 14 (RM58.21) worth of added parts.
Robotanv started off by saying that the newly released Nintendo Switch OLED missed out on an opportunity to add something like wireless charging—even though “everyone loves the new screen”. He demonstrated that it was a thing Nintendo could have done easily if they wanted to, by making the Switch Lite Qi-compatible.
“Wireless charging is so commonplace now that the technology is cheap and reliable. Even Apple are doing it, long after I showed them how on my iPhone 4S mod way back in 2012. So why doesn’t the Switch have it, especially the Switch Lite which is all about portability and convenience?” said Robotonv.
According to the YouTube tinkerer, the addition is a “fairly easy upgrade” as all you need is a Qi-wireless charging receiver, soldering wire, and a Nintendo Switch Lite. You’re able to find wireless charging receivers for really cheap on Shopee or Lazada.
Robotonv started by stripping the Qi-wireless receiver’s USB-C connector down to its bare wires, and removing its charging coil from a protective pouch to make it as thin as possible. He was then able to solder the receiver to a couple of easily accessible additional test pads Nintendo had already included for the console’s power pins.
I must advise you to watch his video before deciding that you want to start tinkering your own Switch as a project. While it might be easy enough for an expert tinkerer, it might not be for the beginner as soldering might take a while to master. However, if you plan to try it yourself, some YouTube commenters advised to disconnect the Switch Lite’s rechargeable battery before doing anything.
There were no added modifications needed to fit the Qi receiver into the Switch Lite, as it could just be taped to its back cover. A YouTube commenter asked if taping the receiver to the back of the Switch would mean overheating. But Robotanv replied saying that he “hasn’t noticed any performance issues with the console since the upgrade”.
Robotanv also stated that fully charging the Switch Lite takes about three hours with a fast charging receiver. It will come off the wireless charging pad a little warm afterward, but that also is pretty normal for other devices like smartphones.
As for the Nintendo Switch OLED, their internal make up might be very different from the Switch Lite—so I don’t advise you to tinker on it just yet. And if you do own the OLED version, please make sure that you don’t peel off the integrated screen protector on the device’s screen, either. You can read why here.
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