How To Turn On Boost Mode (And Why You Might Want To)







Nintendo’s ninth-generation console is packed with features and settings designed to improve the Switch 2’s performance. Although many of those features were included in the console on launch, like the custom integrated Nvidia DLSS processor, another new feature was added through a system software update. That feature is called Handheld Mode Boost.

The Nintendo Switch 2’s Handheld Boost Mode should be self explanatory. When enabled, it boosts your console’s performance while you’re playing in handheld mode, so it operates to the same standard that it would while docked through the TV while running select compatible software. The feature was added with the Switch 2’s 22.0.0 software update, which launched on March 16, 2026.

Handheld Boost Mode is particularly intended to boost your Switch 2’s graphical performance. However, you’ll only be able to see this performance boost while running games released for the console’s predecessor: the original Switch. That means that Switch 2 games like “Pokopia” or “Donkey Kong Bananza” will run exactly the same as they did before. You’re probably only going to make much use of it if you find yourself making use of the Switch 2’s backwards compatibility often, and don’t tend to play your console in TV Mode.

How to turn on Handheld Mode Boost for the Nintendo Switch 2

Turning on Handheld Mode Boost just takes a few steps:

  1. Navigate to the Home menu by pressing the Home button on your Joy-Con or Pro Controller.

  2. Open System Settings and scroll until you find the System sub-menu.

  3. Select System, then scroll until you find Nintendo Switch Software Handling.

  4. Select Handheld Mode Boost to toggle the setting on.

Selecting this option turns on Handheld Boost Mode until you turn it off again. When you’re ready to turn it off, you just need to follow the same steps again from the start. If you can’t find the option to switch on Handheld Mode Boost despite following the steps above, you probably need to update your Switch 2 to the newest software update. You can check which system version you’re running, and update your Switch 2 easily all at once:

  1. Navigate to the Home menu.

  2. Open System Settings.

  3. Scroll through the column on the left until you find System, and open it.

  4. Look for the button labelled System Update. Before selecting it, look at the text underneath to see which system version you’re running.

  5. If you need to update your Switch 2, select the System Update button.

Your Switch 2 probably already updates itself automatically, but if for whatever reason that hasn’t happened, this will allow you to push an update to your system manually. Just make sure you’ve saved your game beforehand, as this can close your suspended software and restart your console. You’re also going to need to have a stable internet connection for your console to be able to install updates.

The Switch 2’s Handheld Boost Mode comes with pros and cons

Running your Switch 2 in Handheld Boost Mode definitely has merit if you’re playing a title released for the original Switch in handheld mode. A quick, easy boost to your performance could enhance your gaming experience noticeably — especially if you were drawn to upgrade to the Switch 2 in part because of its improved graphics.

However, the feature isn’t totally without its detractions. Beside the fact that it won’t impact the performance of Switch 2 software, it can also drain your battery more quickly. At the best of times, the Switch 2’s battery life only tends to last for somewhere between two and six-and-a-half hours on a single charge. So unless you have a mobile power bank nearby to extend your Switch 2’s battery life, you may wish to tread carefully while using Handheld Boost Mode.

Moreover, running your console in Handheld Boost Mode can also shut off some of its other functionalities. For example, your Switch 2’s touchscreen will be disabled, and your Joy-Con 2 controllers will work like Pro-Controllers. Some instructions you get on-screen or mid-game also might be mismatched with the mode you’re playing in. These factors won’t necessarily be dealbreakers for you — particularly considering that the touchscreen isn’t used often anyway, for instance — but it is worth keeping them in mind in case they’re important to you, or for running a specific game.





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Michelin is a French multinational company that many consumers consider to be one of the most satisfying major tire brands. This firm makes several tire models that offer comfort, performance, all-terrain prowess, and everything in between — including cutting-edge products like the $42,000-per-set Michelin Pilot Sport PAX that it developed specifically for the Bugatti Veyron. Aside from its own tires, Michelin also owns other tire brands that you might be familiar with, including BFGoodrich, Achilles, and Corsa.

While tires are what Michelin is known for, the company has put its name to more than the rubber that wraps around your car’s rims. In fact, the company sells several other products that aren’t tires. So, we’re listing a few Michelin-branded items that you can buy online and in retail stores. While they might not all be made of rubber or even related to vehicles, these tools and accessories can come in handy when keeping your car — and even yourself — in good shape.

Michelin tire inflator

Since Michelin is primarily known for its tires, it makes sense for the company to sell a Michelin-branded tire inflator as well. That way, if you get a flat on one of the Michelin tires on your car or want to regularly top up your car’s tire pressure to maintain optimum performance, you can use a Michelin-branded pump to fill up your tires. The company actually sells several types of inflators on its Amazon page, but it only offers a single motorized unit — the Michelin Micro Tyre Inflator, which is available on Amazon for $98.99.

This little device is only slightly wider than an iPhone 17 and weighs about 400 grams, or 14 ounces. This means it’s easy to store in your car and to move to whichever tire needs topping up. More importantly, it takes power from a 12-volt socket, allowing you to run it using your car’s battery. It also has a USB port for charging your phone (or any other USB device) in case of an emergency.

Some users say that the device is slow, taking about 12 minutes to bring a tire from 10 to 32 PSI, but that’s not unexpected given its small size. Still, it should be good enough for regular weekly maintenance if you know your car’s proper tire pressure, or in case of an emergency. Its biggest downside is that you need a power source to run it, but having a dead battery and a flat tire simultaneously is likely a rare occurrence in many modern cars.

Michelin mini fridge

Taking a road trip during the summer can get you thirsty, and there’s no better way to quench that thirst than by drinking a cool can of soda (or your beverage of choice). If you want to ensure that you’ll always have a cold drink ready while you’re driving on the freeway, Michelin’s mini fridge will help you with that. This nifty little refrigerator is available on Amazon for just $99.99 and can be connected to either 110V AC or 12V DC power, ensuring that it will work on both your desk and in your car.

The mini fridge measures 6.9 x 9.45 x 10 inches (17.5 x 24 x 25.4 cm), meaning it can easily fit on a garage shelf or office desk. It should also be small enough to put on the floor of your car. Despite that relatively small size, it’s large enough to fit six 350-ml cans or four 500-ml bottles, and it will keep these items at a chilly 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 degrees Celsius. It also has an LED light on the door, so it can double as a night light if necessary.

Aside from keeping your drinks (and other food items) below room temperature, it also has a few other creature comforts. These include a removable shelf and door basket for flexibility and easy cleaning, as well as a retractable carry handle and a self-locking door to make transportation easier.

Michelin car floor mats

Heavy-duty car floor mats are often made from rubber for durability and water resistance, and since Michelin is in the business of rubber, it makes sense for the company to offer exactly that. So, if you want to protect your vehicle’s floor from dirt, dust, and mud, the company can help you with its Michelin all-weather car floor mats. This four-piece package is available on Amazon for $49.99 and comes in either black or tan.

The surface of these floor mats is specially designed to trap debris, snow, and water, preventing them from ruining the carpet on your vehicle. The mats have a cleat backing that grips your car’s floor and prevents them from slipping. The front row mats also come with what Michelin calls a Gripclip Retention System, allowing them to clip into your vehicle’s safety clips and adding even more reassurance that they won’t accidentally slip while you’re driving and pose a hazard to your safety.

These mats are universal and will work in most vehicles. However, they’re also easy to customize: If you find them a bit too large for the footwell of your tiny hatchback, you can use a pair of scissors to trim the edges for a perfect fit.

Michelin Stealth Ultra wiper blades

While Michelin’s Stealth Ultra wiper blades aren’t generally considered among the best windshield wipers, they appear to be a pretty good choice given their four-star rating on Amazon. These wipers cost $49.99 and are available in various size combinations for all sorts of cars. This ensures that no matter what vehicle you’re driving, you can probably find a set that will fit your needs.

These Michelin wipers are curved to conform to the shape of your windscreen for a clean, streak-free wipe. The company’s Amazon listing claims that these are designed to “withstand rain, wind, snow, mud, dust, or any other debris that might hamper your windshield’s visibility.” While you might think that windshield wipers are pretty simple items, and that you can just purchase any generic wipers off the internet, you must remember that they’re essential so that you have the best visibility possible during inclement weather. So, for your safety, consider investing in a set from a reputable brand like Michelin.

Michelin work boots

Michelin is known for making rubber tires to put on your car’s “feet,” but did you know it also makes shoes for the driver’s feet? The company makes sports & outdoor footwear, as well as shoes for work and safety. For this example, we have the Michelin HydroEdge Steel Toe waterproof work boot, listed for $210 on Amazon and at Georgia Boot. This shoe is available in U.S. sizes from 7.5 up to 14, ensuring that no matter what size you wear, you can get a Michelin work boot for yourself.

As the name suggests, this pair of shoes has steel toes to protect your feet from accidental impacts and is fully waterproof to help keep your feet dry, even in supposedly severe conditions. It also meets ASTM F2413 standards for electrical protection, meaning it has fully insulating soles to protect you from electrical hazards at work. Michelin also added what it calls an Advanced Rear Suspension system to its heel, ensuring proper shock absorption when you walk.





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