Nintendo Says Don’t Remove It: But We Did Anyway…

If you’ve ever taken a close look at your Nintendo Switch 2, you may have noticed something odd about the screen. It actually comes with a built-in plastic screen protector pre-installed at the factory.

Most people never touch it but what if it gets scratched or starts peeling? Can you remove it and install a better one?

According to Nintendo, you shouldn’t. They specifically recommend against removing the built-in screen protector, warning that it could damage the display or affect the system's durability.

But we decided to put it to the test anyway.

Why Remove the Built-In Protector?

Let’s be honest, the factory-installed screen protector isn't exactly high quality. It’s thin, prone to scratching, and it doesn’t offer the kind of impact protection that a good tempered glass protector can provide. If you’re serious about keeping your Switch in good shape, upgrading the screen protector is a pretty common-sense move.

The concern is that stacking a second protector on top of the built-in one could affect clarity or touchscreen sensitivity. And personally, I don’t like the idea of two screen protectors layered together, it just feels off.

Removing the Factory Protector

So, we went for it. First, we carefully peeled off the built-in plastic layer from the screen. It comes off with a little effort, but take your time to avoid scratching the surface underneath.

Next, we gently pull the plastic layer to fully remove it from the screen.

Lastly, we installed a Spigen tempered glass screen protector using the included mold for alignment. After applying some light pressure, the new protector set in place cleanly.

The Result

Everything worked perfectly. The touchscreen was responsive, the display looked great, and there were no signs of damage from removing the original protector.

So yes, despite what Nintendo advises, you “can” remove the built-in plastic screen protector and replace it with a glass one. Just do it carefully, and make sure you’re using a high-quality replacement.

Final Thoughts

Nintendo's warning is understandable, but in real-world use, replacing the built-in protector with glass is safe, effective, and looks better. Just proceed with caution, use the right tools, and you'll have a Switch that's better protected than ever.

Glass applied, Nintendo defied. See you in the next article!

Video here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/55XB1_Gbtks