Do Switch 2 joycons always use Bluetooth even in handheld mode?

Hi Alen!

When you attach the Joy-Cons to the Switch 2, it also will charge it. So, at this moment a bluetooth connection with the joy-cons are no longer needed and will turn off to save battery.

When connected, it's physically connected to the Switch 2 and thus it will communicate through the port and not through the wireless communication.

When you disconnect it physically from the Switch 2, it will automatically connect trough bluetooth when it was paired before.

When it's searching for the Switch 2, it will blink (green LED's), so this means it's searching and waiting to connect for the Switch 2, it's using Bluetooth right now.

The first pairing, is through a data cable OR physically connect it to the switch. You can also "ask" the Switch 2 to pair it through Bluetooth if that is what you desires.

Long story short,

• No it's not using bluetooth when physically connected.
• When in wireless it's connected with Bluetooth all the time
• For pairing, you could do it through physically connect them, with a data cable or through bluetooth.

Please let me know if you have any questions! We are happy to help :)