Share MacBook Ethernet connection with Nintendo Switch via USB

Question

I have a MacBook that is connected to the Internet via an Ethernet-to-USB adapter. I am already successfully sharing this connection with an iPhone via the Sharing panel in System Preferences, per the instructions here.

What I'd like to do is also share this connection with a Nintendo Switch that is connected to the MacBook via USB. Is this possible?

I've tried enabling the "To computers using: USB 10/100/1000 LAN" selection, but that doesn't seem to work. I wonder if there is something else I need to do or troubleshoot to get this working.

Answer 1

Is the Nintendo Switch already connected to the MacBook? How?

Do you have more than one USB to Ethernet adapter? If you don't then you will likely need more.

The Nintendo Switch is not a general purpose computer and so has very limited support for devices plugged in by USB. It will support many USB to Ethernet adapters, so the easiest way to get a network between the two is to use USB to Ethernet adapters on both the MacBook and Nintendo Switch and connect them by an Ethernet cable. An Ethernet crossover cable might be necessary but most Ethernet adapters can use the more common straight through cables in cases like this too.

This means your MacBook will have two USB to Ethernet adapters, one to where you get your internet, and the other connected to the Nintendo. You will have to set internet sharing to share from one to the other.

It might be cheaper and easier to use some kind of Ethernet switch, hub, or access point instead. Without knowing the situation you are in this might not be possible.

Answer 2

You have selected USB 10/100/1000 LAN for sharing the internet from as well as to other computers. This will not work. You need to select the proper device in the to section. As mentioned by @MacGuffin, the Nintendo Switch might not support the connection to your Mac.