How to Fit NS Silicon Thumbpads on Joy-Con Without Damaging Them

Quick answer

Fit NS Silicon Thumbpads by working from one edge of the Joy-Con stick, not by pulling straight down over the center. Clean the stick first, stretch the silicone lip over one side, then walk the rest of the pad around the rim with your thumb. Stop if the pad twists or bunches; reseat it before use.

NS Silicon Thumbpads are designed to improve the feel of your Switch Joy-Cons, but silicone can tear if you install it the wrong way. The trick is to stretch the pad over the stick edge gradually instead of forcing it down from the top.

This guide walks through a safe fitting process for the NS Silicon Thumbpads - Palm Green, including the checkpoints that tell you the pad is seated correctly. It also covers when to stop and reseat rather than keep pulling.

What you need before you start

You do not need tools for this install. A clean, dry Joy-Con and a little patience are enough. The NS Silicon Thumbpads - Palm Green set includes two Pro Thumbpads, so you can fit one Joy-Con at a time and compare the feel before doing the second.

Work in a well-lit area and keep the Joy-Con detached from the console. That gives you a stable grip and prevents accidental button presses while you stretch the silicone.

• Detach the Joy-Con from the Switch before fitting the pad.
• Keep the silicone away from sharp tools or fingernails that can nick the edge.

Clean the stick and check the pad

Wipe the Joy-Con stick with a dry, lint-free cloth to remove skin oils or dust. Silicone grips best on a clean surface, and any grit trapped under the pad can cause it to shift during play.

Look at the NS Silicon Thumbpad before you stretch it. The 2nd-generation pads are shaped for full-range motion and a tactile feel that reduces strain in longer sessions. If the pad is folded or inverted, straighten it first.

• Do not use water or cleaning sprays directly on the Joy-Con stick.
• If the pad has been stored in a cold room, let it reach room temperature so the silicone is more flexible.

Seat the first edge, then work around the rim

Hook one edge of the silicone lip over the side of the Joy-Con stick. Use your thumb to hold that edge in place while your other thumb stretches the opposite side upward and over the rim. Do not pull the center of the pad down over the top of the stick.

Once the first edge is on, walk the remaining lip around the stick a little at a time. The pad should sit flat against the top of the stick with no raised folds. If you see a twist, lift that section and reseat it before continuing.

• Common mistake: pulling the pad straight down over the center, which can tear the silicone or leave it bunched.
• Checkpoint: the pad edge should be even all the way around the stick, not higher on one side.

Test movement and adjust if needed

After the pad is seated, rotate the stick through its full range in a slow circle. The NS Silicon Thumbpads are designed for full-range motion, so the stick should reach its edges without the pad rubbing the Joy-Con shell or popping off.

If the pad feels loose or rotates too easily, lift one edge and reseat it. A correctly fitted pad stays in place during normal play and gives a consistent tactile feel across both Joy-Cons.

• Do not force the stick past its normal range to test the pad.
• If the pad keeps slipping, remove it, clean the stick again, and refit.

Step-by-step fitting process

1. Detach and clean the Joy-Con: Remove the Joy-Con from the Switch and wipe the stick with a dry, lint-free cloth to remove oils and dust. Checkpoint: the stick surface is dry and free of visible grit before you stretch the silicone.
2. Straighten the NS Silicon Thumbpad: Inspect the pad for folds or inversion and let it reach room temperature if it was stored cold. Checkpoint: the silicone is flat and flexible, not stiff or creased.
3. Hook one edge over the stick: Stretch one side of the silicone lip over the edge of the Joy-Con stick and hold it there with your thumb. Common mistake: pulling the pad straight down over the center, which can tear it.
4. Walk the lip around the rim: Work the remaining silicone around the stick a little at a time until the pad sits flat on top. Checkpoint: the edge is even all the way around with no raised folds.
5. Reseat any twists: If you see a twist or high spot, lift that section and lay it back down before continuing. Common mistake: leaving a twist in place and hoping it settles during play.
6. Test full-range motion: Rotate the stick slowly through a full circle and check that the pad does not rub the shell or pop off. Checkpoint: the stick reaches its edges smoothly with the pad staying put.
7. Repeat on the second Joy-Con: Fit the second Pro Thumbpad the same way so both sticks feel consistent. If the pad slips, remove it, clean the stick again, and refit.

Product facts

• NS Silicon Thumbpads - Palm Green: This set includes our 2nd Generation Thumbpads and two Pro Thumbpads in Palm Green. You get a matched pair for both Joy-Cons, so you can fit one at a time and compare the feel before doing the second.
• NS Silicon Thumbpads - Palm Green: Our 2nd-gen pads offer full-range motion and have a nice tactile feel that reduces strain for longer gaming sessions. That makes correct seating important: a bunched or twisted pad can interfere with the full range of motion the pads are designed to allow.

Fitting NS Silicon Thumbpads is a low-risk job when you stretch from the edge instead of forcing the pad down over the center. Clean the stick, seat one edge at a time, and test full-range motion before you play. If a pad twists or slips, reseat it rather than pulling harder - the silicone will last longer and feel more consistent.