How to Chat on a Nintendo DS

DS game systems are not simply for playing games.

You've exhausted your games on your DS and now you need something else to do. Luckily, the DS and DS Lite feature "PictoChat." The "PictoChat" feature on your DS is for chatting and drawing with your friends or other DS users close by. The feature is easily accessed and acts much like a regular chat room.

Instructions

1. Turn off your DS. Remove any games in the DS game slot or the GameBoy Advance slot.

2. Flip the power switch into the "on" position. Let the DS power up completely.

3. Remove your stylus from the stylus holder on the DS. Tap the touch screen with your stylus when prompted.

4. Wait for the main menu to appear. Tap the "PictoChat" option located on the left side of the screen.

5. Open up a chat room once "PictoChat" starts up. Tap "Join" with your stylus or hit the "A" button. DS users have four chat room options.

6. Tap a letter on the keyboard with your stylus. The keyboard is located on the touch screen. Continue hitting letters with your stylus until you fully type out your message.

7. Tap the "Send" button once your message is complete. The message appears on the top DS screen.

Tips & Warnings

• "PictoChat" is only available between DS users within a 65-foot range.

• Draw pictures in "PictoChat" with the stylus. Draw your picture in the drawing area of the lower screen. Hit send once your drawing is complete.

• Scroll through previous messages in any DS chat room by hitting the "L" and "R" buttons or by tapping the "Scroll" button with your stylus.

• Never send personal information or photos of yourself to strangers while using "PictoChat."

References

• Nintendo: PictoChat
• Nintendo: Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite and Wireless Communication - Privacy Questions

Resources

• Neo Seeker: PictoChat