Topic: Using fingers on 3DS touch screen

Somehow, my 3DS stylus got lost (it wasn't my fault, btw), and I'm just wondering if it's harmful to the touch screen to touch it with your fingers. I know a lot of people do it, but I've made sure to always use a stylus with my DSi/3DS. I do not have screen protectors on my 3DS. I know smudges will be left no matter what, but it's damage I'm concerned about. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Probably. I'm not comfortable using my fingers on the touch screen usually, but I got a screen protector for my bottom screen so now I can use my fingers conscience-free. So I think the only reason you should use your fingers is if you have a screen protector, otherwise you will probably scratch it.

On a different note, why don't you just buy a couple extra styli? They're really cheap.

I never use my fingers. I don't like greasy smudges and fingerprints all over my screen.
I suppose as long as you don't have long pointy fingernails your fingers will be okay to use.
Just don't start using a tack or something sharp obviously.

You can try it, but you'll probally have a hard time playing games. I tried playing Phantom Hourglass with my finger, not something you want to try.

I thought most people used their fingers unless it was a game/app that demanded any sort of precision. Like with OoT 3D do people ACTUALLY pull out their stylus to use the onscreen buttons? Do people use their stylus to navigate the home menu and eShop? I'll literally only pull out my stylus if it's a game like Phantom Hourglass or Kid Icarus where you need it or if I need to type/draw something......

i'm one of those people that uses the stylus for everything, even for small stuff like the menu's.

As long as I have the time to take out my stylus I will always use it, but I cant imagine reaching out for the stylus when ROB is calling on SF643D, or when I am rushing in a fight on SSFIV3DE, just to name a few examples.

I took out my stylus for everything before I got my screen protector for the bottom screen.

I often use my fingers for stuff like TLoZ's I and II buttons and to change guns in RE:Mercenaries, It's just faster.

Of course, any game that requires any sort of precision is impossible to play like that.

I only use the stylus on the games sometimes if its a game like Phoenix Wright for example I dont even use the touch screen I just use the corresponding button. Plus its fun to use the y button and yell OBJECTION!!!! in the middle of a crowded school yard just to have people look your way and than go back to normal when you tell them you are playing a game.

But back on the subject here as long as you dont have like Freddy Krugar fingers than you should be fine just keep your nails neat and trimmed.

Another option is you can go to a place like Target, where I got mine and they have a case of 5 styluses that also holds 15 game cards and its only like ten dollars.

I do almost all the time. Menus, inventory, and battle commands in Pokemon. Always clean the screen once a week and my hands are always clean when handling the 3DS

....huh?

@TeeJay
I think holding down Y activates voice commands.

My option? Leave my right thumb nail to grow rounded, about 1cm long. Works perfectly fine for me.

What I was getting at was that I don't think you're supposed to say "OBJECTIVE!" Isn't it "OBJECTION!"?

i actually worked very well on the resident evil: revelations demo on resident evil : the mercenaries 3D. alot better than i expected. it would be a great 2nd slidepad alternative until the 2nd slide pad attachment comes.

Oooops yeah your right Tee Jay sorry I am half asleep right now slowing fighting the urge to go to sleep or surf the web some more lol.

This. Espesh the Street Fighter comment.

In some cases, I play a game normally while holding the stylus at the same time (on my DS Lite and DSi). If I need to touch the screen real quick, I can tap it with the stylus I'm already holding. Not a big issue. But a game like Street Fighter might not be beneficial.

I sometimes hold my stylus while playing but not often. I used to do it a lot with Pokemon for some reason, walk around using the buttons and then swap to stylus when a battle started. I guess it depends on the style of game...... kindof a scale of stylus use:

Layton/DS Zelda: stylus
Pokemon: Stylus in hand... sometimes
OoT 3D: no stylus here, fingers on touch screen
Mario Kart: touch screen? Stylus? What are you talking about?

Ugh, I can't stand fingerprints on my systems, I have to use the stylus.