New gaming consoles make great gifts, but initial setup can take hours — here's how to update before you gift them

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Living room with Microsoft Xbox Series X (L) and Sony PlayStation 5 home video game consoles alongside a television and soundba — Consoles like the Xbox Series X and PS5 can take a while to complete initial setup.
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If you're gifting a new video game console during the holidays, update it first.
Initial setup on consoles like the PS5, Xbox Series X, or Nintendo Switch can take an hour or more.
Christmas morning is also a peak time for gaming downloads, so updating in advance is a wise choice.

Tons of people will be unwrapping new video game systems this Christmas, but you can help the gamer in your household get a head start on having fun by doing initial setup before you gift them their console.

System updates and digital games on PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch can take hours to download, forcing eager gamers to wait before they can play. Gaming traffic peaks during holidays too, making downloads take even longer on Christmas morning.

If you're a parent, setting up a new console before gifting it also allows you to properly configure accounts, passwords, payment methods, and parental controls. Even if you're giving the console to an adult, connecting the system to the internet for an hour or two to complete first-time setup will make it easier to unpack and start playing immediately.

How to update a new console before you gift it

Insider has separate guides to help you create an account for Nintendo's eShop, PlayStation Network, and Xbox consoles. You can find links to the official setup process for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series systems below. Instructions will also display on screen once you power on each console.

If you're worried about opening the box before gifting a console, you might not have to unwrap the system at all. PlayStation and Xbox consoles allow you to install system updates from a USB drive, so you can download the files to a memory stick in advance and gift the flash drive along with the console. This way your giftee still gets to open the console for the first time.

While any gamer will be happy to receive a PS5, Nintendo Switch, or Xbox Series system for Christmas, you can do them an even bigger favor by updating the new machine in advance. It's both thoughtful, and time saving!