Quick Links
Setting up a Nintendo Switch account is important if you want to play games, especially with your friends or family. It has many benefits, and you can unlock even more amenities if you purchase a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
You need to follow a few steps to create your account, and it may be a different process depending on a few factors, such as if you need multiple accounts for each family member. Here's everything you need to know about setting up your Nintendo Switch account and how to play games online with other players.
How To Set Up A Nintendo Switch Account
Setting up a Nintendo account is the same process regardless of which Nintendo Switch device you own. Enter the home screen and click the Gear icon on the bottom row of your screen. Once inside the Systems Settings menu, scroll down until you reach the "Users" section. Press "Add User" and select an icon for your new account. The Nintendo Switch will then ask you to create a nickname. This adds a new user, but you still need to create the Nintendo Switch account.
The Nintendo Switch will ask you to link an account, but you need to create one first. Select "Send Account Creation Instructions Via Email," then enter your birth date and email address. Open the new email and select either "An Account For Myself" or "An Account For My Child," depending on which type you need.
Now enter every piece of information that the account set-up asks for, then you'll receive a five-digit code you can use to log in to your account on the Nintendo Switch. You can now use your Nintendo Switch account for anything you need, including purchasing new games in the eShop.
Alternatively you can use the Nintendo Website to create the account if you prefer. The setup process is the same.
How To Transfer User Data From A Nintendo Switch Account To A New Console
Logging in to an existing Nintendo account on a new Nintendo Switch console is a simple process. Click on the Gear icon at the bottom of the home screen, which will bring you to the System Settings. Scroll to the "Users" tab and select "Add User."
Click "Import User Data From Another Console," and then you can connect your new Nintendo Switch console and the old one to transfer your data. This is the best option if you want to transfer saved data or an account from a Nintendo Switch you previously used.
How To Set Up A Nintendo Switch Family Group
The primary use of a Nintendo Switch Family Group is to reduce the cost of paying for individual Nintendo Switch Online memberships, which is a necessary subscription for playing online video games. You can also use it to manage parental controls for the Nintendo Store.
To create a Family Group, you need to head to accounts.nintendo.com and sign in to your Nintendo Switch account. Next, find your profile image on the page and select "Family Group." Choose the "Add Member" option, then "Invite Someone To Your Family Group." It'll ask for the account's email address, enter it, and then the account can link to your Family Group. A Nintendo Switch Family Group can have up to eight members at a time.
The person you add to your Family Group still has to accept the invitation before joining. If you're on the receiving end of an invitation, you'll get an email alerting you. The email will include a link that'll take you to a new page. Use the link and then press the "Join Family Group" option. Click "OK," and now your account will link to the group.
How To Subscribe To Nintendo Switch Online
Once you have your Nintendo Switch account set up, you should consider whether you'll need Nintendo Switch Online. This subscription allows you to play online games with other players, which is essential for experiencing multiplayer modes in your favorite video games.
Additionally, you gain access to dozens of classic games from previous console generations, including many SNES titles. With an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you can also use the Nintendo Switch Online app to communicate with your friends through voice chat.
How To Subscribe To Nintendo Switch Online As An Individual Member
To subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online as an individual member, enter the Nintendo Switch eShop through the home screen by clicking on the Bag icon at the bottom of the screen. You may need to enter your password to access the eShop.
Once on the eShop, scroll down to the Nintendo Switch Online menu and select "Change Membership." Depending on multiple factors, you may be eligible for a free trial. Click on "Individual Membership," and then you can select which plan you wish to purchase. One month is $3.99, three months is $7.99, and 12 months is $19.99. Click "Proceed To Purchase" and enter your preferred payment method.
You can also subscribe to the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack for one year for $49.99. The Expansion Pack includes a standard Nintendo Switch Online subscription, but it also offers you more games from previous consoles, such as the N64.
How To Subscribe To A Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership
The family plan for a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is more cost-effective if you know multiple people that own a Nintendo Switch. Launch the eShop and click on the Nintendo Switch Online menu. Press "Change Membership" and click on "Family Membership."
The Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership costs $34.99 for 12 months. You can also add the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack to your purchase for $79.99, which includes Nintendo Switch Online and access to extra games from the N64. You can share the Family Membership with up to eight accounts at a time, so it's the perfect option if you have multiple children that play games with separate accounts.
How To Add Friends To Your Nintendo Switch Online Account
Adding friends to your Nintendo Switch account is easy. Ask your friend for their Friend Code, which you can find by clicking on your profile image at the top left corner of the Nintendo Switch's home screen. The Friend Code is sitting on the right side of the screen.
Once you have a player's Friend Code, you can add them as a friend by scrolling down to the "Add Friend" menu on the same page as you find your Friend Code. Click "Search With Friend Code" to enter your friend's code and add them. You can also search for local Nintendo Switch consoles and players you've previously played with through this menu.
How To Use The Nintendo Switch Online App
The Nintendo Switch Online app is available on mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets. You can download the app inside the App Store on your device, including the Play Store and the Apple App Store. This app is free to download, but you need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use many of the app's features.
Log in to your Nintendo Switch account by entering your password, and then you can use the Voice Chat feature to talk to your friends during multiplayer sessions. You need the Nintendo Switch Online app to use voice chat on the Nintendo Switch.
You can also access a few other features for select games, such as Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Splatoon 2 under the "Game-Specific Services" section.