Can Two Nintendo Accounts Share Games?
The answer to the question of whether two Nintendo accounts can share games is yes, but with certain limitations and requirements, as digital games are tied to the Nintendo Account that purchased them, and all users on a system can play games purchased by any Nintendo Account that has registered the system as their primary console. To share games between two Nintendo accounts, users need to deregister one Switch as the primary console, create a new user account on the other Switch, and link the Nintendo account to it, then open the eShop and confirm the Switch is set as the primary console to redownload the games.
Understanding Nintendo Account Sharing
To delve deeper into the specifics of sharing games between Nintendo accounts, it’s essential to understand how Nintendo structures its account system and game ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- Can 2 users share the same Nintendo Account? As a rule, games store save data by user account, and if you share your console with your family, it’s recommended to create a user for each person, with up to 8 users possible.
- Can Nintendo family share games? Once you’ve set your primary Switch console, anyone can play any game on that console without needing an online license check.
- Do you need a separate Nintendo online account for each user? Each Nintendo Account needs an Individual Membership or needs to be part of a Family Membership to access Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack benefits.
Game Sharing and Ownership
- Do I have to buy Switch games twice? No, purchases made using a Nintendo Account can be redownloaded and played on any Nintendo Switch console it is linked to.
- What is the best way to share Nintendo Switch games with family? For each user, determine which Nintendo Switch system will be their Nintendo Account’s primary console, and make it the primary console for all Nintendo Accounts with purchased content if one system is shared by several users.
Nintendo Account Management
- Can you have two profiles under one Nintendo Account? Nintendo lets you add up to eight unique user profiles on a Switch, each able to save their settings and progress across games.
- Can you link 2 Nintendo Accounts? You can link up to 8 Nintendo Accounts to a single Nintendo Switch console, but you cannot combine two different Nintendo Accounts into one.
Online Gaming and Subscriptions
- Do both players need the same game to play Nintendo switch online? For multiplayer, yes, you do need one copy for each console, and each player needs a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
- Can you have two Nintendo accounts on one email? Only a single email address can be linked to one Nintendo Account.
Game Access and Transfer
- Can you download the same game on two switches? Yes, it’s possible to download games on two separate Switches from one account, with one as the primary console and the other as a non-primary console.
- Can you share game cartridges on Switch? Yes, game cartridges can be shared as they only contain the game, not save data.
Family Plans and Memberships
- What is Nintendo family share? A Nintendo Account family group allows up to 8 Nintendo Account users to connect together into one group, managed by one admin account.
- How much is Nintendo family plan? The Family Plan costs $34.99 per year and allows the entire family access to Nintendo Switch Online.
Technical and Logistical Questions
- Will I lose everything if I put my Switch game in another Switch? Save data is stored on the console you’re currently using, so to play games with your latest save data on multiple systems, you’ll need to transfer the save data each time you use a different console.
- How many times can you change primary Switch? A single Switch can be the primary console for as many accounts as you want, but each account can only set one Switch as its primary console.