Can I Add Someone to My Switch Family Plan? Everything You Need to Know

The short answer is a resounding yes! You can absolutely add members to your Nintendo Switch Online Family Plan. The Family Plan is designed to allow up to eight Nintendo Account users to enjoy the benefits of Nintendo Switch Online under a single membership. This is a fantastic way to save money and share the joy of online play, classic games, and other perks with family or friends. Now, let’s dive into the details of how to manage your family plan and answer some common questions.

Understanding the Nintendo Account Family Group

Before you start adding people, it’s crucial to understand what a Nintendo Account Family Group actually is. Think of it as a digital container that holds up to eight Nintendo Accounts. One account is designated as the administrator (admin), and this person is responsible for managing the group, including sending invites and supervising accounts for younger members.

• Admin Account: The primary account holder who purchased the Family Membership and has control over the group settings.
• General Account: Standard Nintendo Accounts of adults (18+) who are part of the family group.
• Supervised Account: Nintendo Accounts for children aged 17 and under, linked to the admin’s email address for parental controls.

How to Add Members to Your Family Group

Adding members to your Nintendo Account Family Group is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Log in to your Nintendo Account: Visit the Nintendo Account website and log in with the admin account credentials.
2. Navigate to “Family Group”: On the left-hand side of your account page, you will find the “Family Group” tab. Click on it.
3. Invite New Members: You have two options for adding members:
   • Via Email Address: Click “Add Member” and enter the email address associated with the Nintendo Account you want to invite. The invitee will receive an email with instructions on how to join the group.
   • Create an Account for a Child: If you need to add a child who doesn’t have a Nintendo Account, you can create one for them. This will be a supervised account linked to your email address.
4. Managing Existing Members: Once members are added, you can manage their roles (e.g., setting parental controls for supervised accounts) within the “Family Group” section.

Benefits of a Family Membership

The Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership unlocks a host of benefits for all members of the group:

• Online Play: Access online multiplayer for compatible Nintendo Switch games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 3, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
• Classic Games: Enjoy a growing library of over 100 classic NES and Super NES games.
• Save Data Cloud: Back up your game save data to the cloud, ensuring you never lose progress even if your console is damaged or lost.
• Nintendo Switch Online App: Use the smartphone app for voice chat and special features in compatible games.
• Exclusive Offers: Access exclusive deals and content only available to Nintendo Switch Online members.

The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

For an enhanced experience, consider the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. This premium tier includes all the benefits of the standard Family Membership, plus:

• Nintendo 64 Games: Play a selection of classic Nintendo 64 games with added online multiplayer.
• Sega Genesis Games: Dive into a library of retro Sega Genesis titles.
• Game Boy Advance Games: Now you can experience the expansive catalog of Game Boy Advance games.
• Game Boy & Game Boy Color Games: Nostalgia reaches new heights with a collection of handheld classics.
• DLC Access: Gain access to downloadable content (DLC) for select games, such as the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise, and Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion.

Why Choose a Family Plan?

The Family Plan is an economical choice for households with multiple Switch users. Instead of purchasing individual memberships for each person, the Family Plan covers up to eight accounts for a single annual price. This can result in significant savings, especially if you have a large family or a group of friends who enjoy playing together online.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I add friends to my Switch Family Plan, or does it have to be actual family members?

While the name suggests it’s only for family, you can absolutely add friends to your Nintendo Switch Online Family Plan. Nintendo doesn’t verify familial relationships, so anyone with a Nintendo Account can be added to your group. This makes it a cost-effective way for friends to enjoy the benefits of Nintendo Switch Online.

2. How many people can share a Nintendo Switch Family Plan?

A Family Membership supports up to eight Nintendo Account users. This includes the admin account and any supervised accounts.

3. Can I link two Nintendo Switch accounts to a Family Account?

Yes, you can link multiple Nintendo Switch accounts to a single Family Account. Each user needs their own Nintendo Account, and then they can be added to the Family Group by the admin.

4. Can Nintendo Family members share games?

Digital games are tied to the Nintendo Account that purchased them. However, all users on a system that’s designated as the primary console for the purchasing account can play those games. So, yes, in that sense, family members can share digital games.

5. Does the Nintendo Switch Family Membership work on multiple consoles?

Yes, the Family Membership works on multiple consoles. Each member of the family group can access Nintendo Switch Online services on their own Nintendo Switch system. They don’t all have to use the same console.

6. Can you stack Nintendo Family Memberships?

No, you cannot stack Nintendo Family Memberships. If you purchase a new Family Membership while an existing one is still active, the new membership will not be added to the remaining time. Only the original purchaser can extend the existing membership.

7. What are the benefits of a Nintendo Family Membership?

The benefits include online play, access to a library of classic NES and Super NES games, Save Data Cloud backups, use of the Nintendo Switch Online app, and exclusive offers.

8. What if a member of my Family Group already has a Nintendo Switch Online membership?

If someone in your group already has an individual membership, they will need to let it expire or cancel it before joining the Family Group. Alternatively, they can leave the family group and keep their individual membership.

9. Do I need a separate Nintendo Account for each user?

Yes, each person who will be playing on the Nintendo Switch should have their own Nintendo Account. This allows for individual save data and personalized settings.

10. Can multiple accounts play the same game on Switch simultaneously?

It depends. If you have a digital game and multiple consoles, only one console can be designated as the primary console. Users on the primary console can play the digital game with any account. However, if another console uses the same account to play the same digital game, only one can play at a time unless the game allows for multiple instances. Physical games can be played simultaneously on different consoles.

11. Can you be in two Family Groups in Nintendo?

No, a Nintendo Account can only be part of one Family Group at a time.

12. Why can’t I purchase a Nintendo Family Membership?

You may not be able to purchase a Family Membership if you already have an existing Nintendo Switch Online membership and are trying to switch plans. Also, you must be at least 18 years old to purchase a Family Membership.

13. Do I need a Family Membership for Nintendo Switch?

If you want multiple users in your household to have access to Nintendo Switch Online services, a Family Membership is the most cost-effective option. Otherwise, an individual membership may suffice.

14. What games are included in the Family Membership Switch?

The standard Family Membership includes access to a library of classic NES and Super NES games. The Expansion Pack adds Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance games, as well as DLC for select titles.

15. What is the difference between the Nintendo Switch Family Membership and the Expansion Pack?

The Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership provides access to online play, classic NES and SNES games, and other basic features. The Expansion Pack adds Nintendo 64, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance games, along with DLC for certain titles.

Conclusion

Adding members to your Nintendo Switch Online Family Plan is a simple way to share the benefits of Nintendo Switch Online with family and friends. By understanding the features of Family Group and Expansion Pack, you can make the most of your Nintendo Switch experience. It’s an affordable way to enhance your gaming experience. Educational game-based learning is also enhanced through the Nintendo Switch online play. You can learn more about educational games and the power of learning through gaming on the Games Learning Society website. You can also find useful resources at GamesLearningSociety.org.