Can I Change My Primary Switch?
The answer to the question Can I change my primary Switch? is yes, you can change your primary Switch console, but you must first de-register the current primary console. This process can be done through the Nintendo eShop settings on the console itself or remotely through the Nintendo Account website, although remote de-registration is limited to once per year.
Understanding Primary Switch Console
Changing your primary Switch console affects how you access and play your digital purchases on different consoles linked to your Nintendo Account. On the primary console, anyone can play the digital games you’ve purchased, whereas on a non-primary console, only the account holder can play these games.
FAQs About Changing Primary Switch
Q1: How Do I Change My Primary Switch?
To change your primary Switch, you need to de-register the current primary console and then set the new console as your primary. This can be done by accessing the Nintendo eShop settings on the console or through the Nintendo Account website.
Q2: Can I Change My Primary Switch Without the Console?
Yes, you can deactivate a primary Nintendo Switch console remotely through the Nintendo Account website if you don’t have access to the primary console. However, this option is only available once per year.
Q3: Can I Switch Primary Switch Back and Forth?
Yes, you can change which Nintendo Switch console is your primary console, but you must first deactivate the current primary console. This allows flexibility in managing your digital games and Nintendo Switch Online membership benefits.
Q4: How Many Times Can You Change Primary Switch?
While there’s a limit on remote de-registration (once per year), there’s no specified limit on how many times you can change your primary Switch through the console itself. However, each Nintendo Account can only have one primary console at a time.
Q5: Can 1 Account Have 2 Primary Switches?
No, each Nintendo Account can only set one Switch as its primary console. However, a single Switch can be the primary console for multiple Nintendo Accounts.
Q6: Can I Have 2 Nintendo Switches with the Same Account?
Yes, you can link your Nintendo Account to multiple Nintendo Switch consoles. This allows you to play digital games you’ve purchased on any Nintendo Switch console linked to your account, but only on the primary console can anyone play these games without needing to log in.
Q7: How Do I Deregister a Primary Switch?
You can deregister a primary Switch through the Nintendo eShop settings on the console or by visiting the Nintendo Account website, signing in, and selecting the option to deregister the primary console.
Q8: Can a Primary and Secondary Switch Play at the Same Time?
No, you cannot play the same downloaded game at the same time on both your primary and secondary Switch consoles. If someone is playing a game on a secondary Switch and you start the same game on the primary Switch, the game on the secondary Switch will be suspended.
Q9: How Do I Unlink a Nintendo Account from a Switch?
To unlink a Nintendo Account from a Nintendo Switch console, you can delete the associated user account or initialize the console to remove all accounts.
Q10: How Do I Know if My Switch is the Primary Console?
You can verify if a console is your primary console by checking the “primary console” section in your Nintendo eShop Account Information.
Q11: Can 2 Switches Share Games?
Yes, but with limitations. You can play digital games on any Switch console linked to your Nintendo Account, but playing the same game simultaneously on two consoles is not allowed unless you have a physical copy of the game on the second console.
Q12: Can I Share My Digital Switch Games with Family?
Yes, the Nintendo Switch allows game sharing similar to other consoles. You can share digital games with family members by making one Switch the primary console for your Nintendo Account.
Q13: Why Can’t Other Accounts on My Switch Play My Games?
This is because only the primary console allows anyone to play digital games purchased with the linked Nintendo Account without needing to log in. On non-primary consoles, only the account holder can play these games.
Q14: How Do I Reset My Switch to a New Owner?
To reset your Switch for a new owner, go to System Settings, select System, then Formatting Options, and choose Restore Factory Settings to delete all data.
Q15: Can You Have Save Data on Two Switches?
Yes, you can transfer save data from one Switch console to another, allowing you to continue playing from where you left off. However, some save data cannot be transferred due to the game’s save data management policies.