Can I have 2 switches on one account?

Yes, you can link your Nintendo Account to multiple consoles, allowing you to play digital games you’ve purchased on any Nintendo Switch console that has been linked to your Nintendo Account. However, please note that you can only register one primary console per Nintendo Account, which affects how games are accessed and played on each console.

Understanding Nintendo Account Linking

To take full advantage of the Nintendo Switch‘s flexibility, it’s essential to understand how Nintendo Account linking works and how it impacts gameplay across multiple consoles.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. Can 2 Nintendo switches use the same account? You can link your Nintendo Account to multiple consoles, but only one can be set as the primary console. This setup allows you to play digital games on any linked Nintendo Switch, but games are only playable on non-primary consoles when using the account they’re linked to.

2. How do I set up two switches on one account? To set up multiple Switch units with the same account, create a new local account on the additional Switch and then link it to your Nintendo Account using your login and password.

3. Can I play Animal Crossing on 2 switches? Animal Crossing: New Horizons supports up to 8 users on a single Nintendo Switch with a single game copy, all sharing one island. However, if you want to play on two separate Switch consoles, you can transfer your island save data to another console, but you won’t be able to play simultaneously on both.

Gamesharing and Purchases

4. Can I share my digital Switch games with family? Yes, gamesharing is possible on the Nintendo Switch. As long as you have a digital copy of a game in your account, you can share it with others across different Switch consoles, including the original Switch, Switch OLED, and Switch Lite.

5. What is the best way to share Nintendo Switch games with family? For family sharing, determine which Nintendo Switch system will be the primary console for each user’s Nintendo Account. If one system is shared, make it the primary console for all accounts with purchased content, as digital games are tied to the purchasing account.

6. Do I have to buy Animal Crossing for each Switch? No, Animal Crossing: New Horizons allows up to 8 users to share a single island on one Nintendo Switch with one game copy. However, for separate islands on different Switch consoles, you would need a copy of the game for each console.

Primary and Secondary Consoles

7. What is the difference between primary and secondary Nintendo Switch accounts? The primary Switch allows offline and online play without limits, while a secondary Switch requires an online connection to launch games tied to the Nintendo Account.

8. How do I make my secondary Switch primary? To change your primary console, access the Nintendo eShop on the desired console with your Nintendo Account, and the system will automatically set it as your primary console.

9. Can I have two Animal Crossing Islands on one account? No, you can only create one island per Nintendo Switch system, even with multiple games. A different system is required for a different island.

Transferring Data and Purchases

10. Will I lose my Animal Crossing Island if I get a new Switch? No, you can transfer your island save data to a new Nintendo Switch console, but note that your island will be completely transferred, and you won’t be able to play on it on the old console afterward.

11. Can you have two Animal Crossing Islands on one account? As mentioned, you can only have one island per Nintendo Switch system. For another island, you need a different Switch console.

12. Can me and a family member play the same game on one Nintendo Account with two switches? Yes, you can play digital games purchased on any Nintendo Switch console linked to your Nintendo Account, but only one console can be the primary console for your account.

Account Management

13. How many consoles can have the same primary account? Each Nintendo Account can only have one Nintendo Switch console set as the primary console at a time.

14. How do I separate Switch accounts? To unlink a Nintendo Account from a Switch, you can delete the associated user account or initialize the Switch to unlink all accounts.

15. Can you download the same game on two switches? Yes, purchases made with a Nintendo Account can be redownloaded and played on any linked Nintendo Switch console, with the limitation that only one console can be the primary console for the account at any given time.