Can I Upgrade My Individual Nintendo Membership to Family? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you can upgrade from an individual Nintendo Switch Online membership to a family membership. However, the process isn’t a direct, seamless switch. You can’t simply transform your existing individual membership into a family one. Instead, Nintendo offers a system where you can use the remaining value of your individual membership as a discount when purchasing a family plan. This means you won’t lose the money you’ve already spent on your individual membership, and it’s applied towards the cost of the family plan, up to the family plan’s full cost. This approach provides flexibility and ensures you get the best value for your investment in Nintendo’s online services.
How the Upgrade Works
The upgrade isn’t automatic. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how it typically works:
- Calculate Remaining Value: Nintendo will calculate the remaining value of your current individual membership based on how much time you have left. This is often a pro-rated amount based on the original cost.
- Discount Application: When you choose to purchase a family membership, this calculated remaining value will be applied as a discount to the family plan’s price.
- Purchase the Family Membership: You will still need to purchase the entire family plan, but with the discount applied, you’ll pay less than the full price.
- Family Group Setup: After purchasing the family membership, you will then need to set up your family group and invite members to join.
It’s important to note that while this effectively allows you to “upgrade,” the technical process is more about using a discount on a new purchase, rather than a direct conversion. There isn’t an automated system to simply change the type of membership. This means you’ll always need to purchase the desired plan separately. It is also crucial to note that you can use up to the full cost of the family membership in discounts. After which any remaining discount will be lost.
Important Considerations
- Expansion Pack: If you have an individual Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, you can also use the remaining value towards a family membership with the expansion pack.
- Time Sensitivity: The discount is based on your current membership. Waiting too long might diminish the value you can use for the upgrade, especially if your membership is close to its renewal date.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify and provide a comprehensive understanding of Nintendo’s online memberships, here are 15 frequently asked questions.
1. What is the difference between Nintendo Switch Online Individual and Family memberships?
A Nintendo Switch Online Individual membership provides access to online features for a single Nintendo Account. A Family membership, on the other hand, provides access for up to eight Nintendo Accounts within a family group. It’s significantly more cost-effective for households with multiple Switch users.
2. How many people can be included in a Nintendo Family membership?
A Nintendo Switch Online Family membership allows for a maximum of eight Nintendo Accounts to be included. This includes the administrator of the family group.
3. Can I share my individual Nintendo Online membership with other users on my console?
No, an individual Nintendo Switch Online membership is tied to a specific Nintendo Account and cannot be shared across different profiles on the same console. Each account requires its own membership to access online features.
4. Can I transfer my Nintendo Switch Online membership to another account?
Unfortunately, Nintendo Switch Online individual memberships cannot be transferred to another Nintendo Account. They are non-transferable and tied to the original purchasing account.
5. How much does a Nintendo Switch Online Family membership cost?
The standard Family Plan costs $34.99 per year. If you opt for the Family Plan with the Expansion Pack, the cost is $79.99 per year.
6. Can I use an individual membership on multiple Switch consoles?
While you can link your Nintendo Account to multiple Switch consoles, the individual membership benefits are tied to the primary console associated with that account, and not to the console itself. You’ll be able to use online services on the primary console.
7. Do all members of a family group need to use the same Nintendo Switch console?
No, members of a family group can access Nintendo Switch Online on any console, as the membership is tied to their Nintendo Account, not a specific console. They can all play on different consoles and enjoy online play.
8. Can existing Nintendo Accounts be added to a family group?
Yes, existing Nintendo Accounts for users aged 13+ can be added to a family group by the group’s administrator. For accounts of children under 13, the group admin must create the account and add it to the family group.
9. What is the point of a family plan if I only have one switch?
Even with only one Switch console, a family plan can be beneficial if multiple members of the household use it with separate Nintendo Accounts. It will save you from having to pay individual fees for each account.
10. How do I set up a Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership?
To set up a Family Membership, you first need to purchase the membership from the Nintendo eShop or through a retailer. Then, you’ll need to create a family group and invite members through the Nintendo Account website or app.
11. What if I have already bought an individual membership and now want the expansion pack for my family?
If you have an existing individual membership with or without the expansion pack, you can upgrade to the family plan with the expansion pack and receive a discount based on your existing plan. It will be applied to the purchase of the new family plan.
12. What are some of the benefits of a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership?
The Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack includes all benefits of the standard membership, as well as access to a library of N64 and Sega Genesis games and access to downloadable content (DLC) for various first-party games.
13. Can I have multiple Nintendo Accounts on one Switch?
Yes, you can have up to eight user accounts and Nintendo Accounts on a single Nintendo Switch console. You can add them from the system settings menu.
14. Do you get free games with Nintendo Switch Online family membership?
Yes, you get access to a library of retro games from Nintendo consoles like NES and SNES. Games from N64 and Sega Genesis are included with the Expansion Pack. These games are not purchased, but included in the service for as long as you hold an active subscription.
15. What happens if I cancel my Nintendo Switch Online membership?
If you cancel your Nintendo Switch Online membership, you will lose access to online features and the library of classic games at the end of your current term. You will also lose access to expansion pack benefits if you had them. The automatic renewal can be turned off to ensure that you are not charged automatically at the end of the term, as it is turned on by default.
By understanding these FAQs, you can make informed decisions about the Nintendo Switch Online membership that best suits your needs. Whether you’re upgrading from an individual to a family plan or exploring the various options, Nintendo provides flexibility to accommodate different user scenarios.