Demystifying the Nintendo Switch: Primary and Secondary Console Dynamics

Yes, absolutely! You can change your primary and secondary Nintendo Switch consoles. Understanding how this works unlocks the full potential of your Nintendo Account and lets you share your digital game library with family and friends. This article provides a deep dive into the intricacies of primary and secondary consoles, along with answers to common questions, ensuring you get the most out of your Nintendo Switch experience.

Understanding Primary and Secondary Nintendo Switch Consoles

The primary console is the Nintendo Switch that’s designated as the main hub for your Nintendo Account’s digital purchases. Think of it as your home base. Anyone using this console can access and play the games you’ve downloaded, regardless of their user profile. This includes enjoying Nintendo Switch Online benefits tied to your account.

A secondary console, on the other hand, is any Nintendo Switch where you’ve linked your Nintendo Account but isn’t designated as your primary console. On a secondary console, only you, using your Nintendo Account, can play the games you’ve downloaded. No other users on that console can access your digital library. This is a crucial distinction to understand for families sharing a digital game collection.

The beauty of the system lies in its flexibility. You can link your Nintendo Account to multiple consoles but only one can be designated as the primary console at any given time. This system balances convenience with copyright protection, allowing you to enjoy your games on multiple devices while preventing unauthorized sharing.

Why Change Your Primary Console?

There are several reasons why you might want to switch your primary console:

• Upgrading to a New Switch: Perhaps you’ve purchased a new Nintendo Switch OLED or simply want to retire your older model.
• Repair or Replacement: If your primary console needs repair or is lost/stolen, you’ll need to designate a new one to access your digital games.
• Household Changes: As family members move or share consoles differently, you might adjust the primary console to suit the current arrangement.

How to Change Your Primary Console

Changing your primary console is a straightforward process, but there are two primary methods:

1. De-registering on the Current Primary Console:

   • On your current primary console, open the Nintendo eShop.
   • Click on your profile icon (top left corner) to access your account settings.
   • Scroll down to “Primary console” and click on “Deregister”.
   • Confirm your decision. This removes the primary console status from this device. The next console you use to access the Nintendo eShop with your account will automatically become the new primary.

2. Deactivating Remotely via the Nintendo Account Website:

   • Using a web browser, go to the official Nintendo Account website.
   • Sign in to the Nintendo Account you want to deactivate.
   • Select “Shop Menu”.
   • Select “Deregister Primary Console”.

   Keep in mind that you can only deactivate a console remotely once per year. This is a safeguard against unauthorized account access.

Playing Games on Primary vs. Secondary Consoles: Key Differences

Feature	Primary Console	Secondary Console
———————-	————————————————————————————–	————————————————————————————–
Game Access	Anyone on the console can play your downloaded games.	Only you (using your Nintendo Account) can play your downloaded games.
Internet Connection	Not always required to play downloaded games.	An internet connection is required to periodically verify your account.
Nintendo Switch Online	All users on the console benefit from your Nintendo Switch Online membership features.	Only you benefit from your Nintendo Switch Online membership features.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I have 2 Switches on one account?

Yes, you can link your Nintendo Account to multiple Nintendo Switch consoles. However, only one can be designated as your primary console.

2. Is it easy to change the primary Switch?

Yes, changing your primary Switch is generally easy. The simplest method is to de-register the current primary console through the Nintendo eShop settings on that device. If you don’t have access to the primary console, you can deactivate it remotely via the Nintendo Account website, but this can only be done once per year.

3. Can you play together on 2 different Switches?

Absolutely! Nintendo Switch supports various multiplayer gaming options. You can play together online or in the same room using one system or multiple systems. Specific features like voice chat or split-screen play vary by game.

4. How many times can you make a Switch primary?

You can have one primary console at a time for your Nintendo Account. You can change which console is primary as needed, but remote deactivation is limited to once per year.

5. Can you deregister a Switch primary as much as you want?

You can deregister a primary Nintendo Switch console through the Nintendo eShop settings on the console itself as many times as you wish. The limitation of once per year applies only to remote deactivation.

6. How do I make my secondary Switch primary?

To make your secondary Switch primary:

• On your current primary console, deregister it through the eShop settings.
• On the console you want to be primary, open the eShop using your Nintendo Account.
• This console will automatically become your new primary console.

7. Can I play games on my secondary Switch offline?

While you can play games on your secondary Switch, you’ll need to connect to the internet periodically for the console to verify your account. There’s a grace period of about 3 hours for offline play. After that, the system will check if the account is being used on another device.

8. Why can’t other accounts on my Switch play my games?

If other accounts on your Switch can’t play your games, it’s because that console is not set as your primary console. Only the primary console allows all users to access your digital purchases.

9. Can you use the same game card on two switches?

Yes, you can use the same game card (physical cartridge) on multiple Nintendo Switch consoles. Save data is stored on the console itself, not the game card, so each console will have its own save data for the game.

10. Does changing primary switch delete save data?

Changing primary console status does not inherently delete save data. Save data is stored on the console. However, if you plan on playing a digital game on a different console with your latest save data, you will need to transfer the save data to the new console.

11. How do I reset my Switch to a new owner?

To reset your Switch for a new owner:

• Go to “System Settings” from the HOME Menu.
• Select “System”.
• Select “Formatting Options”.
• Select “Restore Factory Settings” to delete all data.

12. Does deregistering a Switch delete data?

Deregistering a Switch as your primary console doesn’t delete save data directly. However, deleting a user account from a Nintendo Switch console will delete any save data associated with that account.

13. How do I remove a primary Switch?

You can remove a primary Switch by either:

• De-registering it through the eShop settings on the console itself.
• Deactivating it remotely via the Nintendo Account website (limited to once per year).

14. How many accounts can be on a Switch?

Up to 8 user accounts can be created on a single Nintendo Switch console.

15. Can I transfer Switch games to another Switch?

Yes, you can transfer your Nintendo Account and digital games to a different Nintendo Switch console and make that console your account’s primary console.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the nuances of primary and secondary consoles is key to enjoying your Nintendo Switch experience to its fullest. By understanding the principles and following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effortlessly manage your digital game library and share the joy of gaming with your family and friends. Moreover, understanding the social elements of gaming and game design can be deeply beneficial. Organizations such as the Games Learning Society play an important role in exploring these connections. You can find more information at GamesLearningSociety.org. Happy gaming!