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Can You Change the Primary Console for Your Nintendo Account? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is a resounding yes, you can change the primary console for your Nintendo Account. This is a crucial feature for anyone who owns multiple Nintendo Switch consoles, upgrades to a new system, or needs to replace a lost or stolen device. Understanding how primary consoles work and how to manage them is essential for getting the most out of your Nintendo Switch experience. This article will break down the process, explain the implications, and answer frequently asked questions to help you navigate this aspect of the Nintendo ecosystem.

Understanding Primary and Non-Primary Consoles

Before diving into how to change your primary console, let’s clarify what it means to have one and what the differences are between a primary console and a non-primary console.

The Role of the Primary Console

The primary console for your Nintendo Account is essentially the home base for your digital purchases. It grants special privileges, including:

Seamless Play: Anyone with a user profile on your primary console can play your downloaded games, even if you’re not actively logged in.
Offline Access: You can access and play your downloaded games offline on your primary console without needing an internet connection.
Easy Sharing: Family members or friends using your primary console can enjoy the benefits of your digital library without requiring individual purchases.

Limitations of Non-Primary Consoles

Non-primary consoles, on the other hand, have some restrictions:

Account Verification: You must be actively logged in to your Nintendo Account to play your downloaded games.
Internet Requirement: A persistent internet connection is generally required to launch and play your digital games on a non-primary console, to verify your account.
Individual Use Only: Only you can play your downloaded games on a non-primary console. Other users on that system won’t have access to your library.

How to Change Your Primary Console

There are two main scenarios for changing your primary console: you have access to your old console, or you don’t (e.g., it’s lost, stolen, or broken).

Changing Primary Console With Access to the Old Console

This is the simplest and most recommended method.

On the current primary console: Power on the Nintendo Switch you wish to deregister as primary.
Navigate to the eShop: Select the eShop icon from the HOME Menu.
Access Account Information: Select your user profile to access your account information within the eShop.
Deregister: Scroll down to the “Primary Console” section and select “Deregister”.
Confirm: Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the deregistration.
On the new console: On the new console you would like to be the primary console, open the eShop. The console will automatically register as the primary console for your Nintendo Account.

Changing Primary Console Without Access to the Old Console

If you no longer have access to your original primary console, you can still deregister it, but the process is slightly different. You can only do this once per year.

Access the Nintendo Account Website: Using a web browser (on a computer, tablet, or smartphone), go to the official Nintendo Account website.
Sign In: Log in to the Nintendo Account associated with the primary console you wish to deregister.
Navigate to Shop Menu: After logging in, select “Shop Menu” from the left-hand menu.
Deregister Primary Console: Click on “Deregister Primary Console.”
Confirm: Enter your Nintendo Account password when prompted and click “Deregister” twice to confirm.
On the new console: On the new console you would like to be the primary console, open the eShop. The console will automatically register as the primary console for your Nintendo Account.

Important Considerations When Changing Primary Consoles

One Deregistration Per Year (Without Console Access): Remember, remotely deregistering your primary console without access to it is limited to once per year. Use this option wisely.
Consequences of Changing: When you change primary consoles, the previous primary console loses its primary status, and its users will need an internet connection to play downloaded games, confirming they are associated with that account. The new console is the one that can play downloaded games offline and share those games with all users on the device.
Nintendo Switch Online: Changing primary consoles doesn’t affect your Nintendo Switch Online membership. As long as your Nintendo Account is linked to a user on a console, you’ll have access to online services.
Game Saves: Game save data is stored locally on the console, so transferring game save data is a separate process. Consider using cloud saves with Nintendo Switch Online if you have a membership.
Digital Games are Tied to Account: Your downloaded games are tied to your Nintendo Account, not the console itself. This is why you can redownload them on any Switch console where you’re logged in.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can two Nintendo Accounts have the same primary Switch?

No, each Nintendo Account can only designate one Nintendo Switch console as its primary console. However, a single Nintendo Switch can be the primary console for multiple Nintendo Accounts.

2. Can you unlink a Nintendo Account from a console?

Unlinking a Nintendo Account from a console requires deleting the associated user account on the console. Once linked, the association cannot be undone without deleting the user profile.

3. How many times can you change the primary Switch?

You can change your primary console as many times as you want, provided you have access to the old console to deregister it. If you deregister remotely (without access to the old console), you are limited to once per year.

4. What happens if you change the primary console Switch?

When you change your primary console, users on the old primary console will need an internet connection to play your downloaded games. The new primary console gains the ability to play your downloaded games offline and share them with other users on that system.

5. What happens if I link my Nintendo Account to another console?

Linking your Nintendo Account to another console allows you to access and play your downloaded games on that console, but it’s not automatically the primary console. You must manually designate the new console as your primary console in the eShop.

6. What happens when you link a Nintendo Account to a console?

Linking a Nintendo Account to a console gives you access to online features, allows you to manage personal settings, and saves data. It also allows access to online game modes, global rankings, and DLC.

7. How many accounts can be linked to a Nintendo Switch console?

You can link up to 8 Nintendo Accounts to a single Nintendo Switch console.

8. Can 2 Nintendo Accounts on the same Switch share an online membership?

Players using a family membership can access the Nintendo Switch Online service via the same Nintendo Switch system or multiple systems. Multiple users on the same console are not automatically covered by a family membership unless they are part of the same family group.

9. Can you transfer Switch games to another Switch?

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

10. Can two Nintendo Accounts share games on the same Switch?

All users on a system will be able to play games purchased by any Nintendo Account that has registered the system as their primary console.

11. Are Switch games tied to the console or account?

Purchases on the Nintendo Switch eShop are tied to the Nintendo Account that made the purchase.

12. How do I link my Nintendo account to my new console?

Select System Settings on the HOME Menu. Scroll down to highlight User, then select the appropriate user to access your User Settings. Select Link to a Nintendo Account.

13. How do I know which Switch is primary?

To verify whether a console is the primary console for your Nintendo Account, check the “primary console” section in your Nintendo eShop Account Information.

14. Can I use the same SD card on a different Switch?

You can use the same SD card on a different Switch, but the new Switch will format the microSD card, deleting all the data on it. The only files you can pass between microSD cards are screenshots and videos. Consider using cloud saves for your game data.

15. What is the difference between a Nintendo Account and a Nintendo Network ID?

A Nintendo Network ID was an account used for online services on the Wii U and 3DS consoles. A Nintendo Account is used for online services on the Nintendo Switch console. They are different account systems.

Conclusion

Managing your primary Nintendo Switch console is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance your gaming experience, especially if you own multiple consoles. By understanding the differences between primary and non-primary consoles and knowing how to deregister and reregister them, you can ensure seamless access to your digital game library across all your devices. Remember to use the remote deregistration feature judiciously, as it is limited to once per year. Stay informed about the latest Nintendo Switch updates and features by visiting reputable sources and engaging with the gaming community. Also, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society website for insights on learning through games at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Can you change the primary console for your Nintendo Account?