Can You Share a Nintendo Switch Online Membership? The Ultimate Guide
Yes, you can share a Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) membership, but with specific conditions and limitations. The extent to which you can share depends on the type of membership you have: either the Individual Membership or the Family Membership. While an individual membership is tied to a single Nintendo Account and cannot be directly shared, the Family Membership offers the ability to grant online access to up to eight Nintendo Accounts, regardless of which Nintendo Switch console they are using. This allows multiple family members or friends to enjoy the benefits of Nintendo Switch Online under a single subscription. Understanding the nuances of each membership type is crucial to maximizing your Nintendo Switch Online experience.
Understanding Nintendo Switch Online Memberships
The Nintendo Switch Online service is essential for playing most multiplayer games online, accessing a library of classic NES and SNES games, backing up save data to the cloud, and using the smartphone app for voice chat and other features in select games. Let’s delve deeper into the two main membership options:
Individual Membership
The Individual Membership is designed for a single user. It’s linked to one specific Nintendo Account. This means only the account holder can enjoy the benefits of NSO, regardless of which Nintendo Switch console they are using. Sharing this membership directly isn’t possible in the traditional sense.
Family Membership
The Family Membership is where the sharing magic happens. This option allows up to eight Nintendo Accounts to be included in a single subscription. These accounts don’t need to be actual family members; they can be friends or anyone you choose. Once added to the Family Group, each member can access all the features of Nintendo Switch Online, including online play, classic games, and cloud saves, on any Nintendo Switch console.
What is a Nintendo Account Family Group?
A Nintendo Account Family Group is a group of up to eight Nintendo Accounts managed by a single adult account, designated as the Family Group Admin. This admin is responsible for inviting and managing the other accounts within the group. Each member of the Family Group has their own individual Nintendo Account, with their own username, password, and eShop access.
How to Share a Family Membership
Sharing a Family Membership involves creating and managing a Nintendo Account Family Group. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Purchase a Family Membership: If you don’t already have one, purchase a Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership from the Nintendo eShop on your Switch console or on the Nintendo website.
- Access your Nintendo Account Settings: Log in to your Nintendo Account on the Nintendo website (https://accounts.nintendo.com).
- Navigate to Family Group: In your account settings, find the “Family Group” section.
- Invite Members: Click “Add Member” and enter the email address associated with the Nintendo Account you want to add. An invitation will be sent to that account.
- Accept Invitations: The invited users must accept the invitation to join the Family Group through the email they receive or by logging into their Nintendo Account on the Nintendo website.
- Manage Your Group: As the Family Group Admin, you can remove members, change permissions for accounts that are supervised (usually children’s accounts), and manage the overall Family Group settings.
Benefits of Sharing a Family Membership
Sharing a Family Membership offers several significant advantages:
- Cost-Effectiveness: It’s significantly cheaper than purchasing individual memberships for each user, especially if you have multiple people in your household or a group of friends who play together.
- Shared Access: All members of the Family Group gain access to the full range of Nintendo Switch Online features, including online play, classic games, and cloud saves.
- Convenience: Managing a single Family Membership is easier than managing multiple individual memberships.
- Flexibility: Family Group members can use their benefits on any Nintendo Switch console, providing flexibility for families with multiple consoles or friends who play at each other’s houses.
Drawbacks of Sharing a Family Membership
While sharing a Family Membership offers numerous benefits, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:
- Trust: You need to trust the individuals you add to your Family Group, as they will have access to online services and potentially impact your account if they violate Nintendo’s terms of service.
- Account Security: It’s essential to ensure that all members of the Family Group have strong passwords and are aware of online safety practices to prevent unauthorized access to their accounts.
- Admin Responsibility: The Family Group Admin is responsible for managing the group and ensuring that all members adhere to Nintendo’s guidelines. This can be a time commitment.
- Limited Slots: You’re limited to a maximum of eight Nintendo Accounts in your Family Group. If you have more than eight people you want to share with, you’ll need to purchase additional memberships.
Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack
It’s worth noting that there’s also the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership. This premium tier includes all the benefits of the standard NSO membership, plus access to a library of Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games, as well as downloadable content for select Switch games, such as the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Booster Course Pass and the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Happy Home Paradise DLC. The Expansion Pack also comes in Individual and Family options, with similar sharing rules applying to the Family Membership version.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about sharing a Nintendo Switch Online membership:
1. Can I share my Individual Nintendo Switch Online membership?
No, an Individual Nintendo Switch Online membership is tied to a single Nintendo Account and cannot be directly shared with other users.
2. How many people can I share a Family Membership with?
A Family Membership allows you to include up to eight Nintendo Accounts in a single subscription.
3. Do the members of my Family Group need to be actual family members?
No, the members of your Family Group do not need to be related to you. You can invite friends or anyone you choose.
4. How do I add someone to my Family Group?
You can add members to your Family Group by logging into your Nintendo Account on the Nintendo website, navigating to the “Family Group” section, and sending invitations to the email addresses associated with their Nintendo Accounts.
5. Can I remove someone from my Family Group?
Yes, as the Family Group Admin, you can remove members from your Family Group through your Nintendo Account settings on the Nintendo website.
6. What happens if someone I share with violates Nintendo’s terms of service?
If a member of your Family Group violates Nintendo’s terms of service, it could potentially affect the entire Family Group, including the Family Group Admin’s account.
7. Can I share my Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Family Membership?
Yes, the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Family Membership can be shared with up to eight Nintendo Accounts in the same way as the standard Family Membership.
8. Is there a cost difference between the Individual and Family Memberships?
Yes, the Family Membership is more expensive than the Individual Membership, but it’s generally more cost-effective if you have multiple people who want to use the service.
9. Do Family Group members need their own Nintendo Switch consoles?
No, Family Group members can use their benefits on any Nintendo Switch console, as the membership is tied to their individual Nintendo Accounts, not the console itself.
10. Can children be added to a Family Group?
Yes, children’s Nintendo Accounts can be added to a Family Group. The Family Group Admin can set parental controls and manage their accounts.
11. What happens if a Family Group member already has an Individual Membership?
If a user already has an Individual Membership and joins a Family Group, their Individual Membership will be automatically terminated, and they will be refunded for the remaining unused portion of their subscription.
12. Can I transfer my Family Group to another Nintendo Account?
No, you cannot directly transfer your Family Group to another Nintendo Account. The current Family Group Admin would need to be removed, and a new admin would need to create a new Family Group and invite the other members.
13. What are the benefits of Nintendo Switch Online besides online play?
In addition to online play, Nintendo Switch Online provides access to a library of classic NES and SNES games, cloud save backups, and the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app.
14. How do I cancel my Nintendo Switch Online membership?
You can cancel your Nintendo Switch Online membership through your Nintendo Account settings on the Nintendo website or on your Nintendo Switch console.
15. Can I purchase a Family Membership if I already have an Individual Membership?
Yes, you can upgrade from an Individual Membership to a Family Membership. Nintendo will automatically calculate a prorated refund for the remaining time on your Individual Membership and apply it to the cost of the Family Membership.