How to Change the Date on Your Nintendo Account: A Comprehensive Guide

Changing the date on your Nintendo Account is not as straightforward as you might hope. Unlike many online accounts where you can simply log in and modify your birthdate, Nintendo has stricter protocols in place. Directly, you cannot change your birthdate through the system itself. To update the birthdate associated with your Nintendo Network ID, you need to contact Nintendo Support directly.

This article will walk you through the reasons behind this policy, the steps you need to take to request a change, and answer some frequently asked questions about Nintendo Accounts, child accounts, and time-related settings in Nintendo games.

Understanding Nintendo’s Date of Birth Policy

Why can’t you just change your birthdate with a few clicks? Nintendo’s policy is primarily in place for security and child safety. Birthdates are crucial for verifying your identity and ensuring that parental controls are correctly applied to child accounts. Allowing users to freely change this information could potentially lead to misuse, fraud, or circumvention of these safety measures.

Think about it this way: A child account has restrictions on spending and online interactions. If a child could simply change their birthdate to appear older, they could bypass these controls. Similarly, knowing someone’s birthdate is a common piece of information used for account recovery. Allowing easy changes would make accounts more vulnerable to hacking attempts.

Steps to Request a Birthdate Change

Since you can’t change the birthdate yourself, you need to contact Nintendo Support. Here’s how:

1. Gather Your Information: Before contacting support, make sure you have all the necessary information at hand. This includes:

   • Your Nintendo Network ID (NNID) or the email address associated with your Nintendo Account.
   • Your full name as it appears on the account.
   • A copy of a valid ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, to verify your identity. (Nintendo may request this to confirm the change is legitimate).
   • The reason for the change. Be clear and concise about why you need to update your birthdate. Common reasons include entering the wrong date during account creation or needing to correct an error.

2. Contact Nintendo Support: Visit the Nintendo Support website (nintendo.com/customer-support) and look for the “Contact Us” section. You’ll typically have the option to submit a support ticket, use live chat, or call their customer service line.

3. Submit Your Request: Clearly explain that you need to change the birthdate associated with your Nintendo Account or NNID. Provide all the information you gathered in step one.

4. Verification Process: Be prepared to answer questions and potentially provide further documentation to verify your identity. Nintendo’s support team will guide you through the process.

5. Await Confirmation: Once your request is approved, Nintendo will update your birthdate in their system. This may take a few days, so be patient. You will receive a confirmation email once the change is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I enter the wrong birthday when creating my Nintendo Account?

If you accidentally enter the wrong birthday, the first thing to do is to contact Nintendo Support as outlined above. Providing them with accurate information and the reason for the error will expedite the process.

2. Can I change the birthdate on a child account myself?

No, even as a parent or guardian, you cannot directly change the birthdate on a child account through the Nintendo Account settings. You must still contact Nintendo Support and follow their verification process. This policy helps ensure no unauthorized changes are made.

3. What is a Nintendo Network ID (NNID), and how does it relate to my Nintendo Account?

The Nintendo Network ID (NNID) was used on older Nintendo consoles like the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. While Nintendo Accounts are now the primary account system, your NNID may still be linked to your account if you’ve used Nintendo services on those older consoles.

4. How do parental controls work on Nintendo Accounts?

Parental controls allow parents and guardians to manage what their children can access and do on Nintendo systems. This includes setting spending limits, restricting online communication, and filtering content based on age ratings. The birthdate associated with the account is a key factor in determining which restrictions are applied.

5. What happens when a Nintendo child account turns 18?

A child account does not automatically convert into a regular Nintendo Account when the user turns 18. Certain restrictions may be lifted, but it remains a supervised account unless the parent or guardian removes the supervision or the account holder creates a brand new account.

6. How do I remove parental control restrictions from a Nintendo Account?

You can remove parental control restrictions by accessing the Family Group settings in your Nintendo Account. Select the account you want to stop supervising and choose “Lift parental controls restrictions”. However, this is only possible if the user is over 16 and has registered an email address to their Nintendo Account.

7. Can I change the date and time on my Nintendo Switch console?

Yes, you can change the date and time on your Nintendo Switch console through the System Settings. This is useful for various reasons, including adjusting for daylight saving time or, for those brave enough, time-traveling in games like Animal Crossing.

8. Will changing the date on my Nintendo Switch affect my Nintendo Account?

Changing the date and time on your Nintendo Switch console does not directly affect your Nintendo Account information, including your birthdate. However, changing the system clock can impact gameplay in certain games, as discussed below.

9. What are the consequences of time-traveling in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

Time-traveling in Animal Crossing: New Horizons involves changing the date and time on your Nintendo Switch to advance or rewind time in the game. While it can be fun to quickly progress the story or unlock new items, there are potential consequences, such as villagers moving out or weeds growing throughout your island.

10. How does Animal Crossing know my birthday?

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, your birthday is chosen when you create your player character. The game uses this information to celebrate your birthday with in-game events and gifts.

11. What happens if I miss a villager’s birthday in Animal Crossing?

Missing a villager’s birthday in Animal Crossing has no significant negative consequences. The villager won’t be offended, and it won’t affect your relationship with them. The game’s processes for villager actions are largely random.

12. Is there a way to change my birthday in Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

Unfortunately, there is no in-game way to change your birthday in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. If you made a mistake or want to change your birthday, you would need to delete your island and start a new game.

13. What are the differences between a Nintendo Account and a child account?

Nintendo Accounts for children are created for users aged 0 through 17. General Nintendo Accounts can only be created by users aged 13 and older with an email account. Child accounts can only be linked to a Nintendo Network ID, while regular accounts can be linked to Google accounts or Apple IDs.

14. Why do I have to pay 50 cents for a Nintendo Account?

You generally do not have to pay 50 cents for a Nintendo Account. This fee was implemented during account setup to verify that a parent or guardian has granted consent for a child account. However, Nintendo no longer appears to charge this fee to verify the parental consent.

15. Does Nintendo Account age matter for accessing certain content?

Yes, Nintendo Account age matters. Certain content, such as games with mature themes, might be restricted based on the age associated with your account. This is part of Nintendo’s commitment to providing a safe gaming environment.

Changing the date on your Nintendo Account requires a direct approach through Nintendo Support. Although the process is not immediate, it ensures the security and integrity of your account and the Nintendo ecosystem. Always be honest and provide accurate information when contacting support to facilitate a smooth and efficient resolution. This is a key element in digital game-based learning and game design. To learn more about video games, check out the GamesLearningSociety.org website.