How to Reset Your Nintendo Switch Account

To reset your Nintendo Switch account, you will need to delete your user account and unlink your Nintendo Account from the console, then perform a factory reset to restore the console to its original settings. This process involves several steps, including selecting System Settings from the HOME Menu, scrolling down to System, and choosing Formatting Options to restore factory settings, which will delete all data in the system memory.

Understanding the Process

Before You Begin

It’s essential to understand that resetting your Nintendo Switch account will delete all data associated with it, including save data, digital content, and in-app purchases. If you want to keep your games and save data, you should backup your data to the Save Data Cloud service before resetting your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I reset my password for my Nintendo Account? You can reset your password by clicking the Forgot your password? link, entering the email address associated with your Nintendo Account, and clicking Submit to receive a temporary sign-in link.
2. What happens when I factory reset my Switch? Restoring factory settings will delete all data on the console and return it to its original state, but you can restore your games and save data if you have backed them up to the Save Data Cloud service.
3. Can I unlink my Nintendo Account from my Switch? You can unlink your Nintendo Account by deleting the user account associated with it, but this will also delete all save data associated with that account.
4. How do I delete my Nintendo Account? You can delete your Nintendo Account by signing in to your account, selecting Privacy and Other Settings, and clicking the Delete Account link.
5. Will I lose my games if I create a new Nintendo Account? If you have saved your games to the Save Data Cloud service, you can redownload them using your new account, but software saved on the microSD card will become unusable.
6. What happens if I delete a user on my Switch? Deleting a user account will delete all save data associated with that account, and it cannot be restored.
7. Can I completely reset my Nintendo Switch? Yes, you can completely reset your Nintendo Switch by selecting System Settings, scrolling down to System, and choosing Formatting Options to restore factory settings.
8. How do I factory reset my Switch without losing my games? You can factory reset your Switch without losing your games by holding both the + and – volume buttons down, pressing the POWER Button, and selecting Initialize Console Without Deleting Save Data.
9. Can I use the same Nintendo Account on two Switch consoles at the same time? You can link your Nintendo Account to multiple consoles, but you can only activate one primary console per account.
10. What happens if I remove an account from my Switch? Removing an account will delete all save data associated with that account, and it cannot be restored.
11. How do I transfer data from one Nintendo Account to another? You can transfer your user data by selecting System Settings, choosing Users, and selecting Transfer Your User Data.
12. Can I sell my used Nintendo Switch? Yes, you can sell your used Nintendo Switch, and the price will depend on the condition of the console and the model.
13. How many times can I deregister a Switch account? You can deregister a primary Nintendo Switch console once per year, but you can deactivate a console from your Nintendo Account remotely.
14. Do Nintendo Switch games stay on my account? Yes, digital games and downloadable content are tied to the Nintendo Account that purchased them, and you can redownload them using the same account.
15. Can I redownload Switch games after deleting them? Yes, you can redownload deleted games using the same Nintendo Account with which they were purchased, and the save location will default to the microSD card if one is inserted.