How do I separate my Nintendo accounts?
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To separate Nintendo accounts, you need to unlink or delete the associated user account from your Nintendo Switch console, which can be done by going to the System Settings and selecting Users, then choosing the user account you want to remove and clicking Delete User. This process will unlink the Nintendo Account from the console, but it will not delete the account itself, allowing you to re-link it to another user account in the future.
Understanding Nintendo Accounts and Consoles
Nintendo Account Basics
A Nintendo Account is used for Nintendo Switch online services, including the Nintendo Switch eShop, smart device applications, and the My Nintendo loyalty service. To manage your Nintendo Account, you can access the Nintendo Account website and make changes to your account settings, such as unlinking a Nintendo Network ID from your Nintendo Account.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I have two different Nintendo Accounts on one Switch? Yes, you can link up to 8 Nintendo Accounts to a single Nintendo Switch console. However, only one Nintendo Account can be the primary account for the console at a time.
- Do I need a separate Nintendo Account for each Switch? No, you can register one primary console per Nintendo Account, and your digital purchases can be played by anyone using the primary console.
- Can I unlink a Nintendo Account without losing data? Yes, you can unlink a Nintendo Account without losing save data, as long as it is saved locally on the Switch and you have been playing on your own Switch profile.
- What is the difference between a Nintendo Account and a Switch account? A Nintendo Account is used for Nintendo Switch online services, while a Switch account refers to the user profile on the console.
- Can one Nintendo Account be linked to two profiles? No, only one Nintendo Network ID can be linked to a Nintendo Account.
- How do I separate Nintendo Switch accounts? To unlink a single Nintendo Account from a Nintendo Switch console, delete the associated user account. To unlink all Nintendo Accounts from a Nintendo Switch console, initialize the console.
- Can Nintendo family members share games? Yes, digital games are tied to the Nintendo Account that purchased them, and all users on a system can play games purchased by any Nintendo Account that has registered the system as their primary console.
- What does unlinking a Nintendo Account do? Unlinking a Nintendo Account from a Nintendo Switch console does not delete the account or any associated purchases, and the account can be re-linked to another user account in the future.
- Will I lose my games if I delete a user on Switch? No, games are attached to your account and can be redownloaded from the account menu on any new Switch with your account logged in.
- Can you have two Nintendo Accounts on one email? No, an email address can only be linked to one Nintendo Account.
- How do you share games between accounts on Nintendo Switch? Gamesharing on Nintendo Switch involves signing out of your account on one console and signing into your account on another, allowing you to access your digital games on multiple consoles.
- Can I delete my Nintendo account and keep my games? No, deleting a Nintendo Account will result in the loss of all data associated with it, including digital content and in-app purchases.
- Do Switch games stay on account? Yes, digital games and downloadable content are tied to the Nintendo Account that purchased them, and can be redownloaded on any Nintendo Switch console linked to the account.
- What is the difference between Nintendo individual and family membership? A 12-Month Individual Membership to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is $49.99 USD, while a 12-Month Family Membership is $79.99 USD and can be used by up to eight Nintendo Account holders.
- Can I play my Animal Crossing on a different Switch? Yes, you can transfer your save data for Animal Crossing: New Horizons to another Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, or Nintendo Switch Lite system, either by transferring your full island save data or individual player data.