How do I share games between switches?
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To share games between switches, you need to link your Nintendo Account to the non-primary Nintendo Switch systems that you wish to play your digital games on, and then redownload the games or content you want to access on each Nintendo Switch system. This allows you to play digital games that you’ve purchased with your Nintendo Account on any Nintendo Switch console, with the primary console having the ability to play games without needing to be logged into the Nintendo Account that made the purchase.
Understanding Game Sharing on Nintendo Switch
Digital Game Sharing
To share digital games between Nintendo Switch consoles, you need to have a Nintendo Account linked to each console. The primary console can play games without needing to be logged into the Nintendo Account, while non-primary consoles require the Nintendo Account to be logged in to play games. You can have multiple Nintendo Switch consoles linked to the same Nintendo Account, but only one can be set as the primary console.
Physical Game Sharing
Physical games, on the other hand, can be shared between Nintendo Switch consoles without the need for a Nintendo Account. Since physical games are not tied to an account, you can play them on any Nintendo Switch console, and the save data will be stored on the console itself, not the game cartridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can multiple Nintendo Switches share games?: Yes, you can play digital games that you’ve purchased with your Nintendo Account on any Nintendo Switch console.
- Can you share physical games between switches?: Yes, you can share physical games between Nintendo Switch consoles, and each console will have different save data.
- Can I have 2 switches on one account?: Yes, you can link your Nintendo Account to multiple Nintendo Switch consoles, but only one can be set as the primary console.
- Can you connect two Nintendo Switches together?: Yes, you can link together up to eight Nintendo Switch family systems via local wireless for couch co-op in compatible games.
- Can you transfer digital Switch games to another account?: No, digital game purchases and code redemptions are final and cannot be transferred to a different Nintendo Account.
- Can I share my digital Switch games with family?: Yes, but a secondary Switch must have internet access to play games, and only one person can play a shared game at a time.
- Can you transfer Switch games from one SD card to another?: Yes, you can transfer game data from one microSD card to another by inserting the card into a microSD card reader/writer and dragging the data to your computer.
- What happens to my downloaded games if my Switch breaks?: Your digital games are tied to your Nintendo Account, so you can redownload them on a new Nintendo Switch console.
- Are Switch games tied to the console or account?: Digital games are tied to the Nintendo Account that made the purchase, while physical games are not tied to an account.
- What happens to your games if you buy a new Switch?: You can transfer your Nintendo Account and digital games to a new Nintendo Switch console and make it your account’s primary console.
- Do I have to buy games again if I get a new Switch?: No, you can redownload your previously purchased digital games on your new Nintendo Switch console.
- What is the max SD card for Nintendo Switch?: The maximum microSD card size for Nintendo Switch is 2TB.
- How many games can a 128GB SD card hold Nintendo Switch?: A 128GB SD card can hold approximately 19 Nintendo Switch games, depending on the size of the games.
- Can you play 8 player Mario Kart with 2 switches?: No, the only match-ups possible with two Switches are four player with two players on one Switch each or four players on one Switch and four players on another running entirely separate games.
- Why can’t other accounts on my Switch play my games?: This is because the primary console for your Nintendo Account is set to a different console, and you need to make the console you’re using the primary console for your Nintendo Account to play games without needing to be logged in.