How to Unlink Your Nintendo Account from Your Switch: A Comprehensive Guide
So, you’re looking to sever the digital connection between your Nintendo Account and your Nintendo Switch console. Whether you’re upgrading, selling your old console, or simply want to reorganize your digital life, unlinking your account is a straightforward process. Let’s dive in!
Here’s the direct, step-by-step breakdown of how to unlink your Nintendo Account from your Nintendo Switch:
- Power on your Nintendo Switch console and navigate to the System Settings (the gear icon) on the HOME Menu.
- Scroll down and select Users.
- Choose the user account that is currently linked to the Nintendo Account you want to unlink.
- Scroll down and select Unlink Nintendo Account.
- You’ll be prompted to confirm your decision. Read the warning carefully, as deleting a user account will delete all save data associated to the account.
- Select Unlink to proceed. If your account is set to require a password, you will also need to enter your Nintendo Account password to confirm.
And that’s it! Your Nintendo Account is now unlinked from that specific user profile on your Nintendo Switch. However, remember a crucial point: this process only unlinks the account from the user profile on the Switch. It does not delete your Nintendo Account or any of your purchased games.
Understanding the Nuances of Unlinking
It’s important to grasp what unlinking actually does and doesn’t do. Unlinking removes the association between a specific user profile on your Nintendo Switch and your Nintendo Account. This means:
- That user profile can no longer access online services associated with that Nintendo Account, such as online multiplayer, eShop purchases, or cloud saves (if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription).
- Anyone using that user profile will no longer have access to digital games purchased with that Nintendo Account, unless your console is designated as the primary console for that account.
- Your Nintendo Account itself remains intact. You can still access it through other consoles, the Nintendo website, or the Nintendo Switch Online app on your smartphone.
- Purchased digital games are still tied to your Nintendo Account and can be re-downloaded on a primary console linked to that account.
- The save data associated with that specific user profile is usually deleted.
Primary vs. Non-Primary Consoles
Understanding the distinction between primary and non-primary consoles is key to managing your digital games across multiple Nintendo Switch systems. Your primary console is the one you’ve designated as the main console for your Nintendo Account. This console has full access to all your digital purchases, and any user on that console can play those games.
On a non-primary console, only the Nintendo Account that made the purchase can play the games, and an internet connection is required to verify the license each time the game is launched. Unlinking your account from a console effectively makes that console a non-primary console.
Precautions Before Unlinking
Before you rush to unlink your account, take a moment to consider these crucial points:
- Back Up Your Saves: Ensure your game save data is backed up to the cloud (if you have Nintendo Switch Online) or consider transferring it to another console or a microSD card. Unlinking the account will likely result in the deletion of save data associated with the user profile.
- Understand the Implications: Be sure you understand the consequences of unlinking, especially if you share your console with family or friends. Their access to digital games linked to your account may be affected.
- Consider Alternatives: If you’re simply trying to switch user profiles or manage your digital games, there might be alternative solutions that don’t involve unlinking your account. For example, you can create multiple user profiles on your Nintendo Switch and link each to a separate Nintendo Account.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of unlinking your Nintendo Account from your Nintendo Switch:
1. Will I lose my digital games if I unlink my Nintendo Account?
No, unlinking your Nintendo Account from your Nintendo Switch does not delete your digital games. Your purchased games are tied to your Nintendo Account, not the console itself. You can re-download them on a primary console linked to your account.
2. What happens to my save data when I unlink my account?
Generally, unlinking your Nintendo Account and/or deleting the associated user account will delete the save data associated with the account. Save data cannot be restored once it is deleted, so backup your saves to the cloud where applicable.
3. Can I unlink my Nintendo Account and link it to a different user on the same Switch?
Yes, you can unlink your Nintendo Account from one user profile on your Nintendo Switch and link it to a different user profile. However, remember that once an account is linked, you cannot change your user account to link to a different Nintendo Account. The original associated user account must be deleted to unlink the Nintendo Account from the Nintendo Switch console.
4. Can I have multiple Nintendo Accounts on one Switch?
Yes, you can link up to 8 Nintendo Accounts to a single Nintendo Switch console.
5. How do I make sure my game saves are backed up?
If you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, most games will automatically back up your save data to the cloud. You can check which games support cloud saves in the System Settings under Data Management > Save Data Cloud.
6. Is it possible to recover a deleted user profile and its save data?
No, once a user profile and its associated save data are deleted, it is not possible to recover it.
7. What happens if I sell my Switch without unlinking my Nintendo Account?
If you sell your Nintendo Switch without unlinking your Nintendo Account, the new owner may be able to access your account and any digital games you’ve purchased. It’s crucial to unlink your account and factory reset the console before selling it.
8. Can someone else use my digital games on my Switch if I unlink my account?
If your Nintendo Switch is designated as your primary console, any user on that console can play your digital games, even after you unlink your account from a specific user profile. On non-primary consoles, only the account holder can play.
9. How do I designate my Nintendo Switch as my primary console?
Your Nintendo Switch is automatically designated as your primary console when you first download a digital game from the Nintendo eShop. You can change your primary console by de-registering your current primary console through the Nintendo eShop on another Nintendo Switch linked to your account. When you download the first digital game from the Nintendo eShop, the Nintendo Switch will automatically become your primary console.
10. Does unlinking my Nintendo Account affect my Nintendo Switch Online subscription?
Yes, unlinking your Nintendo Account from a user profile will prevent that profile from accessing Nintendo Switch Online services, such as online multiplayer and cloud saves, unless another account on the console has a subscription.
11. What is a Nintendo Network ID (NNID), and how does it relate to Nintendo Accounts?
A Nintendo Network ID (NNID) was used on older Nintendo consoles like the Wii U and 3DS. While Nintendo Accounts are now the primary account system, you may have linked your NNID to your Nintendo Account. The NNID’s country of residence must match the country of the Nintendo Account when linking the accounts.
12. How do I unlink my Nintendo Network ID from my Nintendo Account?
Select User information, then Linked accounts to view the accounts that are currently linked to your Nintendo Account. To unlink an NNID from your Nintendo Account, click Edit then click the checkmark next to Nintendo Network ID to remove the link.
13. Is it possible to transfer games and save data between Nintendo Accounts?
Unfortunately, Nintendo does not currently offer a direct way to transfer digital games or save data between Nintendo Accounts.
14. Can I merge two Nintendo Accounts into one?
No, it is not possible to merge two separate Nintendo Accounts into a single account.
15. Where can I learn more about the impact of gaming on learning and development?
For more information on the impact of gaming on learning and development, you can visit the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. GamesLearningSociety.org is dedicated to research and understanding of how games can be used for educational purposes.
We hope this comprehensive guide has answered all your questions about unlinking your Nintendo Account from your Nintendo Switch. Remember to take precautions, understand the implications, and always prioritize the security of your account.