What Happens When You Leave a Nintendo Family Group?
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Leaving a Nintendo Account Family Group has several immediate and long-term consequences. Primarily, you lose access to the shared benefits of the Nintendo Switch Online membership associated with that group. This includes the ability to play online multiplayer games, access the library of classic NES and SNES games, and utilize the Save Data Cloud feature. Furthermore, if you leave and join a new family group, a 12-month restriction may apply before you can join another one if you use a paid Google subscription.
Impact on Nintendo Switch Online Services
When you depart from a Nintendo Family Group, your access to the following services vanishes:
- Online Multiplayer: You will no longer be able to play games online with other players unless you purchase an individual Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- Classic Games Library: The expansive collection of classic NES and Super NES games becomes inaccessible.
- Save Data Cloud: Your game save data will no longer be automatically backed up to the cloud. It’s essential to ensure your saves are safely stored locally before leaving the group, if possible.
- Special Offers: Any exclusive deals and promotions reserved for Nintendo Switch Online members will no longer be available to you.
Leaving a Family Group: Step-by-Step
The process of leaving a family group is straightforward, but the implications should be carefully considered beforehand.
- Access Your Nintendo Account: Sign in to your Nintendo Account through a web browser.
- Navigate to Family Group: Select the “Family Group” option.
- Leave the Group: In the lower-right corner, you’ll find the “Leave this family group” option. Click this to initiate the departure.
Restrictions and Limitations
- Supervised Accounts: If your account is a Supervised Account (typically for users aged 12 and under), you cannot leave the family group independently. A parent or guardian within the group must remove the supervised status from your account first.
- Cool-down Period: If you leave a family group and join a new one, you won’t be able to join another family group for 12 months. The 12-month rule only applies if you use a paid Google subscription, such as Google One or YouTube Premium.
- Moving Child Accounts: Child accounts can be transferred to different admin accounts. The process involves the current admin initiating the transfer and the new admin accepting it.
- Shared Games: While family groups can share the benefits of Nintendo Switch Online, they don’t enable sharing of purchased digital games. Each user must purchase their own digital copies, or rely on physical game cartridges.
Important Considerations
- Think Before You Leave: Carefully weigh the benefits you’re relinquishing by leaving the family group, especially if you heavily rely on the Nintendo Switch Online services.
- Data Backup: Prioritize backing up any critical save data before leaving to prevent potential data loss.
- Alternative Memberships: Explore options like an individual Nintendo Switch Online membership if you intend to continue playing online or accessing classic games.
- Family Communication: Discuss the decision with the family group administrator and other members before leaving to ensure a smooth transition and minimize any potential disruptions.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a child leave a Nintendo family group?
No, a child with a Supervised Nintendo Account cannot leave a family group on their own. A parent or guardian within the family group must first remove the supervised status from the account.
2. Can you be in two Nintendo family groups at once?
No, an individual Nintendo Account can only be part of one family group at a time. Once you join a group, you must leave that group before joining another.
3. What is the maximum number of members in a Nintendo family group?
A Nintendo Account Family Group can include up to eight Nintendo Account users.
4. Can anyone in the family group purchase Nintendo Switch Online?
Yes, anyone in the family group can purchase the Nintendo Switch Online membership. The benefits will automatically apply to all members of the group, regardless of who made the purchase.
5. Does each family member need their own Nintendo Account to use the family membership?
Yes, each family member must have their own Nintendo Account to benefit from the family membership. Accounts for children aged 12 and under can be created and managed by the family group’s admin (aged 18+).
6. What happens to a Nintendo child account when they turn 18?
While the account holder can now make unapproved purchases, a child account will not automatically transform into a general Nintendo Account upon turning 18. It will remain classified as a child account managed by the family group admin.
7. Can you share digital games within a Nintendo family group?
No, you cannot directly share purchased digital games within a Nintendo Family Group. While the family membership provides shared access to Nintendo Switch Online services, each member must purchase their own digital games.
8. How do I remove a family member from my Nintendo family group?
As the family group admin, you can remove members through your Nintendo Account settings. Navigate to the “Family Group” section, select the member you want to remove, and choose the “Remove from Family Group” option.
9. How do I transfer a child’s Nintendo Account to another family group?
Complete These Steps:
- Sign in to your Nintendo Account.
- Go to the “Transfer to another family group” page.
- Choose the child account you want to move to a different admin and select OK.
- Enter the email address registered with the new admin’s Nintendo Account and select OK.
10. What are the benefits of a Nintendo family membership?
The key benefits include:
- Access to online multiplayer gaming for all members.
- A library of over 100 classic NES and Super NES games.
- Save Data Cloud backup for game progress.
- Exclusive special offers and deals.
- Access to the Nintendo Switch Online app for voice chat and other features.
11. How do I lift parental controls restrictions from a child’s Nintendo Account?
To lift parental controls, select “Family group” from the account settings. Select the Nintendo Account that you want to stop supervising. Select “Lift parental controls restrictions”. This restriction can only be lifted for users (age 13 or over) who have registered an email address to their Nintendo Account.
12. What is a primary console on Nintendo Switch, and how does it affect game sharing?
A primary console is the first Nintendo Switch you use to access the Nintendo eShop with your Nintendo Account. Any user on that console can play your purchased downloadable content. If you change your primary console, other users on your previous primary console will no longer be able to play your digital games unless you are actively playing them on that console.
13. What happens if I delete a child account on Nintendo?
Deleting a child account will permanently remove it from the system. You can only reactivate within 30 days after deleting it.
14. Are there any free trials available for Nintendo Switch Online?
Yes, occasionally, Nintendo offers free trials for Nintendo Switch Online. These trials allow you to experience the benefits of the service for a limited time without any cost.
15. Can I use the Nintendo family membership on multiple Nintendo Switch consoles within the same household?
Yes, the family membership works across multiple Nintendo Switch consoles within the same household. Each family member can use their individual Nintendo Account on their own console and still access the benefits of the shared membership.