Why can’t I link my Nintendo Account to my switch?
You can’t link your Nintendo Account to your Nintendo Switch if the date of birth listed for the Nintendo Network ID does not match the date of birth for the Nintendo Account you’re trying to link to, or if the country of residence setting does not match that of the Nintendo Account. Additionally, if you’re trying to link a Nintendo Account that has already been linked to another user on the same Nintendo Switch console, you won’t be able to do so, as a Nintendo Account cannot be linked to more than one user on a single Nintendo Switch console.
Understanding Nintendo Accounts and Network IDs
To resolve issues with linking your Nintendo Account to your Nintendo Switch, it’s essential to understand the difference between Nintendo Accounts and Nintendo Network IDs. A Nintendo Account is used for Nintendo Switch online services, including the Nintendo eShop, smart device applications, and the My Nintendo rewards programme. On the other hand, a Nintendo Network ID is used for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS consoles.
Linking Nintendo Accounts to Multiple Consoles
You can link your Nintendo Account to multiple Nintendo Switch consoles, but you can only register one primary console per Nintendo Account. This means that you can play digital games you’ve purchased on any Nintendo Switch console that has been linked to your Nintendo Account, but you can only access certain features and play games without restrictions on your primary console.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do I link my existing account to my Nintendo Switch?
To link your existing Nintendo Account to your Nintendo Switch, select System Settings on the HOME Menu, scroll down to highlight Users, then select the appropriate user account to access the Profile Settings and select Link Nintendo Account.
Q2: Why can’t I link an existing Nintendo Network ID?
You can’t link an existing Nintendo Network ID if the country of residence setting does not match that of the Nintendo Account you’re trying to link to, or if the date of birth listed for the Nintendo Network ID does not match the date of birth for the Nintendo Account.
Q3: How many times can you link a Nintendo Account to a switch?
You can link up to 8 Nintendo Accounts to a single Nintendo Switch console.
Q4: Why can’t I link my Nintendo Account to Pokémon Home?
You may not be able to link your Nintendo Account to Pokémon Home if you have Pokémon Home open on your Nintendo Switch when attempting to log in, or if there’s a technical error.
Q5: How do I link my Nintendo Account to Pokémon HOME on switch?
To link your Nintendo Account to Pokémon HOME on your Nintendo Switch, launch the Pokémon HOME app, go through the first-time setup, and link the same Nintendo Account that you’re using with the Nintendo Switch version of Pokémon HOME.
Q6: Can you use 1 Nintendo Account on 2 switches?
Yes, you can link your Nintendo Account to multiple Nintendo Switch consoles, but you can only register one primary console per Nintendo Account.
Q7: Can 2 switches use the same account?
Yes, you can link your Nintendo Account to multiple Nintendo Switch consoles, but you can only activate one primary console per Nintendo Account.
Q8: Can 2 users share a Nintendo Account?
No, as a rule, games store save data by user account, so if you share your console with your family, it’s recommended to create a user for each person.
Q9: Is My Nintendo Network ID My Nintendo account?
No, Nintendo Accounts and Nintendo Network IDs are used for different purposes, and a Nintendo Account is used for Nintendo Switch online services, while a Nintendo Network ID is used for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS consoles.
Q10: Why does it say My Nintendo account is already linked?
A Nintendo Account cannot be linked to more than one user on a single Nintendo Switch console, so if the Nintendo Account you’re trying to use has already been linked to another user, you’ll need to create your own Nintendo Account and link it to the new user.
Q11: How do I merge Nintendo ID?
To merge your Nintendo Network ID with your Nintendo Account, sign in to your Nintendo Account on accounts.nintendo.com, select the Shop menu, and then select Merge Funds under your Nintendo Network ID balance.
Q12: Why is my switch not the primary console?
To set your Nintendo Switch as the primary console, use your Nintendo Account to access the Nintendo eShop on the console, and the system will automatically be set as the primary console for your Nintendo Account.
Q13: Can 2 accounts share Nintendo switch online?
Yes, purchasing a Nintendo Switch Online Family or Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Family membership provides the Nintendo Switch Online service to everyone in the purchaser’s Nintendo Account family group, up to 8 Nintendo Account users.
Q14: How do I transfer games from one switch to another?
To transfer games from one Nintendo Switch to another, select Users, then Transfer Your User and Save Data on both systems, and follow the on-screen instructions.
Q15: How do I add my child’s account to Nintendo Switch?
To add your child’s account to your Nintendo Switch, select Family group from the menu, then Add member, and Create an account for a child to add a child under 12 to your family group.