Will I Lose My Games if I Delete My Switch Account? The Ultimate Guide
The short answer is: Yes, deleting your Nintendo Account will result in the loss of all digital content purchased or acquired through that account. This includes digital games, in-app content, and any associated coins or rewards. It’s crucial to understand the implications before taking this irreversible step. Let’s delve into the specifics of how Nintendo Accounts, user profiles, and game ownership work on the Nintendo Switch.
Understanding Nintendo Accounts and User Profiles
It’s essential to differentiate between a Nintendo Account and a user profile on your Nintendo Switch. They are related but distinct.
- Nintendo Account: This is your overarching account with Nintendo, the one you use to make purchases on the eShop, access online services, and manage your My Nintendo rewards. Think of it as your central hub for all things Nintendo.
- User Profile: This is a profile created on your Nintendo Switch console itself. Multiple user profiles can exist on a single console, allowing different members of a household to have their own personalized experiences. A user profile can be linked to a Nintendo Account.
The key to understanding game ownership lies in the relationship between the Nintendo Account and the digital games purchased with it.
How Digital Games are Tied to Nintendo Accounts
When you purchase a digital game from the Nintendo eShop, that purchase is irrevocably tied to the Nintendo Account used to make the purchase. This means that regardless of which user profile on which Nintendo Switch you use, the game’s ownership remains with the Nintendo Account.
This has several important implications:
- Deleting a User Profile DOES NOT Delete Games: If you delete a user profile from your Switch, but the Nintendo Account used to purchase the games remains active, the games are not lost. Other user profiles on the same primary console can still access and play those games.
- Deleting a Nintendo Account DOES Delete Games: Conversely, if you delete the Nintendo Account that owns the games, all those digital games are effectively lost. They become inaccessible, and you will need to repurchase them if you wish to play them again.
Primary and Non-Primary Consoles
Nintendo also uses the concept of primary and non-primary consoles to manage digital game access.
- Primary Console: This is the first Nintendo Switch console you register with your Nintendo Account. On your primary console, any user profile can play games purchased by your Nintendo Account.
- Non-Primary Console: If you have multiple Nintendo Switch consoles and use the same Nintendo Account on more than one, only the Nintendo Account that purchased the game can play it on the non-primary console. Other user profiles on the non-primary console will not have access.
This distinction is important if you share your Nintendo Account with family members across multiple consoles.
What Happens to Save Data?
It’s also crucial to understand what happens to your save data when dealing with accounts and profiles:
- Save Data is Stored on the Console: Save data is stored directly on the Nintendo Switch console’s internal memory. It cannot be saved or copied to a microSD card (with some exceptions like Animal Crossing: New Horizons island backups via cloud save).
- Deleting a User Profile Deletes Save Data: Deleting a user profile will delete all save data associated with that profile. This data is irrecoverable unless you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription and have enabled Save Data Cloud backups.
- Save Data Cloud: A Nintendo Switch Online subscription allows you to back up your save data to the cloud. If you delete a user profile and later create a new one and link it to the same Nintendo Account, you can download your save data from the cloud (for compatible games).
The Importance of Understanding the Implications
Deleting a Nintendo Account or a user profile has significant consequences. It’s vital to carefully consider the implications before taking any action, especially if you have a large digital game library.
- Consider a Save Data Backup: Before deleting anything, ensure you have backed up your save data to the Save Data Cloud if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
- Double-Check Account Ownership: Verify which Nintendo Account is associated with your games before making any changes.
- Remember Primary Console Status: Understand which console is designated as your primary console, as this affects game access for other users.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of Nintendo Accounts, user profiles, and game ownership on the Nintendo Switch:
1. Can I transfer my digital games to another Nintendo Account?
No, digital game purchases and code redemptions are final and cannot be transferred to a different Nintendo Account. Always ensure you are logged into the correct account before making a purchase.
2. What happens if I unlink my Nintendo Account from my Switch?
Unlinking a Nintendo Account does not delete the account or any associated purchases. The account will still be available and can be re-linked to another user profile in the future. However, you will need an active Nintendo Account on a Nintendo Switch to actually play the games.
3. Can I recover a deleted Switch account?
Yes, you may reactivate your account within 30 days of deletion. After 30 days, the account is permanently deleted and cannot be restored.
4. Does factory resetting my Switch delete my account?
Factory resetting the Switch unlinks all Nintendo Accounts and deletes user profiles. However, you can relink the accounts afterward. Using “Initialize Console Without Deleting Save Data” will preserve your save data.
5. How do I unlink my Nintendo Switch account?
You cannot directly unlink a Nintendo Account from a user profile. You must delete the user profile to unlink the account.
6. Can I delete my Nintendo Account and make a new one with the same email?
No, a single email address can only be linked to one Nintendo Account. You cannot reuse an email address that is already registered.
7. Can two accounts download the same game on the Switch?
Yes, if the console is registered as the primary console for both Nintendo Accounts. All users on the primary console can play games purchased by any Nintendo Account registered on that console.
8. Are Switch games locked to an account?
Yes, digital games are tied to the Nintendo Account that purchased them. They are playable on any Nintendo Switch console where that account is logged in, but only fully accessible to all users on the primary console.
9. Will I lose my Nintendo Switch data if I log in with another console?
Save data is stored on the console’s system memory. To play with your latest save data on multiple systems, you’ll need to transfer the save data each time you use a different console.
10. Do accounts on the same Switch share games?
Yes, on the primary console. Any user on the primary console can play games purchased by any Nintendo Account registered to that console.
11. What does linking a Nintendo Account to a console do?
Linking a Nintendo Account allows you to access online game modes, online multiplayer, global rankings, DLC, and other online features.
12. How many Nintendo accounts can be linked to a console?
Up to 8 user profiles, each potentially linked to a different Nintendo Account, can be created on one Nintendo Switch console.
13. What happens when you delete your Play Games account (Android)?
This is unrelated to Nintendo Switch accounts. Deleting your Google Play Games account simply removes the app and associated data from your Android device.
14. How do I reset my Nintendo Switch without losing games?
Use the “Initialize Console Without Deleting Save Data” option in Maintenance Mode. This will remove user profiles and unlink accounts, but preserve your downloaded games and save data.
15. Can I merge 2 Nintendo Accounts?
No, Nintendo does not offer a service to merge two different Nintendo Accounts into one.
Conclusion
Deleting your Nintendo Account is a serious decision with significant consequences. While deleting a user profile is less impactful, understanding the relationship between Nintendo Accounts, user profiles, primary consoles, and save data is crucial for managing your digital game library on the Nintendo Switch. Always double-check account ownership and consider backing up your save data before making any changes. Explore more about the intersection of games and learning at the Games Learning Society: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. This non-profit organization helps create the conditions that allow games to thrive as powerful tools for teaching and learning.