How to Set or Change the Primary Nintendo Switch Console for a Nintendo Account (2024)

Complete these steps

You can set one primary console per Nintendo Account. If you already have a primary console registered, follow the steps to change the primary console.

• Setting the primary Nintendo Switch console for a Nintendo Account
  1. Link your Nintendo Account on the Nintendo Switch console you want to set as your primary console.
     • How to create and link a new Nintendo Account to Nintendo Switch
       1. Select System Settings on the HOME Menu.
       2. Scroll down to highlight Users, then select the appropriate user account to access the Profile Settings.
       3. Select Link Nintendo Account.
       4. Select Create a new account.
          • Optional: You have the option to select Send account-creation instructions via email to receive steps to link your Nintendo Account with a confirmation code. You can learn more about adding an account with a confirmation code or continue with these steps.
       5. Visit the Nintendo Account website on your PC or smart device to create a Nintendo Account.
       6. Return to your Nintendo Switch console and click Sign in.
       7. Sign in to your Nintendo Account.
          • If you have forgotten your Nintendo Account sign-in information, you can recover or reset your sign-in information.
       8. Click OK on the confirmation message to return to the system settings.

       For more information, see How to Link a Nintendo Account to Nintendo Switch.

       See Also

       25 Years Later, Super Smash Bros. Is Bigger Than Ever. Where Does It Go From Here? - IGNMinecraft Bedrock 1.20.80 Patch Notes - Minecraft Guide - IGNFor the knowledgeable, how does Switch's GPU compare to Wii U's?

     • How to link an existing Nintendo Account to Nintendo Switch
       1. Select System Settings on the HOME Menu.
       2. Scroll down to highlight Users, then select the user you want to link to to access the Profile Settings.
       3. Select Link Nintendo Account.
       4. Sign in to your Nintendo Account.
       5. Select Link to link your Nintendo Account to the user account on the console. Once the Nintendo Account is linked, it cannot be unlinked or changed for that user account.
       6. Click OK on the confirmation message to return to the system settings.

       For more information, including how to create and link a new Nintendo Account, see How to Link a Nintendo Account to Nintendo Switch.

  2. Select Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu to launch the Nintendo eShop.
  3. Select your Nintendo Account to register your primary console.
• Changing the primary Nintendo Switch console for your Nintendo Account
  1. Deactivate the current primary console.
     • How to deactivate the primary console

       The following steps must be done on your current primary console.

       1. Select Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu to launch the Nintendo eShop.
       2. Select the Nintendo Account you want to deactivate on the console.
       3. Select the picture of your icon in the upper-right corner to access your Account Information.
       4. Scroll down to the Primary Console status.
       5. Select Deregister twice to confirm. If your account is set to require a password, you will also need to enter your Nintendo Account password to confirm.
       6. Repeat these steps for any additional Nintendo Accounts that you wish to deactivate from this console.
       7. The next time you connect to the Nintendo Switch eShop, the console you use to connect will automatically be set as your primary console.

       For more information, see How to Deactivate a Nintendo Switch Console.

     • Don’t have access to current primary console

       Note: Deactivating a primary console through the Shop Menu website can only be done once per year. If you have already deactivated through the website in the past year, and you do not have the primary console available, please contact us for support.

       1. Using a web browser, visit the Shop Menu (ec.nintendo.com/my) website.
       2. Sign in to the Nintendo Account you wish to deactivate.
       3. Scroll down and select Deregister Primary Console.
       4. Enter your Nintendo Account password.
       5. Select Deregister twice to confirm.
       6. The next time you connect to the Nintendo eShop from a Nintendo Switch console, the console you use to connect will automatically be set as your primary console.

       For more information, please see How to Deactivate a Nintendo Account's Primary Nintendo Switch Console.

  2. On the Nintendo Switch console that will be the new primary console, link your Nintendo Account to a new or existing user account, if you haven't already.
     • How to link an existing Nintendo Account to Nintendo Switch
       1. Select System Settings on the HOME Menu.
       2. Scroll down to highlight Users, then select the user you want to link to to access the Profile Settings.
       3. Select Link Nintendo Account.
       4. Sign in to your Nintendo Account.
       5. Select Link to link your Nintendo Account to the user account on the console. Once the Nintendo Account is linked, it cannot be unlinked or changed for that user account.
       6. Click OK on the confirmation message to return to the system settings.

       For more information, including how to create and link a new Nintendo Account, see How to Link a Nintendo Account to Nintendo Switch.

  3. Use your Nintendo Account to access the Nintendo eShop on the console that you want to be the primary console. The system will automatically be set as the primary console for your Nintendo Account.
     • To confirm it's updated, check the Primary Console setting in your Nintendo eShop Account Information.
  4. If you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, download your Save Data Cloud backup files as needed.
  5. If you no longer have access to the previous system (traded in, stolen, etc.), we recommend that you change your Nintendo Account password to make sure your account isn't accessible on the previous system.

Additional information

• Anyone that uses the primary console for your Nintendo Account can play the digital games that you’ve purchased with that Nintendo Account.
• When you sign in to your Nintendo Account on non-primary consoles, you will still be able to access digital games purchased with your Nintendo Account. However, other players will not be able to access your games on the non-primary console. Learn more about the differences between a Primary and Non-Primary Nintendo Switch Console.
• Changing the primary console does not automatically transfer your save data from one system to the other. To transfer your save data to another system, read How to Transfer Your Save Data To a Nearby Nintendo Switch System, or, if you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, you can use Save Data Cloud backup to access the save data for compatible games from multiple consoles.