How to Create and Use a Custom Nintendo Switch Online User Icon (Missions & Rewards)

In this article, you'll learn how to redeem My Nintendo Platinum Points for icon elements that can be used to create custom user icons exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online users.

Information

Users with Nintendo Accounts who have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership can redeem their My Nintendo Platinum Points for various icon elements to use to create custom icons for their Nintendo Switch user profile.

My Nintendo Platinum Points are earned by completing My Nintendo missions - if you have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership, you have more opportunities to earn points by using the Nintendo Switch Online service.

You must have an active, paid Nintendo Switch Online membership to redeem icon elements. However, once an element has been added to your icon collection, you will not lose access to it—even if you no longer have an active membership.

What to do

1. Ensure that your Nintendo Switch has the most recent system update.

2. Launch Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu and select your User.

3. Select Missions & Rewards.

   • Currently available icon elements are displayed on the right.

   • Each month will feature a different theme. Icon elements will be refreshed each week.

4. Press the L or R Button to scroll through the different games and the associated user icon elements that are currently available.

5. Choose the desired icon element and select Redeem. The new icon element will be added to your Icon collection.

   • There are 3 types of icon elements: Character, Background, and Frame.

   • Generic frames and background colors are available without using Platinum Points, but you can also redeem Platinum Points for frames and backgrounds specific to the game in question.

   • Icon elements cannot be combined with the user icons available through Nintendo Switch System Settings or your User Page.

   • Icon elements can be used only with the elements within the same game. For example, you cannot combine Animal Crossing: New Horizon icon elements with Super Mario Odyssey icon elements.

6. When you have redeemed all the desired elements, select the icon in the top right of the screen to open your Icon Collection.

   • In the Icon Collection, press the L or R Button to switch between the "Icons" screen, which shows any special icons you have already created, and the "Icon Elements" screen, which shows your redeemed elements.

7. There are two ways to create a new icon:

   • On the "Icons" screen, select the + icon and choose the game you want to use elements from. A few suggested icons using elements from that game will appear. You can use one of these, or select Create Your Icon to choose other elements to use.

   • From the "Icon Elements" screen, choose the game you want to use elements from, then select an element to use and select Use to Create Icon. A few suggested icons using that element will appear. You can use one of these, or select Create Your Icon to choose other elements to use.

8. Choose the frame, character, and background you would like to use for your custom icon, then select OK to create the icon.

   • Each icon element can only be used with other elements from the same game, or with the generic frames and backgrounds.

   • If the character element you chose already has a background, you may not be able to use a separate background element with it.

9. The newly created icon will be added to your collection.

   • A max of 100 user icons can be saved to your Icon Collection.

10. Once created, you can choose the icon from your Icon Collection to set the icon for your user profile.

    • Custom user icons created in this way can only be set as your user icon through Nintendo Switch Online on the HOME Menu—they will not appear as options when changing your user icon in the System Settings or your User Page.

    • Once you have created a custom icon, you will still be able to access and use it even if you no longer have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.

    • Created icons are managed per Nintendo Account. If you have linked the same Nintendo Account to multiple Nintendo Switch consoles, the icons will appear across those devices.

    • You cannot share the icon elements you have redeemed with other Nintendo Accounts.