How to Link a Nintendo Account to a Nintendo Switch Console

Instructions on linking a Nintendo Account to an existing user on a Nintendo Switch console.

Important The ability to use a Nintendo Network ID, Facebook, or Twitter to sign in to an existing Nintendo Account or to create a new Nintendo Account has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you are having difficulties signing in to your Nintendo Account and previously used one of these services, please refer to the following:

• Unable to Sign In to Nintendo Account Using Nintendo Network ID

• Unable to Sign In to Nintendo Account Using Facebook or Twitter

Additional Information:

• For help creating a new user on Nintendo Switch, click here.

• Once a Nintendo Account is linked to the user, the console's online features will be available.

• Nintendo Accounts for children (age 12 and under) must be created through a supervising account. Once the child account has been created, it can be linked to a Nintendo Switch console.

Complete These Steps:

1. At any point after you have created a user, select "System Settings” on the HOME Menu.

2. Scroll down to highlight "User”, then select the appropriate user to access your User Settings.

3. Select "Link to a Nintendo Account”.

Do you have an existing Nintendo Account or do you need to create a new one?

Link an existing Nintendo Account

1. Select the sign-in information for your Nintendo Account:

   • "Sign in using an email address or Sign-In ID" - Enter the email address (for users 13 and older) or Sign-In ID and password associated with your account, then select "Sign in”.

     • If you have set up 2-step verification for your Nintendo Account, you will also be prompted to enter your Google Authenticator code.

   • "Quick sign in via smartphone": Use a smart device to sign in to your Nintendo Account using your Nintendo Account password or other account sign-in information (Apple or Google) and receive a code to enter on your Nintendo Switch console.

2. Select "Link" to link your Nintendo Account to the user on the console.

   • Once the Nintendo Account is linked, it can't be unlinked or changed for that user.

3. You will receive a confirmation message that your Nintendo Account is now linked to your user. Select "OK” to return to the system settings.

Important: If your Nintendo Account was previously linked to a different Nintendo Switch console, the first console may still be set as your primary console. There are differences with how downloadable content can be accessed between your primary console and a non-primary console.

Create and link a new Nintendo Account

1. Select "create a Nintendo Account” to set up a new Nintendo Account.

   • Optional - On the following screen, you can request an email with instructions to link to your Nintendo Account using a verification code.

2. On your PC or smart device, visit http://accounts.nintendo.com and create a Nintendo Account.

3. Once you have created the Nintendo Account, return to the Nintendo Switch console and select "Sign in”.

4. Select the sign-in information for your Nintendo Account:

   • "Sign in using an email address or Sign-In ID" - Enter the email address (for users 13 and older) or Sign-In ID and password associated with your account, then select "Sign in”.

     • If you have set up 2-step verification for your Nintendo Account, you will also be prompted to enter your Google Authenticator code.

   • "Quick sign in via smartphone": Use a smart device to sign in to your Nintendo Account using your Nintendo Account password or other account sign-in information (Apple or Google) and receive a code to enter on your Nintendo Switch console.

5. Select "Link" to link your Nintendo Account to the user on the console.

   • Once the Nintendo Account is linked, it can't be unlinked or changed for that user.

6. You will receive a confirmation message that your Nintendo Account is now linked to your user. Select "OK” to return to the system settings.