Nintendo Switch · Accounts & Family

Link a Nintendo Account and manage local user profiles

Each person using the console gets their own local user profile, which can be linked to a Nintendo Account for online play, eShop purchases, save data cloud backup, and Nintendo Switch Online membership.

What you should know

  • Create or select a profile from the user icon on the Home Menu, then go to System Settings > Users to add, edit, or remove profiles.
  • Link a profile to a Nintendo Account under Users > [profile name] > Link Nintendo Account, either by scanning a QR code with a phone or entering login details directly.
  • eShop purchases, downloadable content, and Nintendo Switch Online membership are tied to whichever Nintendo Account made the purchase, not to the console itself.
  • A Nintendo Account can be linked to more than one console, but only one profile per console can use it as the primary account for purchases at a time.

Why it matters

A properly linked Nintendo Account is what protects purchases, save data, and online access if the console is ever lost, stolen, or replaced — without it, eShop content and cloud saves can't be recovered onto a new system.

Best practices

  • Turn on two-step verification for the Nintendo Account from a web browser to protect purchases and linked payment methods.
  • Give each family member their own local profile instead of sharing one, so playtime, save data, and friend lists stay separate.
  • Keep the email address on the Nintendo Account current so password reset and purchase confirmation emails actually reach you.

Common problems and fixes

'This Nintendo Account is already linked to a profile' error
Unlink the account from the old profile first (Users > profile > Nintendo Account Settings > Deactivate this Console) if you're setting up a replacement Switch.
Forgot the Nintendo Account password
Use the 'Forgot your password?' link on the Nintendo Account sign-in screen or reset it from a browser at accounts.nintendo.com.

Tips and tricks

  • Add a child profile without linking it to an existing adult's Nintendo Account, then create a separate Nintendo Account for the child so purchases and parental controls stay properly scoped to them.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Nintendo Account to use the console at all?

No — a local profile works for offline single-player, but online play, eShop purchases, and cloud saves all require a linked Nintendo Account.