How to Gameshare on the Nintendo Switch

What is Gamesharing?

Gamesharing on the Nintendo Switch is a feature that allows players to share their digital game library with friends or family members. It enables multiple Switch consoles to access and play the same games without the need for purchasing multiple copies.

When gamesharing, one console is designated as the “primary console,” which is linked to the Nintendo Account that owns the games. The owner can then set up a “secondary console” for a friend or family member to access and play the shared games.

This feature is especially useful for households with multiple Switch consoles or individuals who want to play games with friends who may not have their own copies. It offers a cost-effective solution as it eliminates the need to purchase multiple copies of the same game.

Gamesharing also allows players to enjoy multiplayer experiences even if they are physically apart. By sharing games, friends can play co-op or competitive multiplayer games together, even if they are playing on different consoles.

It is important to note that gamesharing is only available for digital games and not physical cartridges. Additionally, not all games may support this feature, so it’s essential to check the game’s compatibility before attempting to gameshare.

Requirements for Gamesharing on the Nintendo Switch

Before you can start gamesharing on the Nintendo Switch, there are a few requirements that you need to meet:

You will need a Nintendo Switch console, either the original Nintendo Switch or the Nintendo Switch Lite.
You and the person you want to gameshare with must each have a separate Nintendo Account.
Both consoles must be connected to the internet to access the Nintendo eShop and download games.
You will need access to a computer or a mobile device with internet access to set up and manage your Nintendo Account.
You will need at least one digital game that you want to share with the secondary console.

It’s important to ensure that both consoles meet these requirements before proceeding with the gamesharing process. Additionally, keep in mind that gamesharing can only be done between two consoles and two Nintendo Accounts; it cannot be extended to more consoles or accounts.

If you or the person you want to gameshare with do not have a Nintendo Account, you will need to create one. Nintendo Accounts are free and can be created on the official Nintendo website or through the Nintendo Switch console.

Once you have confirmed that all the necessary requirements are met, you can move on to the next steps of setting up your Nintendo Account and enabling primary and secondary consoles.

Setting up a Nintendo Account

Before you can begin gamesharing on the Nintendo Switch, you will need to set up a Nintendo Account. Here’s how you can do it:

Using a computer or a mobile device, go to the official Nintendo Account website.
Click on the “Create a Nintendo Account” option.
Fill in the required information, including your email address, date of birth, and password.
Agree to the terms and conditions, and then click on “Submit.”
Check your email for a verification link from Nintendo and follow the instructions to verify your account.
Once your account is verified, you can sign in to your Nintendo Account on your Nintendo Switch console.

Setting up a Nintendo Account is relatively simple and only takes a few minutes. It is essential to have a Nintendo Account to access the Nintendo eShop and download digital games that can be shared with other consoles.

After setting up your Nintendo Account, you can proceed to the next steps of enabling the primary console and setting up a secondary console to begin gamesharing on your Nintendo Switch.

Enabling Primary Console on Your Nintendo Account

To gameshare on the Nintendo Switch, you need to designate one console as the primary console linked to your Nintendo Account. Here’s how you can enable the primary console:

Ensure that you have signed in to your Nintendo Account on the primary console.
From the Home Menu, navigate to the System Settings.
Scroll down and select “Users,” then choose your account.
Select “Primary Console” and confirm the selection.
Once you have enabled the primary console, any profile on the primary console can access your digital game library and play the games associated with your Nintendo Account, even if they are logged in with a different user profile.

Enabling the primary console is a crucial step in the gamesharing process, as this allows you to share your games with a secondary console. It also grants access to your games even if you are not logged in on the primary console.

Keep in mind that you can only have one primary console associated with your Nintendo Account at a time. If you want to change the primary console, you will need to disable the previous primary console and designate a new one following the same steps mentioned above.

With your primary console set up, you can now proceed to setting up a secondary console and authorizing it to access your shared games.

Setting up a Secondary Console

Once you have enabled the primary console linked to your Nintendo Account, you can proceed to setting up a secondary console for gamesharing on the Nintendo Switch. Here’s how you can set up a secondary console:

On the secondary console, ensure that you are signed out of your Nintendo Account.
Access the Nintendo eShop by selecting the eShop icon from the Home Menu.
Scroll down and select the user profile you want to link to your Nintendo Account.
Choose “Link Nintendo Account” and enter your Nintendo Account login information.
After successfully linking your Nintendo Account, you will gain access to the shared games associated with your primary console.

Setting up a secondary console allows you or another person to access and play the shared games from the primary console. This console does not need to be the same model as the primary console; it can be either the original Nintendo Switch or the Nintendo Switch Lite.

Multiple user profiles can be created on the secondary console, allowing different individuals to access the shared games. Each user will need to link their Nintendo Account to the secondary console using their own login information.

It’s important to note that setting up a secondary console does not remove your ability to access and play your shared games on the primary console. Both the primary and secondary consoles can independently access the shared games linked to your Nintendo Account.

With your secondary console set up, the next step is to authorize it to access your shared games and start enjoying the gamesharing experience on your Nintendo Switch.

Authorizing a Secondary Console

After setting up a secondary console, you need to authorize it to access your shared games on the Nintendo Switch. Here’s how you can authorize a secondary console:

On your primary console, ensure that you are signed in to your Nintendo Account.
Access the Nintendo eShop using the user profile associated with your Nintendo Account.
Select your user profile icon in the top right corner of the eShop.
Choose “Nintendo Account Settings” from the dropdown menu.
Scroll down and select “Primary Console” from the options.
Choose “Deregister” to remove the primary console status from your secondary console.
On your secondary console, access the Nintendo eShop using the user profile that is linked to your Nintendo Account.
Verify that the shared games from the primary console are accessible on the secondary console.

By deregistering the primary console on your secondary console and verifying the accessibility of the shared games, you have successfully authorized the secondary console to access and play the games associated with your Nintendo Account.

It’s essential to understand that the primary console will always have access to the shared games, even if a secondary console is authorized. However, on the secondary console, you will only be able to access and play the shared games when logged in with the user profile linked to your Nintendo Account.

With the secondary console authorized, you can now start sharing or accessing games and enjoy the gamesharing feature on the Nintendo Switch.

Sharing or Accessing Games on a Secondary Console

Once you have authorized a secondary console to access your shared games on the Nintendo Switch, you can start sharing or accessing the games. Here’s how you can share or access games on a secondary console:

On the secondary console, ensure that you are signed in with the user profile linked to your Nintendo Account.
Access the Nintendo eShop and navigate to the “Redownload” section.
Find the shared games that you want to download and play on the secondary console.
Select the game and choose “Download” to begin the download process.
Once the game is downloaded, you can access and play it on the secondary console.
Any progress or save data made on the secondary console will be saved locally on that console and will not affect the progress or save data on the primary console.

Sharing games on a secondary console grants the ability to play the shared games without the need for purchasing additional copies. This allows you and others to enjoy the same games simultaneously on different consoles.

It’s important to note that while the shared games can be accessed and played on the secondary console, they cannot be played simultaneously on both the primary and secondary consoles using the same Nintendo Account.

Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that any downloadable content (DLC) or additional content associated with the shared game may also be available on the secondary console, allowing for a complete gaming experience.

With games shared on the secondary console, you and others can enjoy playing together, engaging in multiplayer experiences, or simply taking turns exploring a vast digital game library.

Limitations and Restrictions of Gamesharing on the Nintendo Switch

While gamesharing on the Nintendo Switch is a fantastic feature, there are certain limitations and restrictions that you should be aware of. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

Gamesharing can only be done between two consoles and two Nintendo Accounts. It is not possible to gameshare with more than one secondary console or with multiple Nintendo Accounts.
Gamesharing is limited to digital games purchased from the Nintendo eShop. Physical cartridges cannot be shared or accessed through gamesharing.
There may be certain games that do not support gamesharing due to licensing or other restrictions. It’s essential to check the game’s compatibility before attempting to share it.
A secondary console can only access and play the shared games when connected to the internet. Offline access to shared games is not possible on the secondary console.
Save data and progress made on the secondary console will be saved locally on that console and will not sync with the primary console. This means that if you switch back to the primary console, you won’t have access to the progress made on the secondary console.
Some online features or multiplayer functionalities may not be available on the secondary console, depending on the game restrictions and Nintendo Switch Online membership.
If you want to change the primary console or authorize a different secondary console, you will need to go through the deregistration process and reauthorize the consoles accordingly.

It’s important to understand the limitations and restrictions of gamesharing on the Nintendo Switch to ensure a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. Despite these restrictions, gamesharing remains a valuable feature, enabling cost-effective access to shared games and multiplayer experiences with friends and family.