How to Share Games on Nintendo Switch

It can be understood that this is a game sharing feature, and the way it works is not complicated.

What is game sharing on Nintendo Switch?

Sharing a game on Nintendo Switch is essentially a process that allows you to use a single digital copy of a game across multiple devices, similar to how you would share a physical copy of that game. This is especially useful for those groups of friends or family who own multiple Nintendo Switch devices, and don't want to have to pay multiple times to buy the same game.

All digital purchases on Switch are linked to a Nintendo account. To share games between 2 devices, you need to use the same Nintendo account on both devices.

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During game sharing, you will need to specify primary and secondary devices. The primary device will have full online and offline access to all the titles associated with the eShop account. On the other hand, the account registered on the secondary device needs an internet connection to play. Also, it should be noted that both Switch devices will not be able to play the same game at the same time with the same Nintendo account.

How to share games on Switch

First, boot the Switch device with the games installed. From the Home screen, you access the Nintendo eShop by clicking the store button at the bottom and selecting the account with the games you want to share.

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Next, click on the player icon in the upper right and scroll to the bottom of the page on the right. Here you will see an option called 'Primary Console'. Select 'Deregister', this will turn the Switch into a secondary device (which can be changed later if desired).

On the second Switch, sign in to the same Nintendo account by going to System Settings > Add User. This device will now be registered as the 'Primary Console'. Then just reload the game you want to save from the eShop.

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In case you want to swap primary and secondary accounts, simply unsubscribe from Switch with the Primary Account. The relevant permissions will change automatically.

Pros and cons of game sharing

The advantage of this feature is that it can save you a lot of money buying games. This is especially true for first-party Nintendo titles, which typically cost around $60.

On the downside, first, the secondary device will always need an Internet connection to play. This is because Nintendo does an online verification process when the software is launched to make sure the game is legally owned.

Also, as mentioned, both Switch devices won't be able to play the same game at the same time when signed in to the same account. However, this does not apply to the second Nintendo account. If you create another account on a secondary device and select that account when playing, both devices can run the same game at the same time. Of course, to play in online multiplayer together, you need a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online.

A final note that this process does not work for local multiplayer games. This is because playing locally will require turning off the Switch's internet modem. You must play online or together on one device.

Kareem Winters

Update 17 February 2022