How to link your Nintendo ID with your Nintendo Switch

Samantha Loveridge
Games Nintendo
Games Nintendo

With the Nintendo Switch finally here, it’s time to make sure all your various Nintendo ID accounts sync with your new console.

The accounts you’ll need for the Nintendo Switch are as follows:

  • Nintendo Accountget one here
  • Nintendo Account User ID – set up on the Switch itself
  • My Nintendo ID – You may have one already from the Wii/Wii U/3DS days

Here’s how to set up your Nintendo ID account on your Nintendo Switch:

1. Head to the System Settings > User

Nintendo ID syncing with Nintendo Switch

The first step for getting all your Nintendo accounts synced up is to head into the settings menu on the home screen of the Nintendo Switch. It’s the icon with the little cog.

After that, look for a sub-category called “User”, which will list all the Nintendo Switch players currently set-up on your console.

2. Go into your Avatar

Tap on the Avatar of the person you want to link with your Nintendo ID. You can have multiple Nintendo accounts on one Switch, so make sure you’re linking the right account to the right user.

3. Go all the way down to “Linked Nintendo Account” at the bottom

Nintendo ID syncing with Nintendo Switch

At the bottom of your user screen, under the likes of “Friend Settings”, social network posting options and Nintendo eShop settings, is the option for linking your Nintendo Account.

4. Choose how you want to connect your account

There are multiple ways to sync your Nintendo Account with your Switch user account. Opt to connect via Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus or with your Nintendo Network ID. Of course, it will depend on which accounts you’ve linked with your Nintendo one, but you can check that via the official website.

5. Enter all your details

It’s then just a case of chucking in all the relevant details and waiting for the Switch to do its magic.

6. Check you’re all set for the Nintendo eShop

Nintendo eShop

We had to change our password for the Nintendo eShop before we could start perusing the titles available. To check if you’re ready to buy or even download free demos, you might want to check your Nintendo eShop settings.

You do that by looking at the Nintendo eShop settings within the same User area of the System Settings. It’ll then prompt you if you need to change your password or add any other details to your account.

7. Link all your other accounts too

If you want to start posting some tasty screenshots of your latest Nintendo Switch adventures, you’ll want to link up your social media accounts to your Switch too.

To do that, go to the “Posting on Social Networks” section of your User settings and link up your Facebook and/or Twitter profiles.

The Nintendo Switch is available worldwide from March 3, 2017, priced at $299.99/£279.99.

Samantha Loveridge
Sam is the UK Gaming Editor at Fandom. She's been addicted to games since she first got her paws on a GameBoy and hasn't looked back.