Hi all!
Many of you don't know yet that Nintendo now allows "game sharing" on the Nintendo Switch, and those of you that do know are not sure of the conditions it carries.
So in this guide I will explain in detail how does game sharing work, and some scenarios where you can see what would happen if...
Note: this is strictly for digital games, physical games can be shared without any restriction.
This is the main source I will use: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/22448, but I will provide personal experience on how to do it.
First of all, you need to understand this:
You can only have one console at a time activated as the primary console of an account.
What does this mean? A primary console can play all its games without any restrictions, such as time limit and being connected.
You can deactivate a console as your primary one and make another console your primary one, and this is a simple process.
Just enter the eShop with your desired account, then go to your profile (clicking your avatar) and search for the option to deactivate the primary console, when you do the next console you use to enter the eShop will be set as your primary console.
You can also do this online once a year, just enter https://ec.nintendo.com/my/#/ and click the Delete primary console option.
Let's now start with the guide on how to share:
1. Understanding game sharing:
Let's get this out of the way first. This solution is not really for game sharing (though it is a side effect), but to allow you to play your purchased games in another console without having to deactivate your primary one.
What will you use this for is your own decision.
2. Login on another console with your account
Make a new user on the console you wish to use your games on, and then link your Nintendo account to it. Now that console is a secondary console to your account.
3. Download games
That's it! You can now download whatever you want from that profile, even DLC (though it is usable only in that account).
Keep in mind a primary console can use DLC bought on whatever account on any account the Switch has (registered as primary).
Now, let's talk about restrictions put in place for secondary consoles:
1. You need to do an online check-in every 3 hours of use
Before starting the game you need to connect to the Internet to launch it, and then you can go offline. But you need to connect again every 3 hours (further testing needed to see if the 3-hour period continues even in sleep mode)
2. Only one person can play the game using the same account
Let's say I have my account MrCafecito and I lend it to my brother.
He can play my games on my account just fine, but if I start up a game (any game, not just the game he is playing) his Switch will automatically suspend (not close) the game he is playing. There is a workaround for this, either console just has to disable WiFi and now both can play the game at the same time.
3. Games can only be played on that account
My brother can't use his own account to play the games I bought with my account if his console is secondary, but there is a workaround you can use.
My brother has to make HIS console my account's primary console, and I have to make MY console his account's primary console. Doing this will allow you to play each other's games on your own accounts (and therefore you can back up your game saves on the cloud with your own account)
Now that everything is explained, I prepared a FAQ:
Do I need to purchase Nintendo Switch Online to do this?
No, this system has nothing to do with Online, it is a feature of Switch OS 6.0, so to do this you just have to make sure you're in 6.0
Can I play online using shared games?
Yes, as long as the main account is not playing anything else. You can circumvent this by using the two-account method I explained in point 3 of Restrictions
Can I play local wireless multiplayer using shared games?
I haven't extensively tested this, but the current answer is no. I (and someone else) tried to play Toad's Rec Room in Super Mario Party locally with my brother and it kept on displaying communication errors. If someone is able to do it, please let me know!
Any other questions? Feel free to ask in the comments!
Many of you don't know yet that Nintendo now allows "game sharing" on the Nintendo Switch, and those of you that do know are not sure of the conditions it carries.
So in this guide I will explain in detail how does game sharing work, and some scenarios where you can see what would happen if...
Note: this is strictly for digital games, physical games can be shared without any restriction.
This is the main source I will use: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/22448, but I will provide personal experience on how to do it.
First of all, you need to understand this:
You can only have one console at a time activated as the primary console of an account.
What does this mean? A primary console can play all its games without any restrictions, such as time limit and being connected.
You can deactivate a console as your primary one and make another console your primary one, and this is a simple process.
Just enter the eShop with your desired account, then go to your profile (clicking your avatar) and search for the option to deactivate the primary console, when you do the next console you use to enter the eShop will be set as your primary console.
You can also do this online once a year, just enter https://ec.nintendo.com/my/#/ and click the Delete primary console option.
Let's now start with the guide on how to share:
1. Understanding game sharing:
Let's get this out of the way first. This solution is not really for game sharing (though it is a side effect), but to allow you to play your purchased games in another console without having to deactivate your primary one.
What will you use this for is your own decision.
2. Login on another console with your account
Make a new user on the console you wish to use your games on, and then link your Nintendo account to it. Now that console is a secondary console to your account.
3. Download games
That's it! You can now download whatever you want from that profile, even DLC (though it is usable only in that account).
Keep in mind a primary console can use DLC bought on whatever account on any account the Switch has (registered as primary).
Now, let's talk about restrictions put in place for secondary consoles:
1. You need to do an online check-in every 3 hours of use
Before starting the game you need to connect to the Internet to launch it, and then you can go offline. But you need to connect again every 3 hours (further testing needed to see if the 3-hour period continues even in sleep mode)
2. Only one person can play the game using the same account
Let's say I have my account MrCafecito and I lend it to my brother.
He can play my games on my account just fine, but if I start up a game (any game, not just the game he is playing) his Switch will automatically suspend (not close) the game he is playing. There is a workaround for this, either console just has to disable WiFi and now both can play the game at the same time.
3. Games can only be played on that account
My brother can't use his own account to play the games I bought with my account if his console is secondary, but there is a workaround you can use.
My brother has to make HIS console my account's primary console, and I have to make MY console his account's primary console. Doing this will allow you to play each other's games on your own accounts (and therefore you can back up your game saves on the cloud with your own account)
Now that everything is explained, I prepared a FAQ:
Do I need to purchase Nintendo Switch Online to do this?
No, this system has nothing to do with Online, it is a feature of Switch OS 6.0, so to do this you just have to make sure you're in 6.0
Can I play online using shared games?
Yes, as long as the main account is not playing anything else. You can circumvent this by using the two-account method I explained in point 3 of Restrictions
Can I play local wireless multiplayer using shared games?
I haven't extensively tested this, but the current answer is no. I (and someone else) tried to play Toad's Rec Room in Super Mario Party locally with my brother and it kept on displaying communication errors. If someone is able to do it, please let me know!
Any other questions? Feel free to ask in the comments!
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