Getting Started with Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2

Learn how to set up your Nintendo Switch 2 console and make the most out of your play experience.

Complete these steps

Prepare Nintendo Accounts and a family group
You may already have a Nintendo Account that you use on Nintendo Switch, a Nintendo mobile app, or My Nintendo. You will be able to use the same Nintendo Account on Nintendo Switch 2. If you do not, we recommend that you set one up. A Nintendo Account is required to access certain features on Nintendo Switch 2, including GameChat.

With a Nintendo Account, you can also form or join a family group. In a family group, children can be supervised, members can participate in a Nintendo Switch Online family membership, and members can lend virtual game cards to each other across systems! To use GameChat on Nintendo Switch 2, any users under 16 will need to be supervised. If you plan to use GameChat, please ensure these users have supervised Nintendo Accounts under their parent/guardian's account. Learn more about family group roles and their functions.
- How to set up a Nintendo Account
  1. Go to the Nintendo Account website and click Sign in/Create account.
  2. Click Create a Nintendo Account.
  3. Enter your date of birth and click Submit.
  4. Select the sign-in method you want to use.
  Note: Users whose age makes them subject to verifiable parental consent laws cannot create a Nintendo Account on their own. They can only be created within an existing parent/guardian’s Nintendo Account.
  
  Have questions or need a little more help? You may find our information on How to Create a Nintendo Account helpful.
- How to ensure my Nintendo Account is secure
  If you would like to add additional security to your account, the following information can help:
- How to invite someone to join a Nintendo Account family group
  1. Visit the Nintendo Account website and sign in to the admin Nintendo Account for the family group, or create a new admin Nintendo Account if you don't have one.
  2. Select Family group.
  3. Select Add a member.
  4. Select Invite someone to your family group.
  5. Enter the email address that is registered to the Nintendo Account that you want to add, then select Submit. An invitation email will be sent to the email address that you entered.
  6. The owner of the Nintendo Account you invited to join will need to complete a few steps to join the family group.
    
    The invitee should open the invitation email and select the verification link.
    
    They will be prompted to sign in to their Nintendo Account.
    
    They can then select Join family group to move the Nintendo Account into your family group.
  7. Once the Nintendo Account owner has agreed, their account will appear in your family group and you can assign them a role.
  For more information, please read How to Add Members to a Nintendo Account Family Group.
Complete the initial setup on the console
Follow the First-Time Setup instructions to start up the console and connect it to the internet.

If you want to perform a system transfer from a Nintendo Switch console, this can only be performed during the initial setup. See System Transfer from Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 for more information.
- If you don't want to transfer everything, individual save data for a Nintendo Account can be transferred between systems later, through System Settings.
Create a user profile for each player, if needed
Each user profile will be able to keep its own save data in each game. Link the Nintendo Accounts you created to the user profiles so that each user can get the most out of their experience.

If you completed a system transfer from Nintendo Switch, all users that were on that console will already be added on your Nintendo Switch 2 console!
- Add a new user account on Nintendo Switch 2
  1. Select System Settings on the HOME Menu.
  2. Scroll down to highlight Users.
  3. Select Add User.
  4. Select Add Without Signing In.
    
    This will create a user account that is not linked to a Nintendo Account. If you already have a Nintendo Account, you can instead select Sign In to a Nintendo Account and sign in to your Nintendo Account to copy your user icon and information from your previous user accounts.
  5. Select the icon for your user account from those displayed, or select Create an Icon for more options.
  6. Enter a nickname when prompted.
  7. Select OK.
  8. Select OK again to confirm.
    
    Note that if you want to use your system's online features, you will need to link a Nintendo Account to your user account.
  For more information, see How to Add a New User Account on Nintendo Switch 2.
Consider a Nintendo Switch Online membership
Nintendo Switch Online is required to use online multiplayer, access a growing library of Nintendo Classics games, and access special offerings. Follow the steps to start a Nintendo Switch Online membership if you don't have one yet. If you already have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, you will be able to access the benefits on Nintendo Switch 2 after linking your Nintendo Account.
- A Nintendo Switch Online membership and persistent internet connection are required to use GameChat.
Learn more about Nintendo Switch Online and the available membership options, such as a family membership, which allows all accounts in your family group to enjoy the membership benefits.
Start a game – you’re ready to play!
- If you have a game card, insert it into your console and select the game from the HOME Menu to play it.
  - Game-key cards will prompt you to download additional data before the game can be played. An internet connection is required to complete the download.
- If you've purchased software with your Nintendo Account previously, you can download it on your Nintendo Switch 2 console through the Virtual Game Cards menu. You can also open Nintendo eShop to redeem a download code, purchase downloadable games and DLC, or download available free demos and software.
- In addition to exclusive Nintendo Switch 2 software, most Nintendo Switch games can also be played on Nintendo Switch 2! Our website has detailed information about Nintendo Switch game compatibility.

Additional information

This is my second Nintendo Switch 2 console

Complete the initial set-up on the console and link your Nintendo Account to your User page.

Save data can be transferred through System Settings, or a Nintendo Switch Online membership makes it possible to access your save data cloud backups on both consoles for most games. For more information, see Nintendo Switch Online service FAQ.

If you don't have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, learn How to Transfer Save Data and How to Transfer Animal Crossing: New Horizons Save Data.

If you already have digital games, you'll be able to play them on your new console by linking them and loading your virtual game cards.
The Nintendo Switch 2 console is for a child
If the console is for a child, there are a few things you can do to monitor their account and play experience.
- Set up a Nintendo Account for the parent or guardian of the child, then create a child account or invite an existing account for the child to be supervised.
- Install the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your smart device and use it to set play restrictions.
  - Some Parental Controls settings can also be set on the console without use of the app, if you prefer.
- Set Nintendo eShop restrictions on what the child can view or purchase on Nintendo eShop.
- Review our Info for Parents for more information on how to customize your child's experience.
The console is a gift. What should I do before wrapping it up?
If the Nintendo Switch 2 console will be given as a gift to a child, there are a few things you can do to ensure the recipient is ready to play as quickly as possible.
- Follow the initial set-up steps above.
- Connect the Nintendo Switch 2 console to the wireless network where the recipient will be playing most often.
- Install the latest system update.
- Download any games from bundled or purchased download codes through Nintendo eShop so that the games are ready to play.
  - Be sure to use the Nintendo Account that the games should belong to. The game license will be tied to the Nintendo Account that redeems or purchases the game, so the same account will be needed to manage the virtual game card.
- If this is the second console in a household, link it to the first console to share virtual game cards.
- Review our Info for Parents to learn about the features of the console that allow you to manage what content and interactions your child can engage in.
My console was bundled with a game download code. How do I redeem it?

After completing the initial set-up and connecting to the internet, redeem the download code on Nintendo eShop. Be sure to use the Nintendo Account that the game should belong to. The game license will be tied to the Nintendo Account that redeems or purchases the game, so the same account will be needed to manage the virtual game card.
My console was bundled with a full game download with no code included. How do I receive it?
After completing the initial set-up and connecting to the internet, your full game download will need to be registered to a Nintendo Account by following the steps below:
1. Select Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu to launch Nintendo eShop.
2. Select the Nintendo Account you want to register the game to.
  - The game license will be tied to the Nintendo Account that registers it, so use the same account that you want to use to manage the virtual game card.
3. A message will appear indicating that the console includes a product you can register and download.
4. Select Registration to proceed.
5. A confirmation screen will appear. Select Save to register the game to your Nintendo Account.
  - The download will begin automatically. You can check the download status on the HOME Menu.
For more information, see our Digital Game Bundle FAQ.

Getting Started with Nintendo Switch 2

Complete these steps

Additional information

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