Does changing primary Switch delete save data?

In this article, you'll learn how to change your primary Nintendo Switch console. Important: Changing the primary console does not automatically transfer your save data from one system to the other.

Will I lose my save data if I get a new Switch?

Your save data will be deleted on the source console. *Save data is stored on the console you're currently using. In order to play games with your latest save data on multiple systems, you'll need to transfer the save data each time you use a different console.

Does deregistering a Switch delete save data?

Deleting a user account from a Nintendo Switch console will also delete any save data that is associated with that account and saved to the console. Data deleted from a console cannot be restored unless it is first backed up using the Save Data Cloud backup feature.

How many times can you change your primary console Switch?

You can change this as often as you need to, but only one console can be the primary at a time.

Does linking a Nintendo Account delete save data?

(Data on the microSD card will not be deleted.) Any Nintendo Accounts linked to the console will not be deleted, but they will be unlinked from the system. After initializing the console, you can create a new user and link to it your Nintendo Account.

Nintendo Switch: How to Change Primary Console

What happens if you link a Nintendo Account to another profile?

Each individual player on Nintendo Switch can create their own user account (up to 8 per system), to manage personal settings and save data. Linking a Nintendo Account to a user account also provides access to the following online features: Access online game modes (online multiplayer, global rankings, DLC, etc)

What happens if I link My Nintendo account to another user?

Linking a Nintendo Account with a user account on Nintendo Switch makes more features accessible, for example: Friend-related features. Posting screenshots/videos on social media networks.

What happens when you change primary Switch?

You can register one primary console per Nintendo Account. Changing your primary console changes what can be done on each console where you have linked your Nintendo Account: Once you've registered a primary console, your digital purchases can be played by anyone that uses the primary console.

What happens when you deregister primary console Switch?

Deregistering one console will allow you to select a different console as the primary console for your Nintendo Account. Each Nintendo Account can have one primary Nintendo Switch console at a time.

Can you have two primary accounts on Switch?

You can have one primary console at a time for your Nintendo Account. The first Nintendo Switch console you use to connect to Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch will become your primary console. While using the primary console, any user account on the console can play the downloadable content you have purchased.

How to unlink Nintendo Account from Switch without losing data?

Important: Once a Nintendo Account is linked to a user account, this link cannot be undone. The associated user account must also be deleted to unlink a Nintendo Account from a Nintendo Switch console.

How do I unlink a primary console Switch?

Complete these steps

Select the Nintendo Account you want to deactivate on the console. Select the picture of your icon in the upper-right corner to access your Account Information. Scroll down to the Primary Console status. Select Deregister twice to confirm.

Can you change your primary Switch?

To change the primary console for your Nintendo Account, you will need to deregister your current primary console, then set the new primary console. Once you've registered a primary console, your digital purchases can be played by anyone that uses the primary console.

How do I get my save data back on my Switch?

From the HOME Menu, select System Settings, then Data Management and finally Save Data Cloud. Select the desired user, then choose the backup file you wish to download. Select Download Save Data.

Will I lose my Animal Crossing Island if I get a new Switch?

What is transferred to the new console with a full island transfer? When a full island transfer is completed, all island save data, progress, animal neighbours, residents, residents' inventories and homes are transferred to the new console. No Animal Crossing: New Horizons save data will remain on the original console.

What happens if I put my game in another Switch?

Yes. Anyone that uses your primary Nintendo Switch console will be able to play games you've purchased with your Nintendo Account*. Please note that you can set one console per Nintendo Account as your primary console.

How many primary accounts can you have on one switch?

Up to 8 Nintendo Accounts can be linked to a Nintendo Switch console at a time.

What is the difference between primary and secondary account on Nintendo Switch?

Here's how it works: Primary Switch: Your account can launch any game offline or online and can play them without limit. Secondary Switch: Your account can only launch games when you have an online connection. If you go offline (like on a plane or subway), you cannot Switch to another game.

How many consoles can you activate as primary?

Each player can have one PS4 console activated as the primary PS4 console for their account.

How many years should a Switch last?

The idea of the Switch, however, has remained the same. Its models mainly use the same type of CPU and GPU, too. As I discussed with former Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aimé, the Switch seems due for some sort of upgrade... but according to Nintendo, the Switch's life cycle could be as long as 10 years.

Can you share games between two Nintendo switches?

Digital games are tied to the Nintendo Account that purchased them. All users on a system will be able to play games purchased by any Nintendo Account that has registered the system as their primary console.

Can you merge two Nintendo Accounts?

No. We are not able to combine two different Nintendo Accounts together into one. Please note that you can link up to 8 Nintendo Accounts to a single Nintendo Switch console. Games that you've purchased are playable by everyone on the active Nintendo Switch console for your Nintendo Account.

How do I transfer data to a new Switch?

From the HOME Menu, select System Settings, then Data Management, and then Transfer Your Save Data. Select Send Save Data to Another Console, then select the user whose save data file you wish to transfer. Select the save data file for the software title you want to send to another system. Select Send Save Data.

Can you link a Nintendo Account to two profiles on the same Switch?

Up to 8 user accounts can be created on one console. On the HOME Menu, select "System Settings" → "Users" → "Add User". Select how you'd like to add a user. If you've already linked a Nintendo Account with a user on another console, you can select "Import User Data from Another Console".

How do I know which Switch is primary?

To verify whether a console is the primary console for your Nintendo Account, check the "primary console" section in your Nintendo eShop Account Information.