What Are the Differences Between a Primary and Non-Primary Nintendo Switch Console?
Information
Nintendo Accounts can be linked to multiple Nintendo Switch consoles, but you can only have one primary console at a time. The first Nintendo Switch console you use to access Nintendo eShop on a Nintendo Switch console will become your primary console.
Any other Nintendo Switch consoles you link your account to are non-primary consoles.
| Primary Console | Non-Primary Console(s) | |
| Purchase new content using your Nintendo Account | YES | YES |
| Redownload your content using your Nintendo Account | YES | YES |
| Play your content using your Nintendo Account while online | YES | YES |
| Access the benefits of your Nintendo Switch Online membership | YES | YES |
| Play your content using your Nintendo Account while offline | YES An internet connection is still required to use online features or for games which require a subscription service. | NO |
| Allow other users to play your downloaded content, online or offline | YES | NO |
Additional information
- How to check which console is your primary console: To verify if a console is the primary console for your Nintendo Account, check the "Primary console" section in your Nintendo eShop Account Information.
- How to change your primary console: To change which console is set as your primary console, you will need to deactivate your current primary console. The next time you access Nintendo eShop on a Nintendo Switch console, the console you use to access Nintendo eShop will automatically be set as your primary console.
- Playing your games on multiple consoles: You can link your Nintendo Account to multiple consoles and play your games on all of them, but you cannot use your Nintendo Account to play games on different consoles simultaneously. When using downloadable software on a non-primary console, your game will pause if your Nintendo Account is used to access downloadable software on any other Nintendo Switch console.
- For more information, read How to Play Your Games Across Multiple Consoles.