If you want to cut down on costs from purchasing video games, game sharing with someone is a smart way to achieve this. You can gameshare on the Nintendo Switch, but there are some caveats.
How to Gameshare on Nintendo Switch
As there’s no official way to gameshare on Nintendo Switch, you’ll have to trust someone to have your username and password so that they can access your account to play certain games.
Firstly, you’ll need to deregister your console as the primary console you have. To do this:
Enter the Nintendo e-Shop. Select your user profile icon in the top-right corner. Select your profile name, then scroll down to the bottom. Next to where it reads Primary Console, select Deregister. On the confirmation dialog box, select Deregister again.
You will now have deregistered your console as the primary console for your account.
Add a User Account to Your Nintendo Switch
Now you’ve deregistered your console as the primary one for your account; it’s time to add your user profile to the second Nintendo Switch so that its owner can use your games. To do this:
On the second Nintendo Switch, select System Settings. Scroll down to User. Then select Add User. Choose Create New User. Choose your profile Icon and Nickname, and then select OK. Select Link a Nintendo Account. Enter the login information of the account that has the games to share. Choose Link. Select OK.
You will now have added your account to the second Switch console, where it should have automatically become the primary console for your user account. You also won’t need to log into your account again, so you can skip the Nintendo Switch user selection screen in the future and just log straight into yours.
This means that the second Switch’s owner can play the games on your account even when signed in to their own account. You will have to redownload your game library on your Switch, but the second Switch owner can now play the games you own without needing to purchase them again.
What to Consider When Gamesharing on Nintendo Switch
While this method works to share your game library with members of your family or friends, it isn’t foolproof and comes with caveats.
You can’t play the same game simultaneously if both players are signed in to the same account across the two consoles. You need to ensure that you’re both on different accounts for it to work. You won’t be able to play multiplayer on games you’ve gameshared with someone else, even if you’re logged into different accounts.
Only ever give your Switch account details to somebody that you trust. Since their console will have your account as primary, you could quickly be locked out of your account or have your details change if the person ever decided to do that.
It’s a good idea to know how to secure your Nintendo Switch account with two-factor authentication and other methods, just in case the person you’re gamesharing with ever decides to try and pull a fast one on you.
Take a Cheaper Route to Grow Your Game Library
Gamesharing offers a way to cut down on the costs of games between friends and family; just make sure you only give your Nintendo Switch details to those you trust.
The Switch offers many ways to customize your gaming experience and get the most out of it. You can also use third-party products to customize it further.
