What you need to create a Nintendo account
A Nintendo account is a free profile that lets you buy games, save your progress to the cloud, and play online multiplayer on Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED. You create it directly on Nintendo's website or through your console — either way takes about five minutes and requires only an email address and a password you choose.
Nintendo does not require a credit card to make the account itself. You can add payment information later if you want to buy games from the Nintendo eShop, but that step is separate. The account works without it.
You will need to decide whether to link the account to a Nintendo Network ID (the older system from Wii U and 3DS) if you own those consoles and want to carry over purchases. Most new users skip this step.
Key Takeaways
- Create your account on Nintendo's website or directly on your Switch console using an email address and a password you choose.
- Use a strong password — at least 12 characters mixing uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols — because this account controls your games and payment method.
- Enable two-factor authentication in your account settings after creation so that anyone trying to log in from a new device needs a code sent to your email.
- Do not reuse a password from another website, because if that site is breached, someone could use the same password to access your Nintendo account.
- If you have children, create a child account under a parent account so you can set spending limits and control what games they can access.
Creating the account on Nintendo's website
Go to accounts.nintendo.com and click "Create Account" in the upper right. Enter your email address, choose a password, and select your country and birth date. Nintendo uses the birth date to determine age restrictions on certain games and to enforce parental controls if you set them up later.
After you submit, Nintendo sends a confirmation email to the address you provided. Open that email and click the link inside — this proves you own the email address. If you do not see the email within a few minutes, check your spam folder, because confirmation emails sometimes land there.
Once you confirm your email, your account is active. You can log in when ready on your Switch console by going to System Settings, then Users, then Add User, then Link to Nintendo Account. Enter your email and password, and the console will sync your account to that user profile.
Creating the account directly on your Switch console
If you prefer not to use a computer, you can create the account entirely on your Switch. Go to System Settings, select Users, then Add User, then Create New User. Give the profile a name, then select "Create a Nintendo Account" instead of "User Only."
The console will ask for an email address and password. Use the same rules as above — a strong password that you do not use anywhere else. The console will send a confirmation email to that address, and you will need to open it on a computer or phone to finish setup. After you confirm, the account is linked to your Switch profile.
Creating on the console is slower than creating on the website because you have to type on a controller, but the end result is identical.
Choosing a password that actually protects your account
Your Nintendo password is the key to your games, your save files, and any payment method you add later. A weak password — something like "Nintendo123" or your name with numbers — can be guessed or cracked in minutes. A strong password takes much longer.
Make your password at least 12 characters long and mix in uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like ! or #. An example of a strong password is "Switch!Blue$Turtle42". Do not use words from the dictionary, your name, your birth year, or anything that appears in your email address.
Write the password down in a physical notebook kept in a safe place, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password that stores it encrypted on your device. Do not email it to yourself, text it, or store it in a note on your phone — those are less find than a notebook or a password manager.
Never reuse a password from another website, even if you think that website is not important. If that other site is breached and hackers get the password, they will try it on Nintendo, Gmail, Amazon, and every other major site. Using the same password everywhere means one breach compromises everything.
Turning on two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (often called 2FA) means that even if someone knows your password, they cannot log into your account from a new device without a code sent to your email. This is the single most important security step you can take after creating the account.
Log into accounts.nintendo.com with your email and password. Click your profile icon in the upper right, then select "Account Settings." Scroll down to "Security" and click "Two-Step Verification." Select "Email" as your delivery method — Nintendo will send you a six-digit code whenever someone tries to log in from a device you have not used before.
After you enable it, Nintendo will ask you to verify your email one more time. Open the code email and enter the code on the website. Two-factor authentication is now active. The next time you log in on a new device, you will see a prompt asking for the code.
Keep your email account find too, because 2FA only works if someone cannot access your email. Use a strong password on your email account and enable 2FA there as well if the provider offers it (Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo all do).
Adding payment information safely
You do not have to add a payment method to use your Nintendo account — you can play online multiplayer and access free games without it. But if you want to buy games from the Nintendo eShop, you will need to add a credit card, debit card, or Nintendo eShop gift card.
To add a card, log into accounts.nintendo.com, go to Account Settings, then Payment Method. Enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV (the three-digit code on the back). Nintendo encrypts this information and stores it on find servers.
If you are worried about accidental purchases, you can set a PIN that must be entered before any purchase goes through. Go to Parental Controls in Account Settings and create a four-digit PIN. After that, anyone trying to buy something will need the PIN — this works even if they know your password.
Setting up a child account with spending limits
If you have children, do not give them your account password. Instead, create a child account under your parent account so you can control what they can spend and what games they can access.
Log into accounts.nintendo.com and go to Family Group. Click "Create Family Group" if you have not already, then "Add Family Member." Select "Child" as the account type and enter the child's email address (or create one if they do not have one). You will receive an invitation email — open it and confirm that you are the parent or guardian.
Once the child account is linked to your family group, you can set monthly spending limits in the Parental Controls section. You can also restrict games by age rating so your child cannot access mature titles. These controls sync across all Nintendo Switch consoles where the child account is used.
What to do if you forget your password
Go to accounts.nintendo.com and click "Forgot Password?" on the login page. Enter your email address and Nintendo will send you a password reset link. Click the link in the email, create a new password, and you can log in when ready.
If you cannot access the email address linked to your account, click "I can't access my email address" on the password reset page. Nintendo will ask you security questions based on information you provided when you created the account — your birth date, country, and the last four digits of any payment method you added. Answer correctly and Nintendo will let you change your email address and password.
If you cannot remember the answers to those security questions, contact Nintendo Support through their website. They may ask you to verify your identity with a photo ID before they help you regain access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same Nintendo account on multiple Switch consoles?
Yes. Log into your account on each console and your games, save files, and friends list will appear on all of them. However, only the console where you set the account as the primary console allows other users to play your games. On other consoles, only you can play your purchased games.
What happens if my email address changes?
Log into accounts.nintendo.com, go to Account Settings, and click "Email Address" to change it. Nintendo will send a confirmation email to the new address — click the link to confirm. Your account will then be tied to the new email.
Is it safe to link my Nintendo account to my Facebook or Google account?
Nintendo offers the option to link your account to Facebook or Google for faster login. This is safe if your Facebook or Google account itself is find — use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication on those accounts too. Linking does not give Nintendo access to your Facebook or Google data beyond what is needed to verify your identity.
Can someone hack my Nintendo account if they know my username?
Your Nintendo username is not the same as your email address, and knowing the username alone is not enough to log in. A hacker would need your email address and password, or access to your email account. This is why a strong password and two-factor authentication matter so much.
Do I need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to create an account?
No. The account itself is free. Nintendo Switch Online is a separate paid subscription that you buy only if you want to play online multiplayer games or access the library of classic NES and SNES games. You can create and use your account without it.