Yes, you can change your Nintendo Switch username, but the process depends on your account type

You can change the username on your Nintendo Switch, but Nintendo limits how often you can do it. If you have a Nintendo Account (the online service account), you can change your username once every 90 days at no cost. If you want to change it more frequently, you pay $1.99 each time after your first free change. The username you see on your Switch console itself — your profile name — can be changed anytime without restriction or cost.

The confusion usually comes from these being two separate things. Your Nintendo Account username is what appears when you play online games and interact with other players. Your profile name is just the local name on your Switch console. Most people want to change their Nintendo Account username because that is what other players see.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Nintendo Account username can be changed once every 90 days for free, or more often if you pay $1.99 per change.
  • Your local Switch profile name can be changed anytime without cost by going to System Settings and selecting your profile.
  • You need to sign into your Nintendo Account on a computer or phone to change your account username; you cannot do it from the console itself.
  • After you change your username, it takes effect when ready for online play, but some games may show your old name briefly until they refresh.

How to change your Nintendo Account username

Go to accounts.nintendo.com and sign in with your email and password. Click your profile icon in the top right corner, then select "Profile Settings." Find the "User Information" section and click "Edit" next to your username. Type your new username — it must be between 6 and 16 characters and can include letters, numbers, and underscores. Click "Save" when you are done.

The new username takes effect when ready. If you have played online before, you may see your old name in some games for a few hours while the servers catch up. If you have never changed your username before, this change is free. If you have changed it within the last 90 days, you will be charged $1.99 through your Nintendo Account balance or payment method on file.

How to change your local Switch profile name

On your Switch console, go to System Settings by pressing the home button and selecting the gear icon. Scroll down and select "Users." Choose your profile, then select "Profile Settings." Click "Nickname" and type your new name. You can use up to 10 characters, including letters, numbers, and some symbols. Press OK to save.

This name only appears on your console and in local games played on that Switch. It does not affect your Nintendo Account username or what other players see when you play online. You can change this name as often as you want without any cost or waiting period.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your Nintendo Account username, your old name becomes available for someone else to use. Nintendo does not hold it for you. If you change your mind within a few hours, you may be able to change back to your old name, but only if no one else has claimed it yet. After 90 days, you can change your username again, so you could theoretically switch back and forth — but the 90-day waiting period applies each time.

Your friend list and game progress stay with your account regardless of what username you choose. Other players who had you added as a friend will still see you in their friends list, though your name will update to the new one.

Restrictions on Nintendo Account usernames

Nintendo does not allow usernames that contain profanity, hateful language, or impersonation of real people or brands. Your username cannot be the same as another player's current username. If you try to create a username that violates these rules, the system will reject it and ask you to choose a different one.

Usernames are not case-sensitive, so "Player123" and "player123" are treated as the same name. You also cannot use spaces in your username — underscores work instead if you want to separate words.

If you cannot change your username

If you see a message saying you cannot change your username, the most common reason is that you changed it less than 90 days ago and have not paid the $1.99 fee. Check the date of your last change by going back to accounts.nintendo.com and looking at your profile history.

If you are trying to use a username that is already taken, choose a different one. If you see an error message that does not match these reasons, try signing out of your Nintendo Account, closing your browser completely, and signing back in. If the problem continues, contact Nintendo Support through their website — they can sometimes override the 90-day restriction if your account was compromised or if you have a specific reason for needing an urgent change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username on the Switch console itself?

No. You must go to accounts.nintendo.com on a computer or phone to change your Nintendo Account username. You can only change your local profile name directly on the console, and that does not affect what other players see online.

Do I have to wait 90 days between every username change?

Your first change is free and has no waiting period. After that, you can change your username again when ready if you pay $1.99. If you want to change it for free, you must wait 90 days from your last change.

Will my friends still see me if I change my username?

Yes. Your friends list stays the same, and your friends will see your new username in their friends list and when you play together online. The change is when ready.

What if someone took my old username after I changed it?

Old usernames become available when ready and cannot be reserved. If someone else claimed it, you cannot get it back unless they change their username and it becomes available again. Nintendo does not hold usernames for previous owners.

Can I change my username if my account was hacked?

Yes. If your account was compromised, contact Nintendo Support and explain the situation. They may override the 90-day waiting period and let you change your username for free to find your account.