You can change your Nintendo Switch username through your account settings on the console itself

Your Nintendo Switch username is the name that appears to other players online and on your profile. To change it, you go into your account settings, find the profile section, and edit the name directly — the whole process takes about two minutes. You do not need a computer or phone, and you do not lose any games, saves, or online progress.

The steps are the same whether you have a standard Switch, Switch Lite, or Switch OLED. You will need to be on the console where the account is set up, and you need to know the PIN for that account if one is set.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings on your Switch, select Users, then your profile, then Profile Settings, and choose Nickname to type in your new name.
  • You can change your username as many times as you want with no waiting period or cost.
  • Your new username shows up when ready in online games and on your profile, but may take a few minutes to appear in friends' friend lists.
  • Changing your username does not affect your save files, game library, or Nintendo Switch Online membership.

Step-by-step instructions for changing your username

Start on the home screen of your Switch. Press the X button to open System Settings (the gear icon in the top right of the home menu). Scroll down and select Users, then choose your profile from the list.

Once you are in your profile, select Profile Settings. You will see several options including Nickname, Friend Code, and Linked Accounts. Select Nickname. The current name will appear in a text box. Clear it and type your new username, then press OK. Your new name is now active.

If your account has a PIN set up, you may be asked to enter it before you can make changes. This is a security feature. If you have forgotten your PIN, you can reset it through the same System Settings menu under Parental Controls.

What happens after you change your username

Your new username appears when ready in most places. It shows up right away in your profile, in online games you are playing, and in messages you send to friends. However, your new name may take a few minutes to show up in other players' friend lists — this is normal and not a problem.

If you are in the middle of an online game when you change your username, you may need to restart the game for other players to see the new name. Your game progress, achievements, and online rank are not affected by the change.

Changing your username if you have parental controls enabled

If your account is a child account with parental controls set up, a parent or guardian account holder may need to approve the change. The process is the same — you go to Profile Settings and select Nickname — but you will see a message asking for parental permission.

The parent or guardian can approve or deny the change through their own account settings. If the change is denied, you can try again later or ask the account holder to adjust the parental control settings.

Usernames you cannot use

Nintendo blocks certain usernames that contain offensive language, impersonation of real people or companies, or excessive numbers and symbols. If you try to use a name that is not allowed, the system will tell you it cannot be used and ask you to choose a different one.

You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and some symbols like hyphens and underscores. Usernames can be up to 10 characters long. If your chosen name is rejected, try removing numbers or symbols, or pick a completely different name.

Changing your username on a different Switch console

If you have your Nintendo account set up on more than one Switch — for example, a home console and a portable one — you only need to change your username once. The change syncs across all consoles where your account is active, usually within a few minutes.

Make sure you are signed into the same Nintendo account on both consoles. If you have a different account on the second console, changing the username on one account will not affect the other.

If you cannot find the username setting

Make sure you are in the right menu. The path is System Settings → Users → Your Profile → Profile Settings → Nickname. If you see a different menu or cannot find Users, restart your Switch and try again.

If the Nickname option is grayed out or will not let you type, your account may have parental controls that prevent changes. You can also try signing out and signing back in to your account, which sometimes fixes menu problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times can I change my Nintendo Switch username?

You can change it as many times as you want with no limit or waiting period. There is no cost, and you do not need to do anything special between changes.

Will my friends see my old username if I change it?

No. Your new username appears in their friend list within a few minutes. Old messages you sent will still show your new name, not the old one.

Can I change my username if I forgot my PIN?

You can reset your PIN through System Settings under Parental Controls without needing the old one. Once reset, you can change your username normally.

Does changing my username affect my Nintendo Switch Online membership?

No. Your membership, games, saves, and online progress stay exactly the same. The username change is only cosmetic.

What if someone else is using the username I want?

Nintendo allows multiple accounts to have the same username, so you can use any name you want even if another player has it. Your Friend Code is what makes your account unique.