Change your username through your Nintendo Account settings

You change your Nintendo Switch username by going into your Nintendo Account online, not through the console itself. The Switch lets you create a local profile name that appears on your console, but your actual Nintendo Account username — the one you use to sign in and connect to Nintendo services — lives on Nintendo's website. That's the username you need to change if you want a different name across all your devices and online play.

The process takes about five minutes and doesn't require you to create a new account or lose any of your games, friends, or save data. Your existing username stays active for 30 days after you change it, so anyone trying to add you by your old name will still find you during that window.

Key Takeaways

  • You change your Nintendo Account username on Nintendo's website, not on your Switch console itself.
  • Your old username remains searchable for 30 days after the change, giving friends time to find you under your new name.
  • You can only change your username once every 30 days, so choose carefully before you confirm.
  • Changing your username does not affect your games, save files, friends list, or any purchases you've made.

Step 1: Sign into your Nintendo Account online

Go to accounts.nintendo.com in your web browser on any computer or phone. Click the blue "Sign In" button in the top right corner. Enter the email address or phone number connected to your Nintendo Account, then your password.

If you have two-factor authentication turned on (a security feature that sends a code to your phone or email), you'll need to enter that code after your password. Once you're signed in, you'll see your account dashboard with your current username displayed near the top.

Step 2: Open your account settings

On the account dashboard, look for the menu on the left side of the screen. Click on Account Settings. This opens a page with several options including your profile information, password, and linked accounts.

If you're on a phone and the left menu isn't visible, look for a hamburger menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner and tap it to reveal the options.

Step 3: Find and edit your username

In Account Settings, click on Profile. You'll see a section labeled "User Information" or "Basic Information" that shows your current username. Next to your username, you should see an Edit button or a pencil icon. Click that to open the username change screen.

Type your new username into the text box. Nintendo usernames can be 6 to 16 characters long and can include letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed. The system will tell you when ready if your new username is already taken or contains words Nintendo doesn't allow.

Step 4: Confirm the change and wait for it to take effect

After you enter your new username, click the Change or Save button. Nintendo will ask you to confirm by entering your password again as a security check. Type it in and click confirm.

Your new username takes effect right away on your Nintendo Account. The next time you sign into your Switch or any other Nintendo device, you'll see your new username. Your old username will still work for sign-in purposes for the next 30 days, and friends searching for you will find your new name when ready.

What happens to your profile on the Switch console itself

Your Switch console has a separate local profile name that may be different from your Nintendo Account username. Changing your Nintendo Account username does not automatically change the name that appears on your Switch home screen. If you want that to match, you'll need to edit your Switch profile separately by going to System Settings on the console, selecting Users, choosing your profile, and clicking Edit Profile.

This local profile name is only seen by people using that same Switch console. Your Nintendo Account username is what appears when you play online, send messages, or show up on friends' lists. Most people keep these the same for simplicity, but they don't have to be.

The 30-day waiting period between changes

Once you change your username, you cannot change it again for 30 days. Nintendo has this rule to prevent confusion and keep the system stable. If you realize you made a mistake right after changing it, you'll have to wait the full month before you can try again.

Before you confirm your new username, take a moment to make sure it's what you actually want. Check that it's spelled correctly and that you're happy with how it looks. Once you click that final confirm button, you're committed to it for at least 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my username delete my games or save files?

No. Your games, save data, and all purchases stay exactly where they are. Changing your username only changes the name associated with your account — nothing else is affected. You'll still have access to everything you owned before the change.

Can I change my username back to what it was before?

Only after 30 days have passed. Once you change your username, you have to wait a full month before you can change it again. During those 30 days, your old username is still reserved and searchable, but you cannot use it as your current username.

What if the username I want is already taken?

Nintendo will tell you when ready when you try to save it. You'll need to choose a different name. Try adding numbers or underscores to a variation of what you wanted, or pick something completely different. The system shows you right away whether a name is available.

Does my Switch friend code change when I change my username?

No. Your friend code is a separate number tied to your account that never changes. Friends can still add you using your friend code even if you change your username. Your friends list also stays the same — changing your name doesn't remove anyone.

Can I change my username on the Switch console without going online?

You cannot change your Nintendo Account username from the console. You must go to accounts.nintendo.com on a computer or phone. However, you can change your local profile name on the Switch itself through System Settings, but that's different from your account username and won't change how you appear online.