Where to find your Nintendo username

Your Nintendo username is stored in your user profile on the Switch console itself. To find it, go to System Settings on your Switch home screen, select Users, then choose your profile. The name you see at the top of that profile page is your Nintendo username — the one you chose when you first set up your account or the one you've since changed it to.

If you play Nintendo Switch Online games or use the Nintendo Switch app on your phone, that same username appears in those places too. It's the name other players see when you're online, so it's worth knowing what it actually is before you decide to change it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Nintendo username lives in your user profile on the Switch console under System Settings > Users.
  • The username you see in your profile is the same one that shows up to other players online and in the Nintendo Switch app.
  • If you've forgotten what your username is, checking your profile is faster than looking it up anywhere else.
  • Your username is different from your Nintendo Account email address — the email is what you use to sign in, the username is what other players see.

How to check your username on the Switch home screen

Start at the Switch home screen. In the top left corner, you'll see your profile icon and username displayed. That's the quickest way to confirm what your username is without going into any menus. If you're not sure which profile is yours, look for the one with your icon — the Switch shows the active user's name right there.

If you share a Switch with other people, make sure you're looking at your own profile icon, not someone else's. Each person on the console has their own username, and they're all visible from the home screen.

Finding your username in the Nintendo Switch app

If you use the Nintendo Switch app on your phone or tablet, your username appears in the app's profile section. Open the app, tap your profile icon (usually in the top right), and you'll see your username displayed there. This is useful if you're away from your console and need to remember what your username is.

The app also shows your username in any messages or friend requests you send, so if you've recently used the app to chat with someone, you can see what name appeared on your end of the conversation.

The difference between your username and your Nintendo Account email

Your Nintendo username and your Nintendo Account email address are two separate things, and it's straightforward to mix them up. Your email is what you type in when you sign into your account — it's private and only you know it. Your username is what other players see when you're playing online or sending them messages.

If you're trying to remember which one you need, think about it this way: if you're signing into your account on a new device, you need the email. If you're looking for what name shows up to your friends, you need the username. Both are tied to the same account, but they serve different purposes.

What to do if you can't find your profile

If you're on a Switch and you don't see your profile in the Users list, it's possible you're signed into a different profile than you thought. Check the home screen again — the profile icon in the top left shows which account is currently active. Switch to your profile by tapping on it, then go back to System Settings to see your username.

If your profile isn't on the console at all, you may have set up your account on a different Switch. In that case, you can still find your username by signing into your Nintendo Account on the web at accounts.nintendo.com using your email address. Your username will be listed in your account details there.

Why you might want to know your username before changing it

Before you change your username, it helps to write down what it is now. That way, if you change your mind or if friends ask what your old username was, you'll have a record of it. Nintendo doesn't keep a public history of username changes, so once you change it, the old name is gone from your profile.

You should also know that changing your username doesn't affect your friends list or your game progress — those stay tied to your account no matter what name you use. But other players won't be able to find you by your old username anymore, so if you're well-known by that name in a game community, they'll need to know your new one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see what my username looks like to other players before I change it?

Yes. Your username on the home screen and in your profile is exactly what other players see. If you want to know how it appears in a game, you can check by looking at your profile in that game's social or friends menu — most games display your username the same way the Switch does.

Is my Nintendo username the same across all my devices?

Yes. If you sign into your Nintendo Account on a Switch, a phone, or the web, the username is the same everywhere. It's tied to your account, not to any single device.

What if I forgot my email address but I know my username?

Your username alone won't help you recover your account — Nintendo needs your email address to verify who you are. If you've forgotten your email, you can use the account recovery tool at accounts.nintendo.com and answer security questions to regain access.

Can I have the same username as someone else?

No. Nintendo usernames are unique — once someone takes a username, no one else can use it. If the username you want is taken, you'll need to choose a different one.