The quickest way to add a friend on Switch

You can add a friend on Switch in three ways: by their user profile if they are nearby, by their friend code (a 12-digit number unique to their account), or by searching their username if you both have Nintendo Accounts linked to the internet. The fastest method depends on where you are. If you are in the same room, using profiles is when ready. If you are far apart, a friend code takes about two minutes. Username search works only if both of you have set up online play.

Before you start, make sure you are logged into your own Switch profile. You cannot add friends from the home screen — you must be inside a user account first.

Key Takeaways

  • Adding a friend by profile works when ready when you are near each other, but requires both Switches to be in the same room.
  • Friend codes are 12-digit numbers that work anywhere and do not require a Nintendo Account, making them the most reliable method for adding distant friends.
  • Username search only works if both players have linked a Nintendo Account to their Switch profile and have internet access.
  • Once you add someone, they appear in your friends list and you can see when they are online and what game they are playing.
  • You can block or remove a friend at any time from the same friends list menu.

Adding a friend using profiles when you are in the same room

This method works only if both Switches are physically close to each other. Open the user menu on your Switch by pressing the X button on the home screen. Select "Add Friend," then choose "Search for Local Users." Your Switch will scan for other Switches nearby. When you see the person's profile name appear on your screen, select it and confirm the request.

The other person does not need to do anything — the friendship is created as soon as you confirm. You will both see each other in your friends lists when ready. This method does not require internet or a Nintendo Account.

Adding a friend using a friend code

A friend code is a 12-digit number that uniquely identifies your Switch profile. To find your own friend code, press X on the home screen, select your profile name at the top, then scroll down to "Friend Code." Write down or screenshot the 16-digit number you see — the first four digits are your region code, and the last 12 are your actual friend code.

To add someone else using their friend code, press X on the home screen and select "Add Friend." Choose "Enter a Friend Code," then type in the 12-digit code they give you. Select "OK" and the request is sent. Unlike local profile adding, friend codes create a request that the other person must accept. They will see your request in their friends list and can accept or decline it. Once they accept, you are officially friends.

Friend codes work even if you do not have a Nintendo Account linked to your Switch, and they work across any distance. This is the most reliable method for adding friends you know in real life but cannot meet in person.

Adding a friend by searching their username

If both you and your friend have linked a Nintendo Account to your Switch profiles, you can search for them by their username. Press X on the home screen, select "Add Friend," then choose "Search for a User." Type in their username exactly as they set it up in their Nintendo Account. If they appear in the results, select their profile and send a friend request.

This method requires both players to have internet access and a Nintendo Account. The friend request is sent to them, and they must accept it before you are officially friends. Username search is useful if you know someone's online name but do not have their friend code, but it only works if their account is set to allow friend requests from non-friends — some players restrict this in their privacy settings.

What happens after you send a friend request

When you add someone by friend code or username search, they receive a notification that you want to be friends. They can accept, decline, or ignore the request. If they accept, you both see each other in your friends lists and can see when the other person is online. If they decline, the request disappears and you cannot send another one for a while.

Once someone is your friend, you can see what game they are playing, join their game session if the game supports it, and send them messages through the Switch messaging system. You can also remove them from your friends list at any time by selecting their name and choosing "Remove Friend."

Blocking or removing a friend

To remove a friend, press X on the home screen and select "Friends." Find the person in your list, select their name, and choose "Remove Friend." They will no longer appear in your friends list, but they can still send you a new friend request later if they want to.

If you want to prevent someone from contacting you, you can block them instead. Select their name from your friends list, choose "Block User," and confirm. A blocked person cannot send you friend requests, see when you are online, or join your game sessions. You can unblock them later from the same menu if you change your mind.

Troubleshooting common problems

If a friend code is not working, check that you typed all 12 digits correctly — friend codes are case-sensitive and even one wrong number will fail. If you are trying to add someone by username and they do not appear in search results, they may have set their account to private or may not have linked a Nintendo Account to their Switch profile yet.

If you are trying to add a friend locally and no profiles appear when you search, make sure both Switches have Bluetooth turned on and are within about 30 feet of each other. If you still see nothing, restart both Switches and try again. If you have sent a friend request and it has been more than a few days with no response, the other person may have declined it — you can send a new request after waiting a while.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Nintendo Account to add friends?

No. You can add friends using friend codes or local profile search without a Nintendo Account. However, if you want to add friends by username search or play online games, you will need a Nintendo Account linked to your Switch profile.

Can I add someone if they are not my friend in real life?

Yes. You can add anyone if you have their friend code or username. However, some players set their accounts to private, which blocks friend requests from people they do not already know. If someone declines your request, you cannot send another one when ready.

What is the difference between a friend code and a username?

A friend code is a 12-digit number that works without a Nintendo Account and works offline. A username is tied to your Nintendo Account and requires internet. Friend codes are more reliable for adding people you know, while usernames are useful if you want to add someone you met online.

Can I see what my friends are playing?

Yes. Once someone is your friend, you can see their online status and what game they are currently playing by selecting their name in your friends list. Some games let you join their session directly from this screen.

What happens if I remove a friend by accident?

They will no longer appear in your friends list, but you can add them again using their friend code or by searching their username. Removing someone does not block them — they can still send you a new friend request if they want to.