Getting Started with Nintendo Switch 2

A Nintendo Account will allow you to access Nintendo eShop to purchase digital games and download demos, add friends, start a Nintendo Switch Online membership and access full Parental Controls settings. You may already have a Nintendo Account that you use on a Nintendo Switch console, a Nintendo smart device app or on My Nintendo.

You can also manage up to eight players' Nintendo Accounts in a family group to help supervise children or lend virtual game cards between consoles.

It is recommended that you link your existing Nintendo Account(s) to user(s) on your Nintendo Switch 2 console.

If you would like to add additional security to your Nintendo Account, the following information can help:

• How to Set Up 2-Step Authentication (named “two-step verification” in the Nintendo Account settings) for a Nintendo Account

• How to Manage Passkey Authentication for a Nintendo Account

• How to Manage Phone Number Registration for a Nintendo Account

• Add members to a Nintendo Account family group.

Follow the first-time setup instructions to start up the console and connect it to the internet.

If you want to perform a system transfer from a Nintendo Switch console, this can only be done during the initial setup process. See System Transfer from Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 for more information.

• If you don't want to transfer everything, individual save data can be transferred between consoles later via System Settings.

Each user will be able to keep their own save data for each game they play. Linking a Nintendo Account to each user on the console will help them get the most out of their experience.

Add a new user for each user.

A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to use online multiplayer, to access a growing library of Nintendo Classics games and to access exclusive offers for members. Follow the steps to start a Nintendo Switch Online membership if you don't have one yet.

• A persistent internet connection is required to use GameChat. Welcome Offer: GameChat can be enjoyed for free until the end of March 2026. Afterwards, a Nintendo Switch Online membership will be required.

Learn more about Nintendo Switch Online and the available membership options. A family membership allows all Nintendo Accounts in your family group to enjoy the same membership benefits.

• If you have a game card, insert it into your console and select the game from the HOME Menu to play it. Otherwise, head to Nintendo eShop to download digital software (games, demos and other software).

  • Game-key cards will prompt you to download additional data before the game can be played. An internet connection is required to complete the download.

• Most Nintendo Switch games can also be played on Nintendo Switch 2! Our website has detailed information about Nintendo Switch game compatibility.

• If you've purchased software with your Nintendo Account previously, you can download it to your Nintendo Switch 2 console through the Virtual Game Cards menu.

Complete the initial set-up on the console and link your Nintendo Account to your user.

Save data can be transferred via System Settings. Alternatively, a Nintendo Switch Online membership makes it possible to access your Save Data Cloud backups on both consoles for most games. For more information, see Nintendo Switch Online service FAQ.

If you don't have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, learn How to Transfer Save Data and How to Transfer Animal Crossing: New Horizons Save Data.

If you already have digital games, you'll be able to play them on your new console by pairing your consoles and loading your virtual game cards.

If the console is for a child, there are a few things you can do to monitor their gameplay experience.

• Set up a Nintendo Account for the parent or guardian of the child, then create a child account or invite an existing account for the child to be supervised.

• Install the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your smart device and use it to set play restrictions.

  • Some Parental Controls settings can also be set on the console without use of the app, if you prefer.

• Set Nintendo eShop restrictions on what the child can view or purchase on Nintendo eShop.

• Review our Info for Parents for more information on how to customise your child's experience.

If the Nintendo Switch 2 console will be given as a gift to a child, there are a few things you can do to ensure that the recipient is ready to play as quickly as possible.

• Follow the initial set-up steps above.

• Connect the Nintendo Switch 2 console to the wireless network where the recipient will be playing most often.

• Install the latest system update.

• Download any games from bundled or purchased download codes through Nintendo eShop so that the games are ready to play.

  • Be sure to use the Nintendo Account that the games should belong to.

• If this is the second console in a household, pair it to the first console to share virtual game cards.

• Review our Info for Parents to learn about the features of the console that allow you to manage what content and interactions your child can engage in.

After completing the initial set-up process and connecting the console to the internet, redeem the download code on Nintendo eShop. Be sure to use the Nintendo Account that the game should belong to.