Have you ever shared your Nintendo Switch with a family member or friend, only to find your accounts are still linked on their console? Or perhaps you’ve sold an old Switch and want to make sure your personal account is completely removed. Knowing how to properly unlink your Nintendo Account is essential for keeping your digital purchases and save data secure.
What Happens When You Unlink an Account
Before you begin, it’s helpful to know what to expect. When you unlink your Nintendo Account from a Switch console, you are primarily removing that console’s ability to play the digital games you’ve purchased. Your account information and your game save data that is backed up to the cloud will remain safe with your account, ready to be accessed from another console.
Unlinking Your Account Directly from the Console
The most straightforward way to unlink an account is directly from the Switch console it’s currently on. From the Home Menu, go to System Settings. Scroll down and select Users, then choose the user profile linked to the Nintendo Account you want to remove. Scroll down to find the option that says Unlink Nintendo Account and confirm your choice. This will disconnect the account from that specific console.
Using the Nintendo Website for Remote Unlinking
If you no longer have physical access to the other Switch console, you can still unlink your account remotely. Visit the accounts.nintendo.com website and sign in to your Nintendo Account. Navigate to the Shop Menu in the sidebar. At the bottom of this page, you will find an option to Deregister Primary Console. This is a powerful step, as it de-registers that specific console, which is often needed to link your account to a new Switch as the primary device.
A Few Important Points to Remember
Always ensure you have a current Nintendo Switch Online membership if you want to preserve your game save data in the cloud. After unlinking, it’s a good practice to log into your new Switch and download your saved data from the cloud. This process helps you maintain control over your digital library and personal information, giving you peace of mind.
By following these steps, you can easily manage where your Nintendo Account is active, keeping your gaming experience both secure and personalized.
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