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To set up a Nintendo family group, sign in to the Nintendo Account website as the account that will administer it, open Family group, and select Create family group. You can invite existing Nintendo Accounts or create a child account through the group setup. A group can have up to eight accounts. It does not automatically share everyone’s digital-game libraries: eligible purchases can instead be lent as Virtual Game Cards for up to 14 days, while a Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership shares subscription benefits.
How to create a Nintendo family group
- Go to the Nintendo Account website and sign in with the account that should administer the group. If needed, create a Nintendo Account for the administrator first.
- Open Family group.
- Select Create family group. If a group already exists, select Add a member instead.
- Choose whether to invite an existing Nintendo Account or create a child account, then follow the prompts.
The North American support instructions say some child-account flows require verifiable parental consent. Prompts and legal requirements depend on your region, so follow the instructions shown for your location.
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How to add someone to your group
Invite an existing Nintendo Account
From Family group, choose the option to invite a member and enter the email address registered to their Nintendo Account. The recipient must open Nintendo’s invitation email, follow its verification link, sign in, and accept Join family group. Sending an invitation alone does not add them.
Add a child account
Choose the child-account option in the family-group flow and complete the account and consent prompts displayed for your region. Requirements vary by location.
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Only the family-group admin can add members. If the add-member option is missing, check that you are signed in as the admin. If the group already has eight accounts, a member must leave before another can be added. Nintendo describes the group as a way for up to eight Nintendo Account users to connect: What Is a Nintendo Account Family Group?
What a Nintendo family group shares—and what it does not
A family group organizes Nintendo Accounts; it does not make members’ purchases a shared, permanent game library. Group members can have different Nintendo Account country settings, and My Nintendo points and missions remain individual rather than being pooled or transferred.
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Nintendo Switch Online is a separate subscription. A purchaser’s Family Membership can cover the purchaser and up to seven other members of the family group. This shares eligible online-service benefits, not ownership of games bought by another member. Benefits depend on the membership tier; Nintendo’s U.S. page lists online play, classic-game libraries, and special offers among the benefits: Nintendo Switch Online.
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| Virtual Game Card lending | An eligible purchased game and its DLC | Up to 14 days per loan | Borrower must be in the family group; lending exchange requires nearby consoles; title and borrowing limits apply |
How digital game sharing with Virtual Game Cards works
Nintendo represents eShop games and DLC as Virtual Game Cards. The account that bought a game can load its Virtual Game Cards on up to two Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch consoles, in any combination. Once a card is loaded on a console, other users on that console can play its game or DLC, and the loaded card can be played offline. This is console loading controlled by the purchasing account, not an automatic family-group entitlement.
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- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
Nintendo also lets an account lend a Virtual Game Card to a member of its family group. The lender’s card is temporarily checked out; the owner cannot play that game while it is lent. Nintendo’s Virtual Game Card Guide describes lending as a way for family-group members to check out games.
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- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
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- The perfect gift for anyone who loves to play—including you. Choose from over 1,000 new, classic and indie games – delivered directly to your Nintendo Switch, Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Nintendo eShop Digital Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch, Wii U, and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
- Digital Card balances can be shared across Nintendo Switch, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account.
Rules and limits for lending
- The borrower must belong to the lender’s family group and have a user set up on the console receiving the game.
- The two consoles must be near each other to complete lending or borrowing.
- A borrower can borrow one Virtual Game Card at a time. One card can be lent at a time to a given console.
- A lender can lend up to three Virtual Game Cards at a time. A game’s DLC is lent with that game.
- Some games may not support lending; Nintendo’s reviewed guidance does not establish a complete title-by-title compatibility list.
- A loan lasts up to 14 days. It returns automatically when the period ends; the borrower can also return it early, after which the owner may retrieve it.
Which sharing option should you use?
- Use a family group to connect and manage Nintendo Accounts, invite members, and make eligible borrowers part of the group.
- Use a Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership if the goal is for group members to receive the subscription’s service benefits.
- Use Virtual Game Card lending when you want to let a family-group member borrow an eligible purchased game temporarily and can meet the proximity and console requirements.
- Load a Virtual Game Card on a console when the purchasing account controls that console and wants its other users to play the loaded game there.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
