To set up a Nintendo family group, sign in to the Nintendo Account website as the account that will administer the group, open Family group, and select Create family group. The admin can invite existing accounts or add a child account. A group can hold up to eight Nintendo Accounts, but creating one does not give members unrestricted access to one another’s digital games. Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership shares subscription benefits; eligible Virtual Game Cards provide a separate, temporary game-lending option.
How to create a Nintendo family group
- Sign in to the Nintendo Account website using the account that will administer the group. If needed, create a Nintendo Account for the admin first.
- Open Family group.
- Select Create family group. If a group already exists, select Add a member instead.
- To add an existing account, choose the invitation option and enter the email address registered to that Nintendo Account. The recipient must open Nintendo’s invitation email, sign in, and accept Join family group.
- To add a child, choose the child-account option and follow the account and consent prompts shown for your region. Some North American child-account flows require verifiable parental consent; age and legal requirements vary by location.
The group can contain up to eight users. Only its admin can add members. If Add a member is missing, confirm that you are signed in as the admin; if the group already has eight users, a member must leave before another can join. See Nintendo’s instructions for adding members.
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What a family group does—and does not—share
A family group links Nintendo Accounts for account management. It can include general accounts, parent or guardian accounts, and supervised accounts, and members may have different country settings. My Nintendo missions and points stay with each individual account; they are not pooled or transferred. Nintendo describes the group as a way for up to eight Nintendo Account users to connect, not as a shared game library (Nintendo Support: What Is a Nintendo Account Family Group?).
Does Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership share games?
No. A Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership shares subscription benefits, not ownership of members’ purchased games. Nintendo says one Family Membership can cover its purchaser and up to seven other family-group members. The benefits depend on the membership tier; Nintendo’s U.S. page lists online play, classic-game libraries, and special offers among them. See Nintendo Switch Online for the U.S. plan information.
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How to share digital games with Virtual Game Cards
Nintendo’s Virtual Game Card system offers two different ways for an account’s purchases to be used on other consoles. Loading a card is controlled by the purchasing account; lending is a temporary checkout for a family-group member.
Load a card on a console
An account 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, other users on that console can play the game or its DLC, and the loaded card can be played offline. This is console-based access under the purchaser’s account control, not an automatic entitlement for everyone in the family group.
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Lend a card to a family-group member
The owner can lend eligible Virtual Game Cards to Nintendo Account family-group members. The borrower needs a user on the receiving console, and the consoles must be near each other to complete the lending or borrowing process. Nintendo’s Virtual Game Card Guide explains the system.
Quick Recap
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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.
- A borrower can borrow one card at a time. A card can be lent at a time to one receiving console.
- The owner can lend up to three Virtual Game Cards at a time. DLC for a game 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, then returns automatically. The borrower may return it earlier, and the owner may retrieve it. While the card is lent, its owner cannot play that game until it is returned or retrieved.
Choose the right sharing option
| Option | What it shares | Duration | Main limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership | Subscription benefits for the purchaser and up to seven other family-group members | While the membership covers the group | Benefits depend on the membership tier; it does not share purchased game ownership |
| Virtual Game Card lending | An eligible purchased game and its DLC with a family-group member | Up to 14 days | Supported titles only; consoles must be near each other for the exchange; one card per borrower at a time, and the owner cannot play while it is lent |
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.
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