You may have a Nintendo Account. You may have a Nintendo Network ID (NNID). If you’ve just started using Nintendo Switch or need to transfer data from another Nintendo console, you may find that the two accounts are not linked together. There are several reasons why connecting your Nintendo Account to your NNID could be beneficial for your gaming experience, such as the ability to combine your online store funds across multiple devices, which is useful if you plan to get another console like a Nintendo Switch OLED. Here’s how to link your NNID to your Nintendo Account.
What is the difference between a Nintendo Network ID and a Nintendo Account?
The short answer is that an NNID is used to make purchases on the Wii U and 3DS, while a Nintendo Account is used to make purchases on the Switch. To expand on this a bit further, if you have a Wii U or a 3DS, you’ve probably created an NNID to use the eShop or to access multiplayer features and other system-wide interactions.
You’ll want to merge the accounts when you get a Switch so that you can use whatever money is left in your NNID account to buy some great Switch games.
Another benefit of combining your accounts is My Nintendo rewards. You earn points for completing achievements in games connected to your Nintendo Account. These points can be redeemed for rewards that can be used on all of your Nintendo devices.
How to link Nintendo Network ID to Nintendo Account
If you have an NNID and want to link it to your Nintendo Account, you can do so by visiting the Nintendo website from a web browser.
You’ll need your Nintendo Account username and password and NNID, so make sure you have them handy.
- Move towards accounts.nintendo.com from a web browser.
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Enter the e-mail address and password associated with your Nintendo Account.
Source: iMore - To select User information in the menu on the left side.
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Scroll down and select Edit next to Linked Accounts.
Source: iMore - Check the box next to Nintendo Network ID.
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Enter the Username and Password associated with your NNID if prompted.
Source: iMore
Now you can head over to the eShop on your Switch and merge your funds, so you can buy games across all of your Nintendo devices (well, three of them, at least) using the same account.
How to unlink your Nintendo Network ID from your Nintendo Account
I can’t imagine any reason why you would want to unlink your two accounts once you’ve linked them, but it is an option.
To note: If you unlink your NNID account from your Nintendo Account, all funds will be transferred to your Nintendo Account. You can merge your funds again if you link your accounts again in the future.
- Move towards accounts.nintendo.com from a web browser.
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Enter the e-mail address and password associated with your Nintendo Account.
Source: iMore - To select User information in the menu on the left side.
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Scroll down and select Edit next to Linked Accounts.
Source: iMore -
Uncheck the box next to the link Nintendo Network ID.
Source: iMore
Connected!
You now know how to link or unlink your Nintendo Network ID with your Nintendo Account. This will help you transfer data from one console to another, like when you transfer data from your Nintendo 3DS to your Nintendo Switch or when you pick up a new Nintendo Switch.
Additional equipment
If you’re looking for a way to improve your Switch gaming experience, you should definitely consider getting the following accessories.
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