To set up a Nintendo family group, sign in to the Nintendo Account website as the group admin, open Family group, and select Create family group. The admin can invite existing Nintendo Accounts or create a child account through the available flow. A family group can contain up to eight accounts—but it does not automatically give everyone access to everyone else’s purchased games. Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership shares subscription benefits; eligible Virtual Game Cards can be lent temporarily under separate rules.
What a Nintendo family group does—and does not—share
A Nintendo family group links Nintendo Accounts for account management and certain shared benefits. Nintendo allows up to eight accounts in a group, which can include general, parent or guardian, and supervised accounts. Members can have different Nintendo Account country settings. Nintendo’s family-group support page describes the group as a connection between accounts; it is not a shared digital-game library.
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My Nintendo missions and points remain individual, and family grouping does not pool or transfer them. Digital purchases likewise remain associated with the purchasing account unless the owner makes them available through console loading or lends an eligible Virtual Game Card.
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- Sign in to the Nintendo Account website with the account that will administer the group. If needed, create a Nintendo Account to serve as the admin.
- Open Family group.
- If no group exists, select Create family group. If one already exists, select Add a member.
- To add an existing account, choose the invite option and enter the email address registered to that person’s Nintendo Account.
- The invited person must open Nintendo’s invitation email, follow its verification link, sign in to their Nintendo Account, and accept Join family group.
Only the family-group 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 members, an existing member must leave before someone else can join.
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Adding a child account
Choose the child-account option in the family-group flow and follow the account-creation and consent prompts shown for your region. Nintendo’s North American instructions note that some child-account flows require verifiable parental consent. Age thresholds and legal requirements vary by location, so the prompts and available steps may differ outside North America.
What a Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership shares
Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription, separate from game ownership. When a group member purchases a Family Membership, it can cover that purchaser and up to seven other members of the family group. Covered members receive service benefits according to the membership tier, rather than access to the purchaser’s digital-game collection. Nintendo’s U.S. product page lists benefits such as online play, classic-game libraries, and special offers; exact benefits depend on tier and regional availability. See Nintendo’s U.S. Nintendo Switch Online page.
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How to share a purchased game with a Virtual Game Card
Nintendo represents eShop games and DLC as Virtual Game Cards. The account that owns a card can load its Virtual Game Cards on up to two Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch consoles, in any combination. Once loaded, other users on that console can also play the game or DLC, and a loaded card can be played offline. Loading is controlled by the purchasing account; it is not automatic access granted to every family-group member. Nintendo’s Virtual Game Card guide explains the feature.
An owner can also lend an eligible Virtual Game Card to someone in their Nintendo Account family group. The borrower must have a user on the receiving console, and the consoles must be near each other to complete the lending or borrowing exchange. The practical limits are:
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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.
- A borrower can borrow one Virtual Game Card at a time.
- One card can be lent at a time to a given 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 guide does not establish a complete title-by-title compatibility list.
A loan lasts up to 14 days. It returns automatically when that period ends, or the borrower can return it earlier; the owner may also retrieve it. While the card is lent, the owner cannot play that game until it is returned or retrieved. This is a temporary checkout, not simultaneous permanent access for everyone in the group.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which sharing option fits your situation?
| Option | What it shares | Who can use it | Duration and key limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership | Subscription-service benefits, not game ownership | The purchaser and up to seven other family-group members, subject to the plan tier | While covered by the membership; benefits depend on tier and regional availability |
| Virtual Game Card lending | An eligible purchased game and its DLC | An eligible family-group member with a user on the receiving console | Up to 14 days; lending exchange requires nearby consoles, and title and borrowing limits apply |
| Loading a Virtual Game Card on a console | A game or DLC associated with the purchasing account | Other users on a console where the card is loaded | Cards associated with one account can be loaded on up to two Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch consoles |
Choose a Family Membership if the goal is shared Nintendo Switch Online service benefits. Choose Virtual Game Card lending when another group member needs temporary access to a particular eligible game. Loading a card is a separate option for making it playable by users on a console where it is loaded.
Quick Recap
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- This item can be redeemed on eShop only. This item cannot be redeemed on the Wii Shop
- 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.
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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