Nintendo Switch Secondary Console: Everything You Need To Know

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Nintendo Switch Secondary Console: Everything You Need to Know

So, you're thinking about getting a second Nintendo Switch? Awesome! Whether it's for the kids, a dedicated travel console, or just because you want one for every room, having a secondary Switch can be a game-changer. But before you rush out and buy another one, let's dive deep into everything you need to know about owning a Nintendo Switch as a secondary device.

Why Get a Second Nintendo Switch?

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's talk about why you might want a second Switch in the first place. There are plenty of valid reasons! Maybe your primary Nintendo Switch is hogged by other family members, and you're tired of fighting over who gets to play Animal Crossing next. Or perhaps you love taking your Switch on the go, but you also want one permanently docked at home. For some, it's simply about having a backup in case something happens to their main console. Whatever your reason, a secondary Switch can offer a lot of convenience and flexibility.

  • No More Sharing Struggles: This is a big one for families. A second Switch means everyone gets their own dedicated console, eliminating those arguments over screen time. Imagine the peace and quiet!
  • Travel Companion: Keep your primary Switch safely at home and dedicate the secondary one to all your travel adventures. No more worrying about damaging your main console on the road.
  • Dedicated Docked vs. Handheld: Some gamers prefer to keep one Switch docked for TV play and another strictly for handheld gaming. It's all about optimizing your gaming experience.
  • Backup Console: Accidents happen. Having a second Switch can be a lifesaver if your primary console breaks down or gets lost. You'll be back in the game in no time.
  • Experimentation: Maybe you want a Switch specifically for homebrew or other experimental software, without risking your main console. A secondary Switch is perfect for this.

Setting Up Your Secondary Nintendo Switch

Okay, you've decided to take the plunge and get a second Switch. Now what? Setting it up is pretty straightforward, but there are a few key things to keep in mind, especially when it comes to your Nintendo Account and digital games.

Nintendo Account Considerations

Your Nintendo Account is the key to accessing your digital games, online services, and save data. Here's what you need to know:

  • One Account, Multiple Consoles: You can use the same Nintendo Account on multiple Switch consoles. However, only one console can be designated as your primary console. This is important for accessing your digital games.
  • Primary Console Perks: Your primary console allows anyone who uses it to play your digital games, even without an internet connection. It's also where your Nintendo Switch Online benefits are fully accessible.
  • Secondary Console Limitations: On your secondary console, you can only play your digital games when connected to the internet, and only while logged in with your Nintendo Account. Other users on the secondary console cannot access your digital games under their own profiles. This prevents game sharing in a way that would let multiple people play the same game simultaneously on different consoles using only one purchase.
  • Changing Primary Console: You can change which console is designated as your primary console, but there's a catch. The easiest way is to deregister your current primary console. To deregister your current primary console, you must have access to that console and an internet connection. Go to Nintendo eShop on the console you wish to deregister, then go to your profile, scroll down and select Deregister. If your primary console is broken or lost, you can deregister it remotely through the Nintendo website, but you can only do this once per year. Think carefully before switching!

Downloading and Playing Games

  • Digital Games: As mentioned above, accessing your digital games on your secondary console requires an internet connection and being logged into your Nintendo Account. Simply go to the Nintendo eShop, find the game you want to play, and download it.
  • Physical Games: Physical game cartridges can be used on any Switch console without any restrictions. Just pop them in and play!
  • Save Data: Save data is typically stored on the console itself. To share save data between your primary and secondary consoles, you'll need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription and use the cloud save feature. Keep in mind that not all games support cloud saves.

Managing Multiple Consoles

Managing multiple Switch consoles can be a bit tricky, but here are some tips to make it easier:

  • Console Nicknames: Give each console a unique nickname to easily identify them in the system settings and on your Nintendo Account page.
  • Parental Controls: Set up parental controls on each console to manage screen time and restrict access to certain content for younger players.
  • Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership: If you have multiple family members using different Switch consoles, consider getting a Nintendo Switch Online Family Membership. This is more cost-effective than individual memberships for each person.

Transferring Data Between Switches

So, what if you want to move your user profile, save data, or even a digital game from one Switch to another? Nintendo provides a handy system transfer tool to help you do just that.

User Profile Transfer

This option lets you move your entire user profile, including your Nintendo Account, save data, and purchased games, from one Switch to another. Here's how it works:

  1. Make sure both consoles are connected to the internet and near each other.
  2. On the source console (the one you're transferring from), go to System Settings > Users > Transfer Your User Data.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions. You'll need to select the target console (the one you're transferring to) and confirm the transfer.
  4. The transfer process may take some time, depending on the amount of data being transferred.

Important Notes:

  • The user profile will be deleted from the source console after the transfer.
  • You can only transfer one user profile at a time.
  • Make sure you have enough storage space on the target console.

Save Data Transfer

If you don't want to transfer your entire user profile, you can transfer save data for individual games. This requires a Nintendo Switch Online subscription and the use of cloud saves.

  1. Make sure both consoles are connected to the internet and have cloud saves enabled for the game you want to transfer.
  2. On the target console, launch the game. If there's save data in the cloud, you'll be prompted to download it.

Important Notes:

  • Not all games support cloud saves.
  • You need to have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to use cloud saves.

Game Transfer

While you can't directly transfer a digital game from one Switch to another without redownloading it from the eShop, the User Profile Transfer option will move the license for the game to the new console. This means you won't have to repurchase the game.

Potential Issues and Troubleshooting

Owning a secondary Switch is usually smooth sailing, but here are a few potential issues you might encounter and how to fix them: