How to Un-link Nintendo Account From Switch: In 7 Steps With Photos

Nintendo Accounts are a little strange because Nintendo did not set them up like those on Xbox and PlayStation. It is actually impossible to un-link a Nintendo Account from a Nintendo Switch. The reason is that they actually paired the Nintendo Account with a user account rather than with the console itself. This is an important distinction because the two account types are used interchangeably. The difference is that the Switch has “User Accounts”, which allows multiple people to use the same console. This is great if you have children or other family members sharing a device. However, the Nintendo Account is mated to the user account. The only way to remove a Nintendo Account from a Switch is to remove all the user accounts associated with it as well.

So, here’s how to do that.

Step 1: Turn on the Switch

The first thing you need to do to un-link a Nintendo Account is to turn on the Switch Console. You can do this by tapping the power button or holding the “Home” button on the Joy-con.

Step 2: Go to System Settings

Once on the home screen, choose the settings icon from the lower menu bar. The settings menu uses the image of a gear.

Step 3: Choose “User”

Now that you are in the settings menu, you need to select “User” from the menu on the left. This will bring you to all the options you can modify for user accounts.

Step 4: Select “Delete”

On the page with all the user account settings, you need to select “Delete.” You can usually find this at the bottom, so you may have to scroll down to see it.

Step 5: Follow the On-Screen Prompts

After selecting “Delete,” there will be some prompts on the screen. The first thing it will ask you to do is unlock parental controls if they are on. There will also be warnings letting you know that the connected Nintendo Account will be removed, and any associated data will be lost. Just click through all of those screens with the “Continue” and “Next” buttons.

Step 6: Confirm Your Choice

The last screen you will encounter before permanently deleting the accounts is a final warning. You need to confirm by selecting “Delete This User”.

Step 7: Go Back to Settings Menu

Once you have successfully deleted the account, you will see a message confirming that it was removed. Simply press “OK” to be taken back to the settings menu. From there, you can exit the settings menu or add another user.

Link a Nintendo Account on Switch

Having a Nintendo Account linked to your Nintendo Switch is integral to using all the features that the console offers. For instance, you need a Nintendo Account in order to purchase games from the eShop. That isn’t a big deal to some people, as many don’t even use the online store. Certainly, you don’t have to purchase games online and can instead use cartridges.

However, there are still times when a Nintendo Switch Account is great to have. A great example is that you need a Nintendo Account to use Nintendo Online. This is a paid subscription service that not only lets you access online modes in games like Splatoon, but it also offers a plethora of older titles for free from the NES and SNES eras.

Remove Nintendo Account From User Account

Nintendo no longer allows Switch owners to remove Nintendo Accounts from a User Account. This was possible in the early days of the Switch, but Nintendo removed the ability in an update. Because it is no longer possible to separate the two accounts, that leaves only one option to un-link a Nintendo Account from the Switch, and that is completely deleting all User Accounts associated with it.