How to create a Nintendo Account Family Group

Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch (Image credit: iMore)

If your whole family is using your Nintendo Switch, you'll want to know how to create a Nintendo family group. You could always have each family member have their own account, but creating a family group of accounts will save on the cost by getting a family membership for Nintendo Switch Online. Here's how to create a Nintendo family group with your Nintendo switch accounts so you can start saving money!

Products used in this guide

The system: Nintendo Switch ($300 at Best Buy)

Create Nintendo Accounts for each family member first

The point of a family group is to bring together everyone's Nintendo Account under one subscription. Make sure each family member that wants to join in has gone through the steps on how to create a Nintendo Account before you create a joined family group.

How to send an invitation to join your family group

You'll be creating a family group from your Nintendo Account page online.

Before you start, make sure you know the email address for each person that you want to add to the group.

  1. Navigate to accounts.nintendo.com and sign in if you haven't already.
  2. Click on Family Group from the list of options below your profile avatar.
  3. Click on Add member.
  4. Click on Invite someone to your family group..
  5. Enter the email address for the person you want to add to the family group.
  6. Click Submit.
  7. Repeat for each person you want to add to your Family Group.

You'll see a notification that the member has not been added yet. After the person confirms the invite, you'll see that they are now a member of your group.

How to accept an invitation to a family group

Once an invitation is sent, you'll receive an invitation via email from Nintendo.

Make sure to check your Social tab for the email if you're using Gmail.

  1. Click on the URL listed in the email or copy and paste it into your browser.
  2. Click Join Family Group.
  3. Click on OK.

You'll now be part of the family group, which will make it possible to subscribe to the $35 annual Nintendo Switch Online family plan (for up to eight people) instead of the individual $20 annual plan. Or you can subscribe to the $80 annual Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack family plan instead of the individual $50. The + Expansion Pack membership adds N64 and Sega Genesis games.

How to make someone else the family group administrator

If you've created the family group, but someone else will eventually be the one paying the annual subscription cost, you can change who the family group administrator is right now.

  1. Navigate to accounts.nintendo.com and sign in if you haven't already.
  2. Click on Family Group from the list of options below your profile avatar.
  3. Click on Manage Family Group.
  4. Click on Change Family Group Admin.
  5. Click Submit to verify your email address.
  6. Enter the Verification code you received via email from Nintendo. (Check your social tab if you're using Gmail).
  7. Click Submit.
  8. Click Select this person next to the name of the person you want to make the family group administrator.
  9. Click Confirm Change to confirm that you want to make this person the family group's new administrator.

The new administrator will receive an email notification to accept the change. You will no longer have administrator privileges for this family group.

How to remove a family group member

Kicking someone out of the fam? No problem. The administrator of the family group can remove a member with just a few clicks.

Note: The only person that can remove a member is the family group's administrator.

  1. Navigate to accounts.nintendo.com and sign in if you haven't already.
  2. Click on Family Group from the list of options below your profile avatar.
  3. Click on Manage Family Group.
  4. Click on Remove a Family Group Member.
  5. Click Select this person next to the name of the person you want to remove from the Family Group.
  6. Click Confirm to confirm that you want to remove this person from the Family Group.

Now all you have to do is master your family group and start saving money by buying a Nintendo Switch Online family membership!

Our top equipment picks

There's a ton of great content for the whole family on the Nintendo Switch. Now that you know how to create a Nintendo family group, you can enjoy great single-player titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, some of the best Switch family games such as Mario Party Superstars, and great games for kids like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Every member of your family will always have something to play!

Some great accessories

Nintendo Labo Variety Kit

Nintendo Labo Variety Kit (Image credit: Nintendo)

Nintendo Labo Variety Kit ($86 at Amazon)

Build a wide variety of cardboard contraptions to interact with your Nintendo Switch in new and exciting ways!

Pro Controller Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Image credit: Nintendo)

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller ($70 at Best Buy)

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller offers a more traditional console gamepad but still has all the Joy-Con features.

Hori Compact PlayStand

Hori Compact PlayStand (Image credit: HORI)

HORI Compact Playstand (From $13 at Walmart)

HORI's Compact Playstand raises the Switch off the ground with a cutout for the charging cable so you can keep your game going while it's juicing up. Plus, the stand collapses down flat so you can take it on the go without it taking up too much space.

Lory Gil

Lory is a renaissance woman, writing news, reviews, and how-to guides for iMore. She also fancies herself a bit of a rock star in her town and spends too much time reading comic books.  If she's not typing away at her keyboard, you can probably find her at Disneyland or watching Star Wars (or both).