The digital games and DLC you purchase through Nintendo eShop are treated as virtual game cards on your console. This allows you to digitally load and eject your virtual game cards like you would a physical game card—for example, if you own a Nintendo Switch 2 and a Nintendo Switch console, you can eject a virtual game card from one console and then load it on the second console.
When a virtual game card for a game or DLC is loaded onto a console, it can be played even if the console is not connected to the internet, and other users who are on that console can also play the game or DLC.
You can also lend your games to your Nintendo Account family group members, so they can check out the games for themselves.
Virtual Game Cards Getting started with virtual game cards Using virtual game cards Lending virtual game cards to family members Playing your games on more than two consoles Getting started with virtual game cardsYour virtual game cards are accessed through
Virtual Game Cards
Tarjetas de juego virtuales
Cartes de jeu virtuelles
Cartões de jogo virtuais
on the HOME Menu. Once linked together, you can freely swap your virtual game cards back and forth between up to two consoles as long as they are powered on (or in sleep mode) and he an active internet connection. All other users on your consoles that can load virtual game cards can also play your games or DLC if they are loaded to the console.
If you he not previously loaded virtual game cards on any of your consoles, choose a console you would like to use and select
Virtual Game Cards
Tarjetas de juego virtuales
Cartes de jeu virtuelles
Cartões de jogo virtuais
from the HOME Menu to start using your virtual game cards.
This can occur if you are using a Nintendo Switch console, but the console is not up to date. Perform a system update, and the option should appear.
Message: A system can be linked with a max of one other system.This message appears if you already he two consoles that can load virtual game cards associated with your Nintendo Account. If you want to play your digital content on a different console, you he two options:
Change which two consoles can load virtual game cards, as described below. Review the options described in How to Play Your Games Across Multiple Nintendo Switch Systems if you want to play your games on more than two consoles. How to prepare a second console to use virtual game cardsYou can he up to two Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch consoles that can load virtual game cards associated with your Nintendo Account, in any combination.
If you would like to load your virtual game cards on a second console, you will first need to link the consoles—you only need to perform this linking process once, unless you he more than two consoles and want to change which can load virtual game cards.
Follow these steps to link two of your consoles so they can both load your virtual game cards:
Bring the console that can already load your virtual game cards and the second console where you want to load virtual game cards close to each other. No access to any of the consoles that can load virtual game cardsIf you no longer he access to any of your existing consoles that can load virtual game cards, please contact us for assistance.
Connect both consoles to the internet. How to connect Nintendo Switch 2 to a wireless home network Place the Nintendo Switch 2 console within 10 feet of the wireless router so there will be a strong wireless signal. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.For more details, please see How to Connect to the Internet on Nintendo Switch 2
How to connect Nintendo Switch to a wireless home network Place the Nintendo Switch console within 10 feet of the wireless router to ensure a strong wireless signal. Select Settings from the HOME Menu
on the Nintendo Switch console.
Select Internet, and then Internet Settings 
. The Nintendo Switch will automatically search for near-by Wi-Fi signals.
Select the appropriate network name (SSID) from the list.
If prompted, use the onscreen keyboard to enter the network's wireless password 
.
The Nintendo Switch will test the Internet connection. Once the test is complete, select OK to complete the process.
For more information, see How to Connect to the Internet Using a Wireless Network.
Link your Nintendo Account to a user on the second console, if you he not already done so. How to link an existing Nintendo Account to Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch Select System Settings on the HOME Menu. Scroll down to highlight UsersUsuariosUtilisateursUsuários, then select the user you want to link to to access the Profile Settings. Select Sign in to a Nintendo Account or Link Nintendo Account. Sign in to your Nintendo Account. If you've forgotten your Nintendo Account sign-in information, you can recover or reset your sign-in information. Select Link to link your Nintendo Account to the user account on the console. Once the Nintendo Account is linked, it cannot be unlinked or changed for that user account. Click OK on the confirmation message to return to the system settings.For more information, including how to create and link a new Nintendo Account, see How to Link a Nintendo Account to Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch.
On the second console: Select Virtual Game CardsIf you he forgotten your password, please follow Forgot Nintendo Account Sign-in Info.
Forgot PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or entered PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN incorrectlyIf you he forgotten your user-verification PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or you entered the incorrect PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN too many times, follow these steps:
With the PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN entry screen displayed, press the + button.For more information about user verification, read the User-Verification Settings Guide.
Select one of your virtual game cards that you would like to load on this console. Select Load on This System Cargar en esta consola Charger sur cette console Carregar neste console . Select Next Seguir Suite Próximo .If you he forgotten your password, please follow Forgot Nintendo Account Sign-in Info.
Forgot PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or entered PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN incorrectlyIf you he forgotten your user-verification PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or you entered the incorrect PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN too many times, follow these steps:
With the PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN entry screen displayed, press the + button.For more information about user verification, read the User-Verification Settings Guide.
A message about linking to another console will appear. Select Link Vincular Synchroniser Vincular .These two consoles are now linked and you can load your virtual game cards on both consoles, even if they are not close to each other.
Note that game se data is associated with your Nintendo Account and the console you play on. If you want to use the same se data on both consoles, you can transfer the data or use the Se Data Cloud Backup feature if you he a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
How to transfer se data from one console to anotherTransferring se data will remove the se data from the source console and move it to the target console.
You can transfer se data as often as you need.
For details, read How to Transfer Your Se Data To a Nearby Console.
How to use Se Data Cloud Backup on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo SwitchIf you he a Nintendo Switch Online membership, you can use the Se Data Cloud backup feature to back up se data from one console and download it on another.
To back up se data: Using the console that has the se data you want to back up, from the HOME Menu, highlight the icon for a game with se data you want to back up. Press the - Button or + Button to access the software menu. Select Se Data Cloud. Select the desired user, then select Back Up Se Data. To download se data: Using the console that you want to download the se data to, from the HOME Menu, highlight the icon for a game with se data you want to download. Press the - Button or + Button to access the software menu. Select Se Data Cloud. Select the desired user, then select Download Se Data.For more details, read How to Back Up Se Data on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch and How to Download Se Data Cloud Backups on Nintendo Switch 2 or on Nintendo Switch.
How to change which consoles can load virtual game cardsYou can load the virtual game cards associated with your Nintendo Account on up to two consoles. If you he more than two consoles or are replacing a console with a new one, you can change which consoles can load your virtual game cards.
What if I he more than two consoles that I want to use?If you he more than two consoles that you want to use to play your digital games, please read How to Play Your Games Across Multiple Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch Consoles.
To change which two consoles can load your virtual game cards, follow these steps:
Bring at least one of your consoles that can load virtual game cards and the new console you want to use close to each other. No access to either of the consoles that can load virtual game cardsIf you no longer he access to either of your existing consoles that can load virtual game cards, please contact us for assistance.
Link your Nintendo Account to a user on the new console you want to use to load virtual game cards, if you he not already done so. How to link an existing Nintendo Account to Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch Select System Settings on the HOME Menu. Scroll down to highlight UsersUsuariosUtilisateursUsuários, then select the user you want to link to to access the Profile Settings. Select Sign in to a Nintendo Account or Link Nintendo Account. Sign in to your Nintendo Account. If you've forgotten your Nintendo Account sign-in information, you can recover or reset your sign-in information. Select Link to link your Nintendo Account to the user account on the console. Once the Nintendo Account is linked, it cannot be unlinked or changed for that user account. Click OK on the confirmation message to return to the system settings.For more information, including how to create and link a new Nintendo Account, see How to Link a Nintendo Account to Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch.
On the new console: Select Virtual Game CardsTurn the console you want to unlink on and connect it to the internet, then try to unlink it again.
If you do not he access to the console you want to unlink because it was lost or stolen, you may be able to unlink it using the Account Home website.
Select OK Aceptar OK OK . Make sure the consoles that will be linked are close to each other, then select Systems Are Close Enough Las consolas ya están cerca. Les consoles sont suffisament proches Os consoles estão próximos o suficiente . On the console that can already load virtual game cards: Select Virtual Game CardsIf you he forgotten your password, please follow Forgot Nintendo Account Sign-in Info.
Forgot PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or entered PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN incorrectlyIf you he forgotten your user-verification PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or you entered the incorrect PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN too many times, follow these steps:
With the PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN entry screen displayed, press the + button.For more information about user verification, read the User-Verification Settings Guide.
A message about linking to another console will appear. Select Link Vincular Synchroniser Vincular .To play your virtual game cards, you need to load them on one of your two consoles that can load virtual game cards. You can freely load and eject them between your two consoles, just like physical games, and you can load as many of them as you want on either console as long as you he enough space to download them—you do not need to eject a virtual game card to load a different one on the same console.
How to load a virtual game card on a console Select Virtual Game CardsIf you he forgotten your password, please follow Forgot Nintendo Account Sign-in Info.
Forgot PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or entered PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN incorrectlyIf you he forgotten your user-verification PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or you entered the incorrect PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN too many times, follow these steps:
With the PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN entry screen displayed, press the + button.For more information about user verification, read the User-Verification Settings Guide.
Select the game you want to load from the list of your virtual game cards. How to load multiple virtual game cards at once When in the virtual game card menu, press X to open the Quick Load Acciones rápidas Chargement rapide Seleção múltipla menu.If you he a second console where you can load virtual game cards, you can instead select Load on Other System Cargar en otra consola Charger sur une autre console Carregar em outro console to eject the virtual game card from this console and load it to your other console (if it is online and powered on or in sleep mode).
Game has been lent to a family memberIf you he loaned this virtual game card to someone else, you will not be able to load it to your console until the game is returned after fourteen days, the borrower returns it, or you retrieve it by selecting Collect from Family Group Member Recuperar Récupérer d'un membre du groupe familial Reer de um participante do grupo de familia .
Message: Unable to load because the software is currently being played.This indicates that the game you are trying to load is currently being played on your other console that can load virtual game cards. Close the game on the other console, then try to load the virtual game card on this console again.
If you do not he access to your other console because it was lost or stolen, you will need to unlink that console as one of your consoles that can load virtual game cards.
Message: Couldn't collect because the other user's system is offline.This indicates that the game you are trying to load is currently loaded on your other console that can load virtual game cards, and that console is powered off or not connected to the internet.
Turn the other console on and connect it to the internet, then try to load the virtual game card on this console again.
If you do not he access to your other console because it was lost or stolen, you will need to unlink that console as one of your consoles that can load virtual game cards.
The icon for the game will appear on the HOME Menu—all users on the console where the game is loaded can now play the game. If the game was not previously installed on the console where you loaded it, the game will begin downloading automatically from Nintendo eShop if the console is powered on or in sleep mode and connected to the internet. How to manage your virtual game cards without access to a consoleInstead of swapping your virtual game cards between your consoles using the consoles themselves, you can sign in to your Nintendo Account on the Nintendo Account portal and load and eject your virtual game cards from your two consoles that can load virtual game cards.
Visit the Nintendo Account portal. Select Virtual Game Cards Tarjetas de juego virtuales Cartes de jeu virtuelles Cartões de jogo virtuais . Select the game you would like to manage. Select Load on System Cargar en esta consola Charger sur cette console Carregar no console (or Load on Other System Cargar en otra consola Charger sur une autre console Carregar em outro console , if the game is already loaded on a console). Select the console you would like to load the game to, then select Load Cargar Charger Carregar . Message: Couldn't load because target system isn't connectedVirtual game cards can only be loaded on a console if that console is connected to the internet and powered on or in sleep mode.
Make sure the console is on and connected to the internet, then try to load the virtual game card onto it again.
Select OK Aceptar OK OK . How to eject a virtual game card from a console How to eject a single virtual game card Select Virtual Game CardsIf you he forgotten your password, please follow Forgot Nintendo Account Sign-in Info.
Forgot PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or entered PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN incorrectlyIf you he forgotten your user-verification PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or you entered the incorrect PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN too many times, follow these steps:
With the PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN entry screen displayed, press the + button.For more information about user verification, read the User-Verification Settings Guide.
Select the game you want to eject from the list of your virtual game cards. Select Options Opciones Options Opções . Select Eject from This System Expulsar de esta consola Éjecter de cette console Ejetar deste console . Select OK Aceptar OK OK twice. How to eject all of the virtual game cards currently loaded on a console Select Virtual Game CardsIf you he forgotten your password, please follow Forgot Nintendo Account Sign-in Info.
Forgot PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or entered PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN incorrectlyIf you he forgotten your user-verification PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or you entered the incorrect PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN too many times, follow these steps:
With the PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN entry screen displayed, press the + button.For more information about user verification, read the User-Verification Settings Guide.
Press X to open the Quick Load Acciones rápidas Chargement rapide Seleção múltipla menu.If you he forgotten your password, please follow Forgot Nintendo Account Sign-in Info.
Forgot PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or entered PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN incorrectlyIf you he forgotten your user-verification PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or you entered the incorrect PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN too many times, follow these steps:
With the PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN entry screen displayed, press the + button.For more information about user verification, read the User-Verification Settings Guide.
Select the game or DLC you want to hide. Select Options Opciones Options Opções . Select Hide Ocultar Masquer Ocultar twice to hide the game from the list of your virtual game cards. Note that you can still perform various actions with hidden virtual game cards, like loading them in order to play or lending them to family members. To do so, follow the steps below to view your hidden virtual game cards. How to view a hidden virtual game card Select Virtual Game CardsIf you he forgotten your password, please follow Forgot Nintendo Account Sign-in Info.
Forgot PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or entered PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN incorrectlyIf you he forgotten your user-verification PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or you entered the incorrect PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN too many times, follow these steps:
With the PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN entry screen displayed, press the + button.For more information about user verification, read the User-Verification Settings Guide.
Scroll down and select Can't Find Software? No encuentro ciertos programas Logiciels introuvables? Não consegue encontrar um software específico? .If you he forgotten your password, please follow Forgot Nintendo Account Sign-in Info.
Forgot PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or entered PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN incorrectlyIf you he forgotten your user-verification PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or you entered the incorrect PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN too many times, follow these steps:
With the PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN entry screen displayed, press the + button.For more information about user verification, read the User-Verification Settings Guide.
Scroll down and select Can't Find Software? No encuentro ciertos programas Logiciels introuvables? Não consegue encontrar um software específico? .Just like with physical game cards, you can lend certain virtual game cards to other people. Keep in mind that you will not be able to play games that you lend out to other people, and you don't necessarily need to lend out games to share them—any user on one of your consoles that can load virtual game cards can play any of your virtual game cards loaded to the console.
There are some restrictions for lending virtual game cards:
You and the borrower must he your consoles in proximity to each other to lend or borrow a virtual game card. The borrower must be part of your Nintendo Account family group. You can lend up to three virtual game cards at a time. The borrower can only borrow one game at a time—they cannot borrow games from multiple different people at once. You can only lend one virtual game card at a time to a particular console, even if multiple family members he users on that console. You cannot lend a virtual game card to a console that has users from multiple different family groups on the console. When you lend a game, any DLC you he purchased is also lent. Some games may not support lending virtual game cards to family membersVirtual game cards can be lent to a family member for 14 days, after which they are automatically returned and can be lent out again. The borrower can return them early if they are done playing—you can also retrieve them early if necessary.
How to lend and borrow virtual game cards Bring one of your consoles that can load virtual game cards and the console of the person that you want to lend the game card to close to each other. Make sure both consoles are connected to the internet. How to connect Nintendo Switch 2 to a wireless home network Place the Nintendo Switch 2 console within 10 feet of the wireless router so there will be a strong wireless signal. Select System Settings from the HOME Menu.For more details, please see How to Connect to the Internet on Nintendo Switch 2
How to connect Nintendo Switch to a wireless home network Place the Nintendo Switch console within 10 feet of the wireless router to ensure a strong wireless signal. Select Settings from the HOME Menu on the Nintendo Switch console.
Select Internet, and then Internet Settings . The Nintendo Switch will automatically search for near-by Wi-Fi signals.
Select the appropriate network name (SSID) from the list.
If prompted, use the onscreen keyboard to enter the network's wireless password .
The Nintendo Switch will test the Internet connection. Once the test is complete, select OK to complete the process.
For more information, see How to Connect to the Internet Using a Wireless Network.
On your console: Select Virtual Game CardsIf you he forgotten your password, please follow Forgot Nintendo Account Sign-in Info.
Forgot PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or entered PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN incorrectlyIf you he forgotten your user-verification PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or you entered the incorrect PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN too many times, follow these steps:
With the PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN entry screen displayed, press the + button.For more information about user verification, read the User-Verification Settings Guide.
Select the game you want to lend to your family member from the list of your virtual game cards. Select Lend to Family Group Member Prestar a un miembro del grupo familiar Prêter à un membre du groupe familial Emprestar para um participante do grupo de família . Select Select a User to Lend To Elegir a quien prestar Sélectionner la personne qui emprunte Escolher para quem emprestar . Choose who you want to lend the virtual game card to from the list of your Nintendo Account family members. Be sure to choose someone whose Nintendo Account is linked to a user on the console you want to lend the game to. Desired user does not appearThis means the person you want to lend the game to is not a member of your family group. You can only lend games to members of your family group—add them to your family group, then try lending them the game again.
Message: Cannot lend this user virtual game cards right now. You can lend each person only one game at a time.This means you he already lent that user a game—you can only lend one virtual game card at a time to each borrower. If you would like to let them borrow a different game, ask them to return the one they are currently borrowing, or retrieve the game that you he currently lent to them:
Select the game they are currently borrowing from the list of your virtual game cards. Select Collect from Family Group Member Recuperar Récupérer d'un membre du groupe familial Reer de um participante do grupo de familia . Select Collect Recuperar Récupérer Reer to confirm.When the lent game has been returned, you can lend them a different game.
Select Lend Prestar Prêter Emprestar . On the console with the user that will borrow the game: Select Virtual Game CardsSelect OK, move the consoles closer to each other, and try again.
Message: You cannot borrow any more virtual game cards.This indicates that the borrower has already borrowed a virtual game card from someone. They can only borrow one virtual game card at once—he them return the currently borrowed game, then try borrowing this game again.
Message: You cannot borrow any more virtual game cards on this system.This indicates that someone else with a user on this console has already borrowed a virtual game card. Each console can only he one borrowed game card at once—he the person who is borrowing the other game return that game, then try borrowing this game again.
Message: You cannot borrow on this system because at least one of the users is in a different family group.This indicates that one or more other users on this console are in different family groups from the person trying to borrow this game. Members of a family group can only lend virtual game cards to other members of that family group.
To borrow a virtual game card with this console, perform one of the following:
Ask the user(s) who are in the other family group to lee their family group and join yours instead. Transfer the user(s) who are in the other family group to a different console. Delete the user(s) who are in the other family groups from this console. The person that borrowed the virtual game card can now play the game (including any DLC you may he purchased) for up to fourteen days. Note that you will not be able to play the lent virtual game card until the game is returned after fourteen days, the borrower returns it early, or you retrieve it. How to return a borrowed virtual game card Select Virtual Game CardsIf you he forgotten your password, please follow Forgot Nintendo Account Sign-in Info.
Forgot PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or entered PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN incorrectlyIf you he forgotten your user-verification PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or you entered the incorrect PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN too many times, follow these steps:
With the PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN entry screen displayed, press the + button.For more information about user verification, read the User-Verification Settings Guide.
Select the game you want to return from the list of your virtual game cards. Select Return to Family Group Member Devolver Rendre à un membre du groupe familial Devolver para um participante do grupo de família . Select Return Devolver Rendre Devolver to confirm. How to retrieve a virtual game card you lent to someone else Select Virtual Game CardsIf you he forgotten your password, please follow Forgot Nintendo Account Sign-in Info.
Forgot PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or entered PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN incorrectlyIf you he forgotten your user-verification PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN or you entered the incorrect PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN too many times, follow these steps:
With the PIN Contraseña Code secret PIN entry screen displayed, press the + button.For more information about user verification, read the User-Verification Settings Guide.
Select the game you want to retrieve from the list of your virtual game cards. Select Collect from Family Group Member Recuperar Récupérer d'un membre du groupe familial Reer de um participante do grupo de familia . Select Collect Recuperar Récupérer Reer to confirm. Message: The system you're trying to collect from is offline.This indicates that the console you lent the game to is currently turned off or offline. Ask the person who borrowed it to turn their system on, connect it to the internet, and return the game to you.
Note that if you are unable to contact the borrower, the game will be returned automatically at the end of the 14 day lending period.
Message: The game is being played on the borrower's system.This indicates that the person you lent the game to is currently playing the game. You can wait to retrieve the game until after they are done playing, or ask them to stop playing and return the game to you.
Note that if you are unable to contact the borrower, the game will be returned automatically at the end of the 14 day lending period.
Playing your games on more than two consolesIf you he more than two consoles that you want to use to play your digital games, please read How to Play Your Games Across Multiple Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch Consoles.