How to Add Friends on Nintendo Switch

Find and swap friend codes to play multiplayer games with others

A photo of the Nintendo Switch in its handheld configuration

Nintendo

by Stefanie Fogel
Stefanie Fogel has written about technology since 2009. Her work has appeared on Variety, Engadget, Polygon, and many other online publications.
Updated January 17, 2019

Some video games are best experienced with others, but Nintendo doesn't exactly make it easy to find and add people to your friends list. While Xbox and PlayStation owners can find each other via their unique gamertags or usernames, Nintendo Switch owners are stuck swapping unwieldy numeric "Friend Codes." Here, we'll show you where to find your own Friend Code, how to send a friend request, and even how to change your Friend Code if needed.

Link Your Nintendo Account to Your Switch

If you want to send and receive friend requests, you'll have to link your Nintendo account to your Switch first. Doing so is simple:

Don't have a Nintendo account? You can create one here. Please note that accounts for children ages 12 and under must be created through a parent or guardian's Nintendo account.

  1. Select System Settings on the Switch's home screen.

  2. Scroll down and highlight Users, then select the account you want to link to access its profile settings.

    Screenshot of the Nintendo Switch's System Settings
    Nintendo

  3. Select Link Nintendo Account.

How to View Your Nintendo Friend Code

Once your Nintendo account is linked, you'll gain access to the Switch's online features and can start adding friends to your list. But, you need to find your own 12-digit Friend Code before you can share it with others.

  1. Select your user icon on the home screen.

  2. Select Profile. You'll find your Friend Code on the right side of the screen.

    Screenshot of the a Nintendo Switch profile screen

  3. That's it!

How to Send Friend Requests on Nintendo Switch

If you don't see any of the options listed below, run a system update and make sure your Switch is running the latest version.

Screenshot of the Nintendo Switch Friend Settings

From the home screen, select your user icon, then select Add Friend. From here, you can accept pending requests or send one of your own. There are a couple of ways you can connect with others.

  • Friend Suggestions: This option lets you send requests to users you're already friends with on Nintendo apps, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Facebook, or Twitter.
  • Via Local Users: Pick this option to exchange friend requests with another Switch user in close proximity. If your Switch isn't connected to the Internet, the friend request will be temporarily saved on the console and will automatically send the next time it connects.
  • Via Users You Have Played With: Use this option to send requests to people you've played with in online matches.
  • Via Friend Code: This is where you can enter a specific Friend Code and send that person a request.
  • Suggested Friends: If your Nintendo account is linked to other apps that have friends lists, this option will display them so you can easily send a request.

You can only register up to 100 friends on Nintendo Switch. After that, you'll have to remove some people from your list before you can add more.

How to Change Your Friend Code

If you want to change your Friend Code for any reason, it's simple to do so.

If you change your Friend Code, you'll need to wait 30 days before changing it again.

  1. Select your user icon on the home screen.

  2. Select User Settings > Friend Settings.

    Screenshot of Nintendo Switch Friend Settings

  3. Select Reissue Friend Code.

    Screenshot of Nintendo Switch Friend Settings

  4. That's it! You should now have a new Friend Code. Your Friends List should still be intact too, so you won't need to re-add people after making the change.