The Nintendo Switch Online membership offers a variety of perks, such as access to a collection of classic Nintendo games, cloud data backup, online multiplayer capabilities, and exclusive content. Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) has several membership options available, including a family plan that allows subscriptions to be shared among family members.
The Nintendo Switch Online family membership enables users to share the benefits with up to seven family members. Everyone in the family group can enjoy classic games, multiplayer functionalities, and other features. Managing individual accounts is simpler with the family membership, which also helps keep track of saved data and personal preferences. This plan is particularly ideal for households that have multiple Nintendo Switch users.
How to Obtain an NSO Family Membership
Purchase a Family Membership Via Your Nintendo Account
If you’re interested in obtaining a Nintendo Switch family membership, there are a couple of methods to subscribe. Start by selecting the Nintendo Switch Online icon located at the bottom left of the Home menu. Then, navigate down to “Membership Options & Support“, where you’ll receive an overview of the available individual and family membership plans.
You can choose from the following options:
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Individual Membership |
Family Membership |
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Individual memberships are only good for one account, while family memberships allow up to eight people in a household to share the subscription. The cost difference between the two options is noteworthy. However, if you have several Nintendo Switch users at home, the family plan becomes a much more economical solution. Eight users for just $34.99 is a solid deal for the base family membership.
The individual plan for NSO + Expansion Pack costs $49.99 for a single user, whereas the family plan is $79.99 for up to eight members. If you include all eight users, it averages out to $10 each, which is more economical than buying eight individual plans.
Alternatively, you can opt for the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack family membership, which provides access to even more classic games from platforms like the Nintendo 64 and the Game Boy Advance, adding greater value to your family subscription.
Already have an individual plan? You can upgrade to a family membership and apply any remaining days from your individual subscription toward the family plan!
After deciding which tier you would like, click “Select a Membership Option” and choose the plan that meets your needs. Next, select “Proceed to Purchase“, where you’ll need to enter your Nintendo account password. Lastly, pick your payment method.
If you prefer, you can also purchase the NSO family membership online using your computer or mobile device. Just go to the Nintendo website, select Nintendo Switch from the menu, and click on “Online service“. Scroll down until you see the “Membership type” option and switch from Individual to Family. Choose whether you want the NSO or the NSO + Expansion Pack before proceeding to payment.
How to Add Family Members to Your NSO Membership
Add Up to Eight Family Members to Your Membership
To invite individuals to your NSO family membership, log on to the Nintendo website and click on “Log in” at the top right. Enter your email address or sign-in ID along with your password, ensuring you are using the account you want to administer. Once logged in, select “Family group” from the menu on the left.
A number of classic Nintendo titles available through the Nintendo Switch Online service include multiplayer functionality. Popular games like Super Mario Kart, Donkey Kong, and Dr. Mario can be enjoyed this way.
On the next page, you’ll be able to add members to your family group. You can also modify parental controls and privacy settings. To add someone new, click on “Add a member“. Remember, you can invite up to seven additional users aside from yourself. If you need to remove a member from the family group, select “Manage family group.” You can also designate a different user as the family group admin through this option.
For parental controls and privacy settings, select the name of the person for whom you’d like to set these features. You can supervise the account or designate it as child-controlled. Setting an account to supervised allows you to limit content and spending privileges on certain accounts and enables you to review activity history.
How to Join an NSO Family Membership
Joining a Family Membership is Easy
If you receive an invitation to join an NSO family membership, you need to accept it to access the benefits. After being added to a membership, look for an email prompting you to accept the invitation. Ensure this email is linked with your Nintendo account. In case you don’t have a Nintendo account yet, you will need to create one.
Check the email from Nintendo regarding your invitation to the family group. Accept the invite to be added and gain access to all Nintendo Online benefits. As long as the membership remains active, you can enjoy features like online multiplayer, classic Nintendo games, and cloud saves—plus, you might even get to play games that were exclusive to Japan. If the membership lapses, you will lose these benefits.
The NSO family membership allows everyone in your household to take advantage of a Nintendo Switch Online subscription at a lower individual cost. Remember to keep track of the renewal date to avoid any interruptions in access. Should you need to make any changes, such as removing a member or updating billing info, the family group administrator can easily do so in the Nintendo account settings.
