Nintendo Support

How to Create a Nintendo Account

Step by step instructions on creating a Nintendo Account.

Important

The ability to use a Nintendo Network ID, Facebook, or Twitter to sign in to an existing Nintendo Account or to create a new Nintendo Account has been discontinued. We apologize for any inconvenience.

If you are having difficulties signing in to your Nintendo Account and previously used one of these services, please refer to the following:

Information

A Nintendo Account is an account that is required for using certain services from Nintendo, such as off-device software purchases and the My Nintendo rewards program. A Nintendo Account can be linked to your Nintendo Network ID, Google or Apple accounts. (Only users age 13 and older can link to Google or Apple accounts.)

There are some additional age-related requirements for Nintendo Accounts:

  • Users aged 13 or older can create a Nintendo Account.

  • Nintendo Account users age 18 and older can create and add up to five Nintendo Accounts for children (age 17 and under) to their Nintendo Account.

  • Users age 13 and under cannot create a Nintendo Account. They can only be created within an existing parent/guardian’s Nintendo Account.

Complete These Steps:

  1. Go to the Nintendo Account website and select Create a Nintendo Account.

  2. Is the person that will be using the account aged 13 or older?

  1. Select For users age 13 and older.

  2. Select the sign-in method you want to use.

    • If using a Nintendo app running on an iOS device (such as an iPhone or iPad), you will only be able to create a Nintendo Account by registering an email address and password. You can still link Apple or Google accounts after you create a Nintendo Account, or you can create a Nintendo Account using Safari or any other web browser.

What sign-in information would you like to use?

  1. Select the social network service you would like to sign up with (Google, Apple).

    • If creating a Nintendo Account through a Nintendo mobile app on an iOS device (such as an iPhone or iPad), you will only be able to create your Nintendo Account using your email address. You can still link these accounts after you create your Nintendo Account, or you can visit the Nintendo Account website through your internet browser to create your Nintendo Account.

  2. Enter your sign-in information if needed. Review the site’s terms and if you agree to them, proceed to create your account.

    • If you do not remember your log in information for the social media service you want to use, please visit that site's Help area for assistance.

  3. Review the Nintendo Account Agreement and Nintendo Account Privacy Policy and select Continue if you agree to the terms and conditions.

    • If you receive a message that you are not eligible to create an account, please click here.

  4. A verification code will be sent to the email address you provided. When you receive the email, enter the code into the "Verification code" field and click Confirm.

    • Your verification code should arrive within a few minutes, and expires one hour from when it was sent.

    • If it has been over one hour since you requested the verification code but you have not received an email, make sure that you are entering your email address correctly in the account creation screen, then select Resend verification code to have a new verification code sent.

  5. You're done! You can now use your Nintendo Account to participate in various online services, such as the My Nintendo loyalty program.

  1. If you would like to create a Nintendo Account without using a social media account, scroll down to the account information fields towards the bottom of the screen.

    • Once you have created a Nintendo Account, you will always have the option to link an NNID or social media service later.

  2. Enter the following information into the fields:

    • Nickname - 10 characters or less

    • Email address - Your email address can be tied to one Nintendo Account only.

    • Password - Passwords must be at least 8 characters long and include a combination of characters from 2 of the following categories: letters, numbers, and punctuation.

    • Date of birth

    • Gender (Optional)

    • Country/region of residence

    • Time zone

  3. Review the Nintendo Account Agreement and Nintendo Account Privacy Policy and select Continue if you agree to the terms and conditions.

    • If you receive a message that you are not eligible to create an account, please click here.

  4. Choose whether you want to receive promotional emails, then select Confirm & Register.

  5. A verification code will be sent to the email address you provided. When you receive the e-mail, enter the code into the "Verification code" field and select Confirm.

    • Your verification code should arrive within a few minutes, and expires one hour from when it was sent.

    • If it has been over one hour since you requested the verification code but you have not received an email, make sure that you are entering your email address correctly in the account creation screen, then select Resend verification code to have a new verification code sent.

  6. You're done! You can now use your Nintendo Account to participate in various online services, such as the My Nintendo loyalty program.

  1. If you are a parent a guardian who wants to create an account for a child, select Proceed on the next screen.

Do you already have a Nintendo Account or do you want to create a new one?

  1. Select Already have an account.

  2. Sign into your account.

    • If you have set up two-step verification, you will be prompted to enter an additional code. Launch the Google Authenticator app on your smart device, enter the code it displays and select Verify.

      • If you do not currently have access to the app, select Use another method to verify your identity and use one of the backup codes you received when setting up two-step verification. (You should have copied and saved these in a safe place.)

      • If you do not currently have access to your backup codes, select Use another method to verify your identity on the Enter a backup code screen. An email with a verification code will be sent to the email address associated with your Nintendo Account. Locate the code in your email and enter it in the Verification code box, then select Verify.

  3. Enter the child's information into the following fields:

    • Nickname - 10 characters or less

    • Email address - Your email address can be tied to one Nintendo Account only.

    • Password - Passwords must be at least 8 characters long and include a combination of characters from 2 of the following categories: letters, numbers and punctuation.

    • Date of birth

    • Gender (optional)

  4. Review the Nintendo Account Agreement and Nintendo Account Privacy Policy and select “Submit” if you agree to the terms and conditions.

    • If you receive a message that you are not eligible to create an account, please click here.

  5. You're done! Your child's account has been created. Share its sign-in information with your child.

    You can also use Parental Controls to apply restrictions on account activity such as online purchases.

  1. Select Create a new account.

  2. Follow the instructions for creating a new account for a user aged 13 or older.

  3. Once a parent/guardian account is created, create a child account.