Previously Purchased Digital Content Shows Download Cost on Nintendo Switch
Description:
- When attempting to redownload an item already purchased through Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch, there is a cost associated with downloading.
Important:
- If you see an error message that says "This user cannot play this software", follow these steps.
Additional Information:
- Purchases on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch are tied to the Nintendo Account that was used to make the purchase.
- You can register one primary console per Nintendo Account.
- Once you've registered a primary console, your digital purchases can be played by anyone that uses the primary console.
- Once you've purchased a digital game, you can use your Nintendo Account to access the game on any Nintendo Switch console (primary or non-primary).
- When using a non-primary console, you are the only player that can access digital games that you've purchased. Other players will not be able to access your digital games on a non-primary console.
Possible Solutions:
If a game shows a cost on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch, it means that you are not using the primary console for the Nintendo Account that was used to purchase the game. On a non-primary console, the game can only be started by the player who owns the game. The solution depends on who originally purchased the game.
To determine which Nintendo Account bought the game:
- Check the purchase history for each Nintendo Account on your console. The game will be listed for the Nintendo Account that was used to make the purchase.
- A receipt for each transaction made on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch is emailed to the Nintendo Account that was used to make the purchase. (For Nintendo Accounts for children, the email is sent to the parent/guardian’s email address.)
- Check with other members of your household to see if they remember buying the game. Was the game purchased by you (or someone in your household, etc.)?
Was the game purchased by you (or someone in your household, etc.)?
- Update your Nintendo Switch console to the latest version.
- Change the primary console for that Nintendo Account to the console that you're using.
- If you are already using the primary console for that Nintendo Account, deregister the console, then make it the primary console again.
- On the non-primary console, a digital game can only be started by the Nintendo Account that was used to purchase the game.
- Use the Nintendo Account that was used to purchase the game to redownload the game on Nintendo eShop.
- Launch the game again from the HOME Menu on your Nintendo Switch console.
- As long as the console is activated for the Nintendo Account that owns the game, anyone on the console will be able to play the game.
You will need to use your own Nintendo Account on your console to purchase the game for your console.
- Because the console is not the primary console for the Nintendo Account that was originally used to purchase the game, games purchased with that Nintendo Account are not playable on the console. More info
- If you want to remove the icon from your HOME Menu, highlight the icon and press the + Button to open its Options menu. Select “Data Management” then “Delete Software” to remove the icon.
If you can't find a record of the purchase, it is likely that the game belongs to someone who no longer uses this console (previous owner, visiting friend, etc.). You will need to use your own Nintendo Account on your console to purchase the game for your console.
- Because the console is not the primary console for the Nintendo Account that was originally used to purchase the game, games purchased with that Nintendo Account are not playable on the console. More info
- If you want to remove the icon from your HOME Menu, highlight the icon and press the + Button to open its Options menu. Select “Data Management” then “Delete Software” to remove the icon.