The Nintendo Switch is a surprisingly anti-social system when it comes to remote connectivity and adding friends, despite having an insanely wide range of fantastic party and couch co-op titles.
But interestingly, Nintendo hasn’t changed the “Friend Code” system, which debuted on the Wii and 3DS and is their take on the simplest way to add friends. So, if you don’t know how to use it, this article, we will show you how to add friends on your Nintendo Switch using the following methods:
- Via local users
- Via users you’ve played with
- Via friend code
What You Should Know
First, while we’ll show you how to add friends to your Switch using the 12-digit friend code, there are a few other options. Keep in mind that these are only sometimes as dependable or simple as the friend code.
The first method is to look for local users. This is most easily accomplished when playing co-op games that require multiple systems. You can use that feature to “search” for a console belonging to a friend or family member and add them with the click of a button. However, their console must be in the same area as yours to add them.
Another option is to add friends you’ve previously played with. This is a helpful feature if you played an online multiplayer game with someone but still need their friend code. But be cautious: this option only sometimes works! So, whenever possible, obtain friend codes.
Those you played with online, as well as others who have your Switch friend code, may also send you friend invites. When they make a request, click on your user symbol in the top-left corner of the home screen.
Scroll down and select “Received Friend Requests” from the Add Friend menu. You can accept, decline, or block an invitation. If you accept, they will be added to your friend list.
How to Add Friends on Nintendo Switch: Find a Friend Code
Unless you and your friend have both Switches in the same room, you’ll need your contact’s Friend Code first. Here’s how to get to it.
- Select your avatar from the main Switch menu in the top left-hand corner of the screen. If you don’t recognize your Mii at first glance, the name will appear when you hover your mouse over it.
- There’s no need to go to the side menu; your Friend Code is right there. It’s the third option on the right side of the screen. Grab a pen and jot down the code’s 12 digits (you don’t need to copy the first two letters).
How To Add Friends on Nintendo Switch: Add a Friend
Now that you have the Friend Code, you can add your first friend to your Nintendo Switch.
- To add friends, go to your profile page and select your avatar in the top left-hand corner of the home screen.
- Choose “Add Friend” from the menu on the left side of the page. It’s the item second from the bottom of the list.
- If you’re in the same room as the person, select “Search for Local Users” or add them as someone you’ve previously played with.
However, the simplest method is to select “Search with Friend Code.”
- Enter the code of the friend you want to connect with. When you’re finished, press Enter to confirm.
- If you correctly enter the Friend Code, you’ll see their name, avatar, and play history. If everything appears to be in order, click “Send Friend Request.”
How To Add Friends on Nintendo Switch: Accept a Friend Request
- Follow the same steps as before to accept a friend request sent to you: In the top left-hand corner of the home screen, select your avatar.
- Choose “Add Friend” from the menu on the left. Select “Received Friend Requests” from the menu on the right this time.
- Locate and accept the appropriate friend request. Choose “Become Friends” to add them to your list.
You can now see when they are online, what games they are playing, and what they have been up to recently.
How to Add Local Friends on Your Switch
Adding local friends allows you to send and receive friend requests from people in the same room as you. This means you can play Switch local multiplayer games from the comfort of your couch.
A local friend request does not require an internet connection because the Nintendo Switch searches for nearby Switch consoles using Bluetooth. It’s worth noting that if you can’t connect your Nintendo Switch console to a Wi-Fi network, the friend request process will be halted until you do. And here’s how to go about this:
- Navigate to your profile in the top-left corner of your Nintendo Switch screen.
- Choose Add Friend.
- Select the option to search for local users.
- You and your friend must both choose the same symbol on your consoles.
- Select the user’s nickname and icon.
- Choose Send a Request.
How to Add Friends You’ve Played With Before
If you’ve played an online multiplayer game on your Nintendo Switch and developed a friendship with someone, this option is available from the Add Friend screen. Follow the steps below to add them:
- Navigate to your profile in the top-left corner of your Nintendo Switch screen.
- Choose Add Friend.
- Choose Search for Users You’ve Played With.
- Locate the user to whom you want to send a friend request.
How to Use the Friend Suggestions Option
You can add friends from other platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, and other Nintendo smart-device apps, to your Nintendo Switch.
Before searching for friends, you must connect your social media accounts to your Nintendo Switch.
- Navigate to your profile in the top-left corner of your Nintendo Switch screen.
- Choose Friend Suggestions.
- Choose the device you want to make new friends on and then follow the on-screen instructions.
Adding Friends on Facebook and Twitter
- Tap the user icon. It’s located in the upper-left corner of the home screen. This will bring you to your User Page.
- Choose Friend Suggestions. It’s the third option on the left sidebar menu.
- Choose either the Facebook or Twitter icon. Both can be found at the top of the screen.
- Choose between linking to a Facebook account and linking to a Twitter account. It’s the button to the right at the bottom of the main page. This opens a full-screen login screen for either Facebook or Twitter.
- Enter your login credentials and then tap Continue or Authorize App. When your password is accepted, you’ll be shown a list of friends who also own a Nintendo Switch.
- Choose a friend. Your friend’s information will be displayed.
- Select Send Friend Request. It’s on the left sidebar, below the user’s profile picture and username. This sends your friend a friend request.
- Tap Ok. It’s the button at the bottom of the confirmation pop-up window. When your friend accepts the request, they will be added to your friend list.
- Begin a game with a friend. If your friend is in the same room as you, you can play various multiplayer games that support local wireless play against them. Start the game and follow the on-screen instructions to add a local friend. See this method for starting an online game with a friend.
Getting Started in an Online Game with a Friend
Subscribe to the Nintendo Switch Online service. If you want to play games against a friend online, you must both have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
This service was previously free, but a paid subscription is now required. Learn more about the subscription options by visiting this website.
When you sign up for Nintendo Switch Online, you’ll receive instructions on installing the required app. If you haven’t already, follow those instructions.
- On the home screen, launch the Nintendo Switch Online app.
- Select Play Online from the drop-down menu. It’s on the left side of the screen. This displays a list of online friends.
- Choose a friend to compete against. Your friend will be asked to join you in a game. As long as they agree, you’ll be able to play a game together.
- Choose a game. Your subscription grants you access to a massive database of games from which to choose. Press the A game button on your controller to select a game. The game will begin for both you and your friend.
Blocking Friends on Nintendo Switch
You can block and remove a friend if you’re having problems with them or had a bad experience with another player on your friend list.
- Navigate to your profile in the top-left corner of your Nintendo Switch screen.
- Select a Friend List.
- Select Options, then Block for the friend you want to block.
- You can also delete friends if you no longer want them on your Nintendo Switch friend list.
How to Manage Your Nintendo Switch Friend Settings
You can reissue a new friend code, manage blocked users, and delete any linked social media accounts using the Friend Settings function on your Nintendo Switch.
- Navigate to your profile in the top-left corner of your Nintendo Switch screen.
- Switch between friend settings
- Click User Settings.
- Select Friend Settings from the Friend Functions menu.
- You can also manage your nickname, icon, account information, and eShop settings from this page.
Making Someone Your Best Friend
On the Nintendo Switch, you can also turn people into best friends. This will place the friend at the top of the list whenever they go online. You’ll see them first, along with the games they’re playing, and you’ll be able to join them. After adding someone to your Friend List, you can easily convert them to a Best Friend.
Select your User icon, followed by the Friend List option. The list will sort your friends by when they last logged into their accounts to those currently online. Select the friend, then Best Friend, to move them to the top of your list. Follow the same steps to remove someone as a best friend. Best Friends only affects your list, so you won’t have to worry about informing others about them.
On-Screen Changes
You can receive on-screen updates about your friends while playing games with a notification on-screen. It’ll also tell you what game they’re playing and when they switch games, so you’ll know if they choose something you’d like to join.
You can then switch to the same game and join them. Most online games allow you to invite your friends and sync your progress online. To accept an online invite, go to your player icon and then Online Play Invites.
Whether you want to play with real-life friends or meet new people online, use the Switch friend list to quickly find people, play more games, and get the most out of your online experience.
How do you find your Nintendo Switch friend code?
Navigate to your profile by selecting your User icon from the home menu. You can find your friend code under your profile!
What is the length of a Switch friend code?
The friend code for the Switch is 12 digits long.
Is the friend code the same thing as the Nintendo Network ID?
No, it isn’t. Nintendo Network IDs, unlike friend codes, are not generated automatically.
Is it possible to add friends to the Nintendo Switch online app?
It’s now easier than ever to add someone as a friend on your Nintendo Switch account using just your phone, thanks to the ability to enter a friend code into the Switch Online mobile app and send a request.
Why am I unable to add people to the switch?
Before you can send or receive friend requests, you must first link your user account to a Nintendo Account. There are two approaches to making friends. You must either accept a friend request you have received or the other user must accept a friend request you have sent.
Is it necessary for me to pay to play online switch?
The Nintendo Switch requires a paid subscription service in order to play online. However, Nintendo Switch Online not only allows Switch owners to play many games online, but the membership also includes a growing selection of free classic games to download, including Super Mario.
How much does it cost to play Nintendo Switch online with friends?
You can play online multiplayer games on your Nintendo Switch with a Nintendo Switch Online membership. A basic Nintendo Switch Online membership costs $19.99 per year, while a “Expansion Pack” membership costs $49.99.
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