Guide

How to Enable 2FA on Nintendo Account

2026-03-20 · 5 min read · Steven Adams · Last reviewed: March 2026

Your Nintendo Account stores your digital game library, Nintendo eShop purchase history, Nintendo Switch Online membership, and any stored payment methods. Nintendo accounts are a frequent target for takeover attempts — attackers want your game library and any stored payment credentials. Enabling two-factor authentication is the most effective way to protect your account.

In This Guide

  1. How to Enable 2FA on Your Nintendo Account
  2. Why Nintendo Accounts Are Targeted
  3. Backup Codes — Essential
  4. Signing In After Enabling 2FA
  5. Transferring 2FA to a New Phone

How to Enable 2FA on Your Nintendo Account

Nintendo 2FA must be enabled through the Nintendo website — it cannot be configured directly on the Switch console.

  1. On a computer or phone, go to accounts.nintendo.com and sign in.
  2. Click your profile icon and select User Settings.
  3. Click Sign-in and security settings in the left menu.
  4. Under "2-Step Verification", click Edit, then Submit to confirm your email address.
  5. Follow the on-screen steps — Nintendo will send a verification code to your email to confirm your identity before enabling 2FA.
  6. Once verified, Nintendo displays a QR code. Open your authenticator app, add a new account, and scan the QR code.
  7. Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app to complete setup.
  8. Save your backup codes. Nintendo provides a set of backup codes. Download or write these down and store them safely before closing the page.
Nintendo does not support SMS 2FA. The only option is an authenticator app. Any TOTP-compatible app works: Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, 1Password, or Bitwarden.

Why Nintendo Accounts Are Targeted

Nintendo accounts are valuable to attackers for several reasons. Your digital game library can be worth hundreds of pounds. Stored payment methods can be used to make unauthorised eShop purchases. In 2020, Nintendo suffered a large-scale credential stuffing attack that compromised over 300,000 accounts — many through reused passwords from other sites. Enabling 2FA directly prevents this type of attack.

Backup Codes — Essential

Nintendo provides 8 single-use backup codes when you enable 2FA. These are your lifeline if you lose your phone or delete your authenticator app. Each code works exactly once. Store them in a password manager, a secure notes app, or printed in a safe location. If you lose your codes and cannot access your authenticator, recovery through Nintendo's support process can take days and requires identity verification.

To generate new backup codes, go to your Nintendo Account security settings and click Regenerate backup codes. This immediately invalidates the old ones, so update your stored copy right away.

Signing In After Enabling 2FA

After enabling 2FA, the next time you sign in on the Nintendo website or link your Switch to your account, you will be asked for a 6-digit code from your authenticator app. On your Nintendo Switch, once signed in, you will not be asked for 2FA again during normal use. The 2FA step only applies when signing in from a new device or after signing out.

Transferring 2FA to a New Phone

If you get a new phone, you need to re-link your Nintendo Account to your authenticator app on the new device. If you still have your old phone, add your Nintendo Account to the new authenticator app first, then remove it from the old one. If you no longer have your old phone, use a backup code to sign in, then disable and re-enable 2FA to generate a new QR code for your new device.

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What Is at Risk in Your Nintendo Account?

Your Nintendo Account controls access to your Nintendo eShop purchases, game save data stored in the cloud, Nintendo Switch Online membership, and any linked payment methods. Nintendo Accounts have been targeted in large-scale credential stuffing attacks — in 2020, Nintendo disclosed that approximately 300,000 accounts were compromised in such an attack, leading the company to strongly encourage 2FA adoption.

Which Authenticator Apps Work with Nintendo?

Nintendo supports any TOTP-compatible authenticator app. Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, and 1Password all work. Nintendo does not support SMS-based 2FA or hardware security keys — an authenticator app is the only 2FA option available. During setup, Nintendo shows you a QR code to scan along with a text version of the secret key in case you cannot scan the QR code. Save those backup codes shown during setup — they are your only recovery path if you lose your authenticator app.

Nintendo Account vs Nintendo Network ID

Newer Nintendo Switch systems use Nintendo Accounts, while older Wii U and 3DS systems used Nintendo Network IDs (NNIDs). Two-factor authentication is only available for Nintendo Accounts, not NNIDs. If you linked your NNID to a Nintendo Account, your Switch purchases and data are protected by 2FA once you enable it on your Nintendo Account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nintendo 2FA protect my eShop purchases if my Switch is stolen? Your purchased games are tied to your Nintendo Account, not just the console. If someone steals your Switch and resets it, they cannot access your account without your password and 2FA code.

Can I use Nintendo 2FA on multiple devices? Your Nintendo Account can be used across multiple Nintendo Switch consoles. 2FA protects the account itself and is only required when signing in on a new device or browser.

Does enabling 2FA affect my child's linked account? 2FA on the parent account helps protect the family subscription and payment methods but does not directly affect child account logins, which are managed separately through parental controls.