Changing between League of Legends accounts might seem like a straightforward task, but the process can become confusing, especially if you manage multiple accounts or play on different devices. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various methods to switch accounts smoothly and efficiently, ensuring you never miss a login or encounter frustrating errors. Whether you’re a seasoned player juggling smurfs, or just need to switch between your personal and a friend’s account, this guide has got you covered.
## Why Switch League of Legends Accounts?
Before diving into the ‘how,’ let’s briefly discuss the ‘why.’ Players switch League of Legends accounts for a multitude of reasons, including:
* **Smurfing:** Some high-elo players create lower-ranked accounts (‘smurfs’) to play with friends, try out new champions, or simply experience a different level of competition.
* **Account Sharing:** While technically against Riot Games’ Terms of Service, some players share accounts with friends or family members.
* **Testing Strategies:** Players might use alternate accounts to experiment with new builds, strategies, or champion roles without affecting their main account’s rank.
* **Regional Differences:** Players might have accounts on different servers to play with friends in other regions.
* **Privacy:** Some players prefer to keep their main account separate from accounts used for casual play or experimentation.
Whatever your reason, knowing how to switch accounts efficiently is crucial for a seamless League of Legends experience.
## Method 1: The Traditional Logout and Login Method (Within the Client)
This is the most basic and universally applicable method for switching accounts within the League of Legends client.
**Step 1: Log Out of Your Current Account**
1. **Open the League of Legends Client:** Launch the League of Legends application on your computer.
2. **Navigate to Settings:** Once logged in, look for the ‘Settings’ icon. This is usually represented by a gear or cogwheel icon, typically located in the upper-right corner of the client.
3. **Locate the ‘Logout’ Button:** Within the Settings menu, find the ‘Logout’ button. It’s usually found in the ‘General’ or ‘Account’ tab. Click on it.
4. **Confirm Logout:** A confirmation window might appear asking if you’re sure you want to log out. Confirm your decision to proceed.
**Step 2: Log In with Your New Account**
1. **The Login Screen:** After logging out, you’ll be returned to the League of Legends login screen. This is where you’ll enter the credentials for the account you want to switch to.
2. **Enter Your Username:** Type in the username associated with the account you want to use.
3. **Enter Your Password:** Carefully enter the password for the account. Double-check for typos to avoid login errors. Remember that passwords are case-sensitive.
4. **Select Your Region (If Necessary):** If you have accounts on multiple servers, make sure the correct region is selected from the dropdown menu. This is crucial, as logging in with the correct credentials but the wrong region will result in an error.
5. **Click the ‘Sign In’ Button:** Once you’ve entered your username, password, and selected the correct region (if applicable), click the ‘Sign In’ button.
**Step 3: Verification (If Applicable)**
* **Two-Factor Authentication:** If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your account (which is highly recommended for security), you’ll need to enter the code generated by your authenticator app or sent to your registered phone number. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the verification process.
**Troubleshooting Tips for the Traditional Method**
* **Incorrect Username or Password:** Double-check that you’re entering the correct username and password. Passwords are case-sensitive, so ensure that Caps Lock is off.
* **Incorrect Region:** Verify that you’ve selected the correct region from the dropdown menu on the login screen. If you’re unsure, try logging in with each region until you find the correct one.
* **Account Locked:** If you’ve entered the wrong password multiple times, your account might be temporarily locked. Follow the instructions on the login screen to reset your password or contact Riot Games Support.
* **Connection Issues:** Ensure that you have a stable internet connection. A poor connection can prevent you from logging in or cause errors during the login process.
* **Client Issues:** Sometimes, the League of Legends client itself might be the problem. Try restarting the client or your computer. If the issue persists, consider reinstalling the client.
## Method 2: Using the Riot Mobile App
The Riot Mobile app offers a convenient way to manage your Riot Games accounts, including switching between them. This method is particularly useful if you play multiple Riot Games titles or want to quickly check account information.
**Step 1: Download and Install the Riot Mobile App**
1. **App Store or Google Play:** Download the Riot Mobile app from the App Store (for iOS devices) or Google Play Store (for Android devices).
2. **Install the App:** Follow the on-screen instructions to install the app on your mobile device.
**Step 2: Log In to the Riot Mobile App**
1. **Open the App:** Launch the Riot Mobile app on your device.
2. **Enter Your Credentials:** Enter the username and password for the Riot Games account you want to use.
3. **Select Your Region (If Necessary):** If you have accounts on multiple servers, make sure the correct region is selected before logging in.
4. **Two-Factor Authentication (If Applicable):** If you have two-factor authentication enabled, enter the code generated by your authenticator app or sent to your registered phone number.
**Step 3: Switch Accounts (If Already Logged In)**
1. **Access Account Settings:** Within the Riot Mobile app, look for the ‘Profile’ or ‘Settings’ section. This is usually represented by a profile icon or a gear icon.
2. **Find the ‘Switch Account’ Option:** Within the account settings, you should find an option to ‘Switch Account’ or ‘Log Out.’
3. **Log Out:** If you see a ‘Log Out’ option, tap it to log out of the current account.
4. **Log In with a Different Account:** After logging out, you’ll be returned to the login screen. Enter the username and password for the account you want to switch to.
**Using the Riot Mobile App for Account Management**
The Riot Mobile app also allows you to:
* **View Account Information:** Check your account level, summoner name, and other details.
* **Receive Notifications:** Stay updated on game updates, events, and friend activity.
* **Manage Friends:** Add, remove, and manage your friends list across all Riot Games titles.
* **Change Password:** Reset your password if you’ve forgotten it.
## Method 3: Using Multiple League of Legends Installations (Advanced)**
This method involves installing multiple instances of the League of Legends client on your computer. This allows you to have multiple accounts logged in simultaneously, which can be useful for players who frequently switch between accounts or want to monitor multiple accounts at the same time.
**Important Note:** This method requires more storage space and system resources, as you’ll be running multiple instances of the game client. Also, be aware of Riot Games’ policies regarding multiple accounts and ensure that you are not violating any terms of service.
**Step 1: Create Multiple League of Legends Installation Folders**
1. **Locate Your Existing League of Legends Installation:** Find the folder where you have League of Legends installed. The default location is usually `C:\Riot Games\League of Legends`.
2. **Create New Folders:** Create new folders for each additional League of Legends account you want to use. For example, you could create folders named `League of Legends Account 2`, `League of Legends Account 3`, etc.
**Step 2: Copy the League of Legends Installation Files**
1. **Copy the Contents:** Copy all the files and folders from your existing League of Legends installation folder (`C:\Riot Games\League of Legends`) to each of the newly created folders.
2. **Ensure Complete Copy:** Make sure that all files and folders are copied completely to each new folder. This process may take some time, depending on the size of the installation.
**Step 3: Modify the ‘LeagueClient.exe’ Shortcut (Crucial Step)**
This is the most important step to make each installation unique. You need to modify the target path of the `LeagueClient.exe` shortcut for each installation.
1. **Create Shortcuts:** In each of the new League of Legends installation folders, locate the `LeagueClient.exe` file. Right-click on it and select ‘Create Shortcut.’
2. **Modify the Shortcut Target:** Right-click on the newly created shortcut and select ‘Properties.’
3. **Edit the Target Field:** In the ‘Properties’ window, locate the ‘Target’ field. This field contains the path to the `LeagueClient.exe` file.
4. **Add the `–app-port=
* `–app-port=
* `–remoting-auth-token=
5. **Example Target Path:** The modified target path might look something like this:
`”C:\League of Legends Account 2\LeagueClient.exe” –app-port=6001 –remoting-auth-token=account2token`
6. **Apply Changes:** Click ‘Apply’ and then ‘OK’ to save the changes to the shortcut.
7. **Repeat for Each Installation:** Repeat this process for each of the League of Legends installation folders, using a different port number and unique token for each one.
**Step 4: Launch the Modified Shortcuts**
1. **Launch Each Shortcut:** Double-click on each of the modified shortcuts to launch the League of Legends client for each account.
2. **Log In:** Log in to each client with the respective account credentials.
**Important Considerations for Multiple Installations**
* **Resource Usage:** Running multiple League of Legends clients simultaneously can consume a significant amount of system resources, including CPU, RAM, and network bandwidth. Ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for running multiple instances of the game.
* **Patching:** When a new patch is released, you’ll need to update each League of Legends installation separately. This can be time-consuming, so plan accordingly.
* **Riot Games’ Terms of Service:** Be aware of Riot Games’ policies regarding multiple accounts. While it’s generally acceptable to have multiple accounts, using them to gain an unfair advantage (e.g., boosting) is strictly prohibited.
## Method 4: Using Virtual Machines (For Advanced Users)**
Virtual machines provide a more isolated and controlled environment for running multiple League of Legends clients. This method is more complex but can offer better performance and security.
**What is a Virtual Machine?**
A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based emulation of a computer system. It allows you to run an operating system (OS) within another OS. This means you can have multiple operating systems running on the same physical hardware, each with its own dedicated resources.
**Step 1: Choose and Install a Virtualization Software**
Several virtualization software options are available, including:
* **VMware Workstation Player (Free for personal use):** A popular and feature-rich virtualization platform.
* **VirtualBox (Free and Open-Source):** Another widely used virtualization solution.
* **Hyper-V (Built-in to Windows 10/11 Pro and Enterprise):** Microsoft’s built-in virtualization platform.
Download and install your chosen virtualization software on your computer. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
**Step 2: Create a New Virtual Machine**
1. **Launch the Virtualization Software:** Open the virtualization software you installed.
2. **Create a New VM:** Look for an option to ‘Create a New Virtual Machine’ or ‘New VM.’
3. **Select an Operating System:** Choose the operating system you want to install in the VM. Windows is a common choice, as it’s compatible with League of Legends. You’ll need an ISO image of the operating system.
4. **Allocate Resources:** Allocate sufficient resources to the VM, including CPU cores, RAM, and storage space. The amount of resources you allocate will depend on your computer’s hardware and the performance you expect from the VM. A minimum of 4GB of RAM and 2 CPU cores is recommended.
5. **Create the VM:** Follow the on-screen instructions to create the virtual machine.
**Step 3: Install the Operating System in the Virtual Machine**
1. **Start the VM:** Start the newly created virtual machine.
2. **Boot from ISO Image:** The VM will boot from the ISO image you provided during the creation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the operating system.
3. **Install Drivers:** After the OS is installed, install any necessary drivers, including graphics drivers and network drivers. The virtualization software usually provides tools to install these drivers easily.
**Step 4: Install League of Legends in the Virtual Machine**
1. **Download the League of Legends Installer:** Download the League of Legends installer from the official website within the virtual machine.
2. **Install League of Legends:** Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install League of Legends in the virtual machine.
**Step 5: Launch League of Legends and Log In**
1. **Launch League of Legends:** Launch the League of Legends client within the virtual machine.
2. **Log In:** Log in with your desired account credentials.
**Repeat for Multiple Accounts**
Repeat the process of creating a new virtual machine and installing League of Legends for each additional account you want to use. Each virtual machine will have its own isolated environment, allowing you to run multiple instances of the game simultaneously.
**Advantages of Using Virtual Machines**
* **Isolation:** Each virtual machine is isolated from the host operating system and other VMs, providing better security and stability.
* **Resource Management:** You can allocate specific resources to each VM, ensuring optimal performance.
* **Flexibility:** You can easily create, clone, and manage multiple VMs.
**Disadvantages of Using Virtual Machines**
* **Complexity:** Setting up and managing virtual machines can be complex, especially for beginners.
* **Resource Intensive:** Running multiple VMs can consume a significant amount of system resources.
* **Performance Overhead:** Virtualization introduces some performance overhead, which can affect the game’s performance.
## Tips for Managing Multiple League of Legends Accounts
* **Password Management:** Use a password manager to securely store and manage your account credentials. This will help you avoid forgetting passwords and keep your accounts safe.
* **Two-Factor Authentication:** Enable two-factor authentication on all your accounts for added security. This will protect your accounts from unauthorized access, even if someone knows your password.
* **Account Organization:** Keep track of your accounts and their respective credentials in a secure and organized manner. This will make it easier to switch between accounts and manage them effectively.
* **Terms of Service:** Always be aware of Riot Games’ Terms of Service regarding multiple accounts and avoid engaging in any activities that could violate those terms.
* **Regularly Update Passwords:** Changing your passwords periodically will significantly enhance the security of your accounts.
* **Be Mindful of IP Addresses:** Riot Games can detect if multiple accounts are being accessed from the same IP address, which could raise suspicion. Using a VPN might help in certain situations, but use it responsibly and in accordance with Riot’s policies.
## Conclusion
Switching between League of Legends accounts can be a breeze with the right methods and precautions. Whether you opt for the traditional logout and login, leverage the Riot Mobile app, or explore more advanced techniques like multiple installations or virtual machines, this comprehensive guide provides you with the knowledge to manage your accounts efficiently and securely. Remember to prioritize account security, respect Riot Games’ Terms of Service, and enjoy your League of Legends experience!