How to Add Friends on Nintendo Switch: A Comprehensive Guide

The Nintendo Switch is a fantastic console for playing with friends, whether you’re battling it out in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, cooperating in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, or exploring the world of Minecraft together. Connecting with other players and building your Nintendo network is key to maximizing your enjoyment. However, the process of adding friends on the Nintendo Switch isn’t always immediately obvious. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the different ways to add friends, providing detailed steps and instructions so you can get connected and start gaming together in no time.

Understanding Friend Connections on Nintendo Switch

Before we dive into the “how,” it’s helpful to understand the different ways you can connect with people on your Nintendo Switch. There are primarily four methods:

1. Local Wireless Play: This is for when you’re in the same physical location as your friends, and you can connect through local wireless communication. This typically does not involve adding each other as ‘friends’ on the system level.
2. Online Play: This is when you’re playing with people remotely over the internet. This is where adding friends is crucial for seamless gameplay.
3. Friend Codes: Each Nintendo Switch console has a unique 12-digit friend code. Sharing this code with others allows them to send you a friend request, and vice-versa.
4. User Search: You can search for other users by their User ID, but this requires knowing their exact ID.

This guide will focus primarily on the friend code and user search methods which are the most common for adding friends for online play. Understanding these methods will allow you to connect with friends both locally and around the world.

Method 1: Adding Friends Using Friend Codes

The most common and generally easiest way to add friends on Nintendo Switch is by using friend codes. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to find your friend code and how to add friends using theirs:

Finding Your Friend Code

First, you need to know your own 12-digit friend code. Here’s how to locate it:

1. Power on your Nintendo Switch: Ensure your console is turned on and you are at the HOME Menu screen.
2. Navigate to Your Profile: On the HOME Menu, locate your profile icon in the upper-left corner of the screen. It’s typically a small image of your Mii character, profile picture, or a default icon. Select your profile icon using the A button on your controller.
3. Access Profile Settings: Once on your profile page, you will see various options including ‘Profile,’ ‘Play Activity,’ and ‘Friend List’. Select ‘Profile’.
4. Find Your Friend Code: On your Profile screen you will see your Mii or icon along with your User Name. Below your username you will see the label ‘Friend Code’ followed by a 12-digit number, that’s your unique friend code. This code is what you’ll share with others. It typically looks something like SW-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX.
5. Copy Your Friend Code: While you can’t copy and paste this directly, it’s best to make a note of it by writing it down or taking a picture with your smartphone, so you can easily share it.

Adding Friends Using Their Friend Code

Now that you have your friend code, here’s how to add someone using their code:

1. Go to the HOME Menu: Make sure you’re on the HOME Menu of your Nintendo Switch.
2. Access Your Profile: In the upper-left corner of the screen, select your profile icon as you did when retrieving your friend code.
3. Navigate to Friend List: Once in your profile, select the ‘Friend List’ option on the left. It is usually located between “Play Activity” and “Profile Settings”.
4. Add Friend Option: On the Friend List screen you will see two options towards the top of the screen: “Add Friend” and “Search for Users You Played With”. Select “Add Friend”.
5. Select ‘Search with Friend Code’: On the “Add Friend” screen you will see three options: “Search with Friend Code,” “Search for Users You Played With”, and “Search for Local Users”. Select “Search with Friend Code” on the left side.
6. Enter the Friend Code: Using the on-screen keyboard, carefully enter the 12-digit friend code of the person you want to add. Take your time and double-check each digit to ensure accuracy.
7. Send the Friend Request: After entering the friend code, you should see the other user’s profile picture and username appear. If you are certain it is the correct person, select “Send Friend Request” or the equivalent button.
8. Wait for Confirmation: The person you sent the request to will need to accept it on their Nintendo Switch. You will receive a notification when they do. Until the request is accepted, they won’t appear in your active friends list.

Important Tips for Using Friend Codes:

• Accuracy is Key: Make sure you type the friend code correctly, as even a single incorrect digit will result in an invalid search.
• Share Responsibly: Only share your friend code with people you trust and want to connect with.
• Acceptance Required: Remember that the other player must accept your friend request for you to be officially connected.
• Confirmation: You will be notified when your request is accepted, and their profile will then appear in your Friend List.

Method 2: Adding Friends Using User Search

The second, less common but still viable way to add friends on the Nintendo Switch is by using the User Search method. This requires knowing a user’s exact ID which can be very similar to the User Name they choose for their profile, but is often different. This method is not as straight forward as friend codes because a user needs to explicitly make their User ID public, and it is more difficult to share compared to friend codes. However, in situations where you might know a users ID it’s a perfectly good option. Here’s how it works:

Understanding User ID

A User ID is a unique identifier for your Nintendo Switch profile that is separate from your User Name or display name. Unlike your Friend Code, it is not automatically visible. A user must explicitly make their user ID visible in their profile settings for others to search for them using this method. Not all users opt to make this visible, therefore this method might not always be feasible. This method will work only if the person you are trying to connect to has chosen to make their ID public in their profile settings.

How to Search for a User by ID

Here are the steps to add someone using their User ID:

1. Go to the HOME Menu: Make sure you are on the HOME Menu of your Nintendo Switch.
2. Access Your Profile: In the upper left corner of the screen, select your profile icon.
3. Navigate to Friend List: Select the ‘Friend List’ option from your profile screen.
4. Select ‘Add Friend’: On the “Friend List” screen, select “Add Friend” as you would when using a friend code.
5. Select ‘Search for Users You Played With’: On the “Add Friend” screen select the second option labeled “Search for Users You Played With”. This option is used to search for users by their User ID, even though the label does not explicitly state this.
6. Enter the User ID: You’ll now see a search bar at the top of the screen. Using the on-screen keyboard, carefully enter the User ID of the person you are looking for. The user ID is often a mix of letters and numbers. Double-check the ID for accuracy before proceeding.
7. Select the User: If the User ID you entered is correct and the user has made it visible, their profile should appear below the search bar. Select it. If the User ID cannot be found you should double check for typos and or contact the user to confirm that their ID is public.
8. Send the Friend Request: Once you have selected the correct user profile, select the option to “Send Friend Request”. This will send a request to the user.
9. Wait for Confirmation: The other player must accept your request for you to become friends. You will get a notification once they have accepted.

Important Notes for Using User Search:

• User ID Visibility: This method will only work if the user has made their ID visible in their profile settings. If they have not, you will not be able to find them via search.
• Accuracy is Essential: The User ID must be typed exactly correct, including capitalization and any special characters.
• Less Common: The User Search is a less commonly used method because it requires knowing a user’s explicit User ID, which is separate from their user name and may not be as readily shared.
• Confirm ID if Unsuccessful: If you are unable to find the user by their ID, verify that the ID is correct and that they have enabled visibility in their profile settings.

Managing Your Friend List

Once you’ve added a few friends, you might want to keep track of who’s online and manage your connections. Here’s how to navigate your friend list:

1. Go to Your Profile: From the HOME Menu, navigate to your profile icon in the upper-left corner.
2. Open the Friend List: Select “Friend List” from the profile options.
3. View Online Status: Your active friend list will display users’ online status. An online friend will have a green circle next to their name, indicating that they are currently playing on their Nintendo Switch.
4. View Play Activity: You can see what your friends are playing by selecting their profiles within the Friend List and viewing their play activity.
5. Send Messages via Game: Depending on the game, you might be able to send messages and invites to friends directly within the game.
6. Manage Blocked Users: If you’ve blocked someone they will not appear in your Friend List. To manage your blocked user list you will need to navigate to “Profile Settings” instead of “Friend List” from within your profile, and then select “Blocked User List”.
7. Remove Friends: To remove a friend, select their profile in the friend list, navigate to the bottom of the screen where you will find options like “Remove Friend” or similar, and select this option. You will be asked to confirm that you would like to remove the friend. This will permanently unfriend them.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, you might encounter problems when adding friends. Here are a few common issues and their solutions:

• Friend Request Not Received: If someone isn’t receiving your request, double-check that you typed their friend code correctly. Also, it’s possible that they might have their friend request settings configured in a way that would prevent receiving requests. Ask them to check their privacy settings and if necessary send you their friend code so you can try adding them using their code rather than them sending you a request.
• Can’t Find User by ID: If you can’t find a user by their ID, confirm that they have made their user ID public in their profile settings. If their ID is not public it will not be searchable. Also, double-check the spelling of the User ID, paying careful attention to capitalization and special characters.
• Online Play Issues: If you’re having trouble playing online with friends even after adding them, ensure both your Nintendo Switches are connected to a stable internet connection, and make sure that both you and your friend have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription if it is required for the game you wish to play. Some games do not require an online subscription while others do.
• Blocked Communication: If you are having trouble communicating or sending invites to a friend they might have blocked you. You can check your blocked users list in the “Profile Settings” of your profile page.
• Regional Issues: Some games or services might be region-locked. If you are trying to connect to a friend in a different region, be sure to verify that the service or game is available in both regions.

Tips for a Smooth Friend Adding Experience

To make the process smoother, keep these tips in mind:

• Communicate Clearly: If possible, use voice chat or text messaging to communicate friend codes, or User IDs, and coordinate gameplay with your friends.
• Double-Check Codes: Before sending a friend request, ensure that you have typed the correct friend code or User ID. It’s helpful to double-check both before and after hitting the send button.
• Use External Chat Apps: Apps like Discord, WhatsApp, or even SMS can be handy for sharing friend codes, IDs, and arranging play sessions outside of the game.
• Update Your Console: Make sure that your Nintendo Switch system software is up-to-date for optimal performance and connectivity.
• Be Patient: If you’re having trouble connecting, be patient and try again. Sometimes network hiccups occur, and giving it a moment may resolve the issue.

Conclusion

Adding friends on the Nintendo Switch is a straightforward process once you know the steps. Whether you’re using friend codes or user search, the goal is the same: connect and play with your friends. By following this detailed guide, you should be able to effortlessly manage your friend list, troubleshoot common problems, and enjoy the social aspect of gaming on your Nintendo Switch. So gather your friends, share those friend codes, and dive into some multiplayer fun!