Nintendo is known for making it a bit tricky to create online capabilities on its console. Even adding friends on Nintendo Switch with friend codes can be a bit of a hassle. Fortunately, Nintendo has made it a bit easier over the years.
But if you’re new to console, it can be a little overwhelming. Unlike PlayStation or Xbox, Nintendo’s online systems can seem quite archaic to some.
Adding friends on Nintendo Switch is not as easy as it is on other consoles. It involves sharing complicated friend codes which you then have to enter to initiate the request in the first place.
But follow along and we’ll try to make the process a little easier for you.
How to find your Nintendo Switch friend code
Nintendo does not give users unique gamertags when they create an account. Instead, the platform assigns everyone a unique friend code that they share to add new friends.
As you can imagine, it’s not the most intuitive design out there. It’s hard to remember your own unique code to share with your friends. Not to mention the hassle of typing in the codes with the Switch’s controller or touchscreen.
But that’s how Nintendo set it up. So first, let’s take a look at how to find and share your friend code on Nintendo Switch so that you can add friends.
Start loading your console and log in to your account. Then follow the steps below:
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Tap you profile picture in the top left corner
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Navigate to the Profile tab
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Do you think Friend Code at the right
And there you can find your friend code. This is the code you give your friends so they can send you a friend request. So now let’s see how we can do that.
Sending a Nintendo Switch Friend Request with a Friend Code
So now let’s take a look at how to actually add a friend on your Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch Lite. On your Nintendo Switch itself, you have a few different options. We’ll start by looking at friend codes.
- Tap you profile image in the upper right corner
- Scroll down to the Add friend tab on the right
- Select Search with Friend Code
- Enter the friend code and select Okay
Once you’ve done that, the person whose friend code you enter will receive a notification the next time they log in. Then they can go to the same Add friend menu to accept it.
Alternatively, you can use the Search for local users function to add friends. If you and your friend both have your Nintendo Switch in the same location, you can use this option to quickly add friends.
The last option you have on the Switch console itself is adding friends you’ve recently played online with.
Choose the Search for users you’ve played with option to display a list of users that you have played online matches with. From there, you can send them a quick friend request not to bother with friend codes.
Use your phone to add friends on Nintendo Switch
As you can see, adding friends on your Nintendo Switch isn’t the easiest thing in the world. Unless you’re sitting next to your friends who also have their consoles or you’re looking for someone you’ve already played with, you’ll have to work with those pesky friend codes.
However, Nintendo at least acknowledges that this method isn’t easy or intuitive for most gamers. The company has even added some additional ways to add friends using the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app.
You need to start by downloading the Nintendo Switch Online app for your iOS or Android device. Then follow the steps to link your Switch account to the app account.
Once you’re done with that, you have a few other options for adding new friends on your Nintendo Switch.
Using the Nintendo Switch Online app to copy your friend code
One of the first features of the Nintendo Switch Online app is the ability to copy your friend code to your phone’s clipboard. Then you can just paste it on your device and send it to anyone you want to add as a friend. That’s how it works:
- Open the Nintendo Switch Online app and tap your profile picture in the upper right corner
- Press to copy symbol next to your friend code
Once you’ve done that, you can paste your friend code anywhere and share it with your friends. They can also use the app to Enter the code by tapping the Friend Requests section from the same menu.
That’s an easier method than having to manually remember or shout your friend code so that someone can send you a friend request.
But Nintendo recently went a step further and added the ability to add friends using a URL or QR code.
Add friends with a URL
To make it even easier, you can copy your friend code as a URL. Then when you share it with your friends, the app will automatically open with your friend code entered so they can send you a request. It can be found in the same section of the app:
- Open the Nintendo Switch Online app and tap your profile picture in the upper right corner
- Press menu with three dots next to your friend code
- Select Copy as URL
The app then creates a custom URL and saves it to your clipboard. You can then share that URL with friends, and when they open it, they’ll be prompted to send you a friend request.
Keep in mind that anyone with your custom URL can send you a friend request on your Nintendo Switch.
Add Nintendo Switch friends with a QR code
Perhaps the most useful option Nintendo has added to the app is the ability to save your friend code as a QR code.
Then you can always have it at hand in your phone’s photo gallery to share whenever you want. Check this out:
- Open the Nintendo Switch Online app and tap your profile picture in the upper right corner
- Press menu with three dots next to your friend code
- Select Save as QR code
With this method, the app will create a unique QR code for you and save it on your device. Then whoever scans the code is automatically asked to send you a friend request.
But remember, just like the URL option, anyone with the QR code can send you friend requests.
Nintendo’s complex friend request process is made easier by the mobile app
While it’s entirely possible to add friends to the Nintendo Switch from the console itself, it’s not the easiest process out there. You are dealing with 12-digit friend codes that are difficult to remember.
You can add friends who are nearby a little easier. And if you have the Search for users you’ve played with option, the process isn’t that bad either.
But the easiest way to add friends on Nintendo Switch is through the Nintendo Switch Online mobile app. There you can easily copy your entire friend.
Or you can take it a step further and copy your code as a URL or a QR code that will automatically prompt other users to send you a friend request.
However you want to add friends, this article should help you on your journey. Don’t you just like Nintendo’s overly complicated processes?
Do you have any thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below or transfer the discussion to our Twitter or Facebook.
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