Nintendo will stop letting you sign in to a Nintendo Account with a Google or Apple account. Its target date is January 26, 2027. Nintendo says the exact end time may come later, depending on how its system work progresses.
Do you sign in with Google or Apple today, for example in the Nintendo Switch app on your phone? Then set up a password or a passkey now. That way you won’t be locked out when the change lands.
What changes for Nintendo Account sign-in
Nintendo’s support notice applies to Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite and Switch OLED owners. After the change:
- You can’t link a Google or Apple account to a Nintendo Account.
- You can’t use Google or Apple to log in to a Nintendo Account.
- You can’t create a new Nintendo Account with Google or Apple.
- The My Nintendo Platinum Points mission for linking a Google account is discontinued.
If you’re already logged in on a device, Nintendo says you may not need to log in again. Everywhere else, you’ll need your email address or Sign-In ID with a password. A passkey works too. Nintendo’s notice doesn’t give a reason for the change. It does include an apology:
We apologize for any inconvenience to those who used a Google or Apple account to log in to their Nintendo Account.
When you’ll actually need the new login
Staying signed in on your current console or phone may carry you past the deadline for a while. The login prompt tends to appear at awkward moments, though. Think of setting up a new console, reinstalling the phone app or getting signed out unexpectedly. Without a password or passkey ready, those are the moments you could get stuck.
How to set a password or passkey before the cutoff
- Find your account email or Sign-In ID. You’ll need one of them to log in without Google or Apple.
- Set a password. If you’ve only ever used Google or Apple, go to accounts.nintendo.com. Select Forgot your password? and follow the reset email.
- Add a passkey. A passkey signs you in with your device’s fingerprint or face recognition instead of a password. Nintendo explains setup on its passkey help page.
- Use the new sign-in method. Log in with the password or passkey from now on, including in the phone app.
For most people, a passkey is the better pick. There’s nothing to remember, and it’s harder to phish than a password. If you switch password managers, Android can now move passwords and passkeys between them.
If you used Hide My Email or lost access to your email
Did you sign up through Apple and choose Hide My Email? Then the address on your Nintendo Account may be an Apple relay address, not your usual inbox. Check which address it is, since you’ll need it to log in.
No longer have access to the registered email? Android Authority points out that you can contact Nintendo support for help.
Many people picked Google or Apple sign-in for convenience or privacy. They now have one more credential to manage. Setting up a passkey keeps that extra effort small.
Source: Nintendo support, Android Authority
