Multiple switch/game sharing

[ElfDragon]

Can someone talk me through having games on more than one Switch, please? Very simple terms, explain it like I’m 5 😀 We have had multiple Switches for years, but the recent(ish) change to virtual games cards has really screwed things up. We are not trying to game the system, or have more than one player playing the same online game at the same time, but we did used to be able to play games at the same time (for the most part) and now can’t anymore.

our set up:

Switch Oled (ds’ switch, gets the most use. In old terms, this was designated Primary switch)

Switch (mine, I am account holder and buy the games. I have an account on each switch, which previously enabled the other users to play the downloaded games)

Switch Lite (dd2’s. Doesn’t play a huge amount, but may want to more as she moves out and goes to uni. Wants to share some core games with ds (not to play at the same time, but to be able to access easily))

How can I enable it so that things like MarioKart are accessible from each switch without a whole fuss about ejecting game cards and connecting switches to move the game card over? We used to be able to pick up any switch, and as long as the downloaded game was not being played by anyone else, then it was usable. Now it isn’t, but apparently there is a way.

I cannot make it work. Every time I try to play Mariokart on my switch, I have to Bluetooth connect to ds’, switch the virtual game card over, then I can play. When he wants it back, we have to do it all again. Annoying if eg I want to play Mariokart, and have to interrupt ds playing Minecraft to link our switches. And won’t be possible for ds and dd2 to do all the time next year when she has moved out, as obviously their switches won’t be next to each other to link.

I have read articles about this, and it’s just a lot of words, I can’t seem to make it happen.

does anyone know and can explain, in very simple terms, how I can get ds and dd2 able to easily switch over virtual game cards so they can each play games (separately)?

From what I understand, it's meant to replicate physical cartridges i.e. if you lent a physical cartridge to someone, you wouldn't be able to use it until they gave it back to you. So I'm not sure you can do what you're trying to. However, I could be wrong!

Thanks. I’ve read reports of people being able to pretty much use the old system (which basically checked if another profile was playing the game, and if not, then the 2nd switch could play), but I can’t make it work, which is really frustrating.

I’ll keep trying.

I understand that 2 consoles can’t play the same game at the same time (unless 2 copies are bought), but I don’t want to do that. I don’t understand why eg ds can’t play Mariokart, and dd2 play Hogwarts legacy at the same time, but they can’t.

Have a read of this. (Very trusted source btw). arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/03/nintendos-new-system-for-sharing-digital-switch-games-explained/

I don’t think you can share/swap games between people & consoles anymore as they have effectively turned off that ability, I think that you have to have one game per console.

I don’t fully understand but I think even if you can replicate the sharing by effectively pretending it is you using your game on a second console the system is now smart enough to block you playing another game at the same time as it will think Elf is playing Mario so I can’t let Elf play Hogwarts at the same time.