Nintendo Network ID Recovery Process Explained

Nintendo Network ID (NNID) is the equivalent of a Nintendo account but on Wii U and 3DS family of consoles only. In the past, the two were interchangeable, and you could use NNID to sign into a pre-existing Nintendo account or to create a new one. The company discontinued this feature, likely because it was a security risk, and the accounts now operate separately. However, the two accounts can still be linked to share funds for the Nintendo eShop. That means there’s also a chance your payment history on one or both can help you authentication, especially with the last method. With that said, here’s how to recover a Nintendo Network ID.

Table of Contents

1. If you linked and verified an e-mail address

To have Nintendo send the Nintendo Network ID to you, follow these instructions:

Visit the Nintendo’s Network ID Search page in your browser.
Enter the e-mail address and select an option – Birth Date or Nickname.
Enter the required details and click the Send button.

2. If you are still signed in on a console

This applies to both regular accounts and those for children. Here are two ways to find your Nintendo Network ID if you are signed in:

To see NNID on Wii U

To view Nintendo Network ID on Wii U, do this:

Tap on the Mii character of the current user in the top left corner of the main Wii U menu.
You’ll see a user selection screen.
Tap on the user you want to check NNID for.
You can see your Nintendo Network ID in orange letters.

Finding NNID on 3DS consoles

Here’s how to view Nintendo Network ID on 3DS:

Go to the HOME menu.
Open the System Settings menu on the left.
Tap on Nintendo Network ID Settings.
You’ll see it in grey text on the top screen (right next to the word ID).

Steps to retrieve Nintendo Network ID password

You now have your Nintendo Network ID, and that’s wonderful. However, you still need a password to either sign in for the first time or to log out on the console, then log back in. The pre-requisite for this is an e-mail address that was verified in the past.

Logging in to the console for the first time

Follow these steps to get a short-term password:

Visit Nintendo’s NNID Temporary Password page.
Enter your NNID and e-mail address.
Click on Send.
You’ll receive a temporary password from Nintendo, which is valid for 24 hours, and you can log in.
Change the password immediately for security reasons. Here’s how.

Changing password on the Nintendo 3DS family of devices

If you are already logged in, follow these instructions update the Nintendo Network ID password for 3DS:

From the HOME menu, tap on System Settings.
Go to Nintendo Network ID Settings.
Select Password Settings.
Select Change Password.
Enter your temporary password once.
Enter the new password twice and save changes.

Changing password on Nintendo Wii U

Assuming you are already signed in, here’s what to do to pick a different password for Wii U:

Tap on the Mii icon of a user you want to change settings for.
Go to User Settings.
Select Change Password.
Enter the temporary password you received and select OK twice.
Enter a new password twice while tapping on OK in-between.

Recovering NNID on Mobile Devices (iOS and Android)

If you ever find yourself needing to recover your Nintendo Network ID (NNID) on your iOS or Android mobile device. Nintendo provides steps to assist you in the process.

To recover your Nintendo Network ID (NNID) on iOS or Android:

Download and install the official Nintendo Switch Online app.
Sign in with your Nintendo account.
Go to “User Info” and choose to link or unlink your NNID.
If unlinked, select the option to link it and follow the instructions.
If already linked, unlink it first, then proceed to link it again.

Following these steps allows you to recover your NNID on your mobile device and access NNID-related content and features through the Nintendo Switch Online app.

Finding Nintendo Network ID for children’s accounts

Children’s Nintendo accounts cannot use their e-mail address to create an account. Luckily, you, as their parent or guardian, can, because entering your email address was mandatory. Unless they are logged in to the console and can view their NNID in the ways we mentioned, follow method 1 above. Enter your e-mail address, but the children’s account nickname or date of birth.

Get in touch with Nintendo Customer Support

If everything else fails, your only option is reaching out to the Nintendo Customer Care team using a method of your choosing. We described them in our guide on how to recover a Nintendo account. If you want to retrieve your children’s Nintendo Network ID, follow the instructions listed under the Forgot the password for your children’s Nintendo account? headline. There’s a chance you’ll see it under Sign-in and security settings.

Troubleshooting NNID Recovery Errors and Messages

During the process of recovering your Nintendo Network ID (NNID), you may encounter certain errors or messages, and mastering troubleshooting helps you overcome obstacles.

Here are some common errors and messages you may encounter while recovering your NNID and possible solutions:

Invalid email address or password: Double-check the email address and password you entered for your Nintendo account. Make sure they are correct, and try again.
Account not found: This message indicates that the email address or Nintendo account you entered is not recognized. Verify that you entered the correct information and check for any typos. If the issue persists, contact Nintendo Support for further assistance.
Currently, your account is secured: In the event that your account has been locked, several unsuccessful sign-in attempts or suspicious activities are usually to blame. Follow the instructions provided on the sign-in page or contact Nintendo Support to unlock your account.
Another Nintendo account is already connected to this NNID: This notice indicates that your NNID is already linked to another Nintendo account if you see it. Ensure that you’re using the correct Nintendo Account credentials, or consider recovering the associated Nintendo Account instead.

A friendly reminder; troubleshooting errors and messages plays a crucial role in the recovery process. But don’t panic; with the appropriate direction, you can master any difficulties that come your way.