You need a Nintendo Network ID to access the Nintendo Network services such as eShop on your Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. The Nintendo Network ID or NNI is a unique 6 to 16-character identifier created on the device. However, if you have forgotten the Nintendo Network ID, all hope is not lost, as you can recover it. But how do you recover a Nintendo Network ID?
Nintendo understands that there is a high likelihood you may forget your Nintendo Network ID or password; hence they created different methods you can use to recover them. If you still have access to your account on the Nintendo 3DS or Wii U device, you can easily recover your Network ID from the system. And if you don’t, you can use the Network ID retrieval page or contact support for further assistance.
Note that your Nintendo Network ID is different from the Nintendo account. While both are similar in that they allow users to access the Nintendo eShop, they work on different devices. The Nintendo Account can be created off the system and is mainly used for Nintendo Switch, whereas the Nintendo Network ID is created on the system and used mainly on the Wii U and 3DS family systems.
Continue reading this article to learn more about Nintendo Network ID and how to recover it.
Different Ways To Recover Your Nintendo Network ID
Nintendo is a multilinked platform. Hence, you can have funds in your Nintendo Network ID and spend them in the eShop on a device with a Nintendo Account. But you have to link both accounts to use the fund across different systems on the eShop. If you don’t remember your Nintendo Network ID, you will run into roadblocks when you want to link both accounts. Below we elaborate on how you can recover a Nintendo Network ID.
Method #1: Using the Nintendo System
The easiest way to recover your Nintendo Network ID is by using your Nintendo device if it is still logged into your Nintendo Network ID. With this method, all you need to do is navigate within the Home menu to find the Nintendo Network ID.
Here’s how to recover your Nintendo Network ID using the Nintendo system.
- Press the Home button on your Nintendo Wii U or 3DS system to open the Home menu.
- In the Home menu, select the “Friend List” option on the left of your screen.
- At the top right corner of your screen, you will see your Nintendo Network ID displayed in orange.
- Alternatively, you can view your Nintendo Network ID by selecting the “Profile” option.
Method #2: Using the Nintendo Network ID Retrieval Page
You must use the Nintendo retrieval page if you need the Nintendo Network ID to log in to your account on a Nintendo device. Recovering your Nintendo Network ID through this page is a little bit lengthy, but if you can provide the correct information you are asked for, you shouldn’t run into a challenge retrieving it.
Here’s how to recover your Nintendo Network ID using the retrieval page.
- Launch a web browser like Chrome or Safari on your smartphone or PC and go to the Network ID retrieval page.
- Enter the verified email you used while creating the Nintendo Network ID.
- Provide your birth date (year, month, and day) or your nickname, and click on the “Send” button.
- If the information you provided is correct, Nintendo will send you an email with your Nintendo Network ID.
Method #3: Contacting Support
Are you still having trouble retrieving your Nintendo Network ID? Perhaps, you no longer have access to the verified email associated with your Nintendo Network account, or you are generally having issues retrieving your Network ID; the best solution is to contact Nintendo support for further assistance.
Here’s how to recover your Nintendo Network ID by contacting support.
- Launch a web browser like Chrome or Safari on your smartphone or PC and go to the Nintendo Support page.
- Select your region and choose the mode you want to contact the support team.
- Nintendo is open 24/7 except on major holidays and can be contacted via chat, text, call, or ticket.
- When you get in touch with a representative, kindly request to retrieve your Nintendo Network ID and the challenges you are facing, and they will assist you further.
A Nintendo Network ID can be associated with a device at a time. Hence, if you have the wrong Nintendo Network ID on your Nintendo, you should remove it, then create a new one or log in to an existing one.
Conclusion
Overall, retrieving your Nintendo Network ID shouldn’t be too much of a hassle, as Nintendo has made it easy for users to retrieve it. Always try using the Nintendo device or the Network ID recovery page to retrieve your Nintendo Network ID before contacting Nintendo support for further assistance.
And in the worst case, you can always remove the old Nintendo Network account if you’ve forgotten the ID from your device and create a new Nintendo Network ID.
