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How to Share Games on Nintendo Switch 2 (Spoiler: It’s Easier Than You Think)

There are two methods to share your games between multiple Switch 2 consoles using Virtual Game Cards. And neither one is called GameShare.

If your household has more than one Nintendo Switch 2, you don’t have to purchase the same game again and again for every console. Instead, Nintendo offers two ways to share a single copy of a game you’ve purchased between multiple Switch 2s, using a new feature called Virtual Game Cards. I’ll walk you through both.

Before we get started however, you may have heard of a feature called GameShare, which is also found on the bottom row of the home screen. I’m not talking about GameShare here. 

Confusingly, GameShare doesn’t mean sharing or lending full games with other systems. It’s for when you want to play a multiplayer game using more than one Switch 2 to play. You could use it to play Mario Kart with additional Switch 2s all racing one another on the same track, for example, all from one copy of the game. If you had a Nintendo DS, it is very similar to DS Download Play. 

The two sharing features I’m walking you through below, and in the video above, are different. They’re both ways to share games between more than one Switch 2 without having to purchase multiple copies of the game. Let’s get started.

Method 1: Load the game on another Switch 2

The first method we’ll go through is loading a game on a second, separate Switch 2 system. Both consoles will be able to play the game on their own, but not at the same time. Also, save files will transfer between the two as long as each system is able to connect to the internet. That way, each system will stay up-to-date with progress made on the other.

To start, you’ll need to have your Nintendo account signed in on both Switch 2 systems. On the secondary device (the one without the game) go to Virtual Game Cards, and select your account. Here you’ll be able to see all the games tied to that account, and any game with an empty cartridge icon is currently not loaded onto this system. Select the game you want to share and then Load on This System.

You’ll then be prompted to link the two Switch 2s together if you haven’t already done so. If this is the first time doing this, you may need to unlink your account from an original Switch, like I had to with my old Switch OLED (pictured above). 

Select «Link on the Primary» console and wait for them to connect. Make sure both are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Over on the secondary console, you’ll see that they’re now successfully linked together. You can then proceed to Load on This System. Once loaded, the game will automatically begin to download. 

To stop sharing, go to Virtual Game Cards on the Primary system, select the game, and Load on This System. This will remove access to it on the secondary system.

Method 2: Lending to a family member

Now let’s look at the second way to share your game library. This is called Lending to a Family Group Member and it works kind of like lending a library book. But don’t be confused by the wording – we’re not talking about Nintendo Switch Online family. This is a method to use if you don’t want your personal Nintendo Account connected to multiple Switch 2 consoles. 

The first thing you’ll need to do is add the other member, in this case my SeanTest account, to your Family Group using accounts.nintendo.com/family. After following the instructions and adding the new member, return to the primary Switch 2. Go to Virtual Game Cards, select the game, then Lend to Family Group Member. 

The Switch 2 will mention here that these lent games can only go out for up to 14 days at a time, before they automatically come back (just like a library book). Choose Select a User to Lend To, you’ll then need to bring both Switch 2s near each other. 

On the secondary device, hit continue. Go to Virtual Game Cards and select Borrow. Once transferred, the game will begin to download. 

On the Primary Switch 2, you won’t be able to play that game while it’s lent out. You’ll also be able to see which of your Family Group Members have which games. 

It’s also worth noting that each member can only borrow one game at a time. If you want your game back, select the game and then choose Collect from Family Group Member. The secondary device won’t get a warning. Once it’s loaded, the Secondary Switch 2 will automatically be unable to play the game anymore.

There you have both ways to share games across multiple Switch 2s. Hopefully this helps you figure out which option will work best for your gaming setup.

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sunday, July 6

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 6.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s Mini Crossword took me much longer than usual. 6-Across and 5-Down look like the same clue, but note that question mark, which makes one kind of a jokey answer. Need help with today’s Mini? Read on. If you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

The Mini Crossword is just one of many games in the Times’ games collection. If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Gaping hole
Answer: CHASM

6A clue: Conversation opener
Answer: HELLO

7A clue: Group of five found in «Julia Roberts» and «Austin Powers»
Answer: AEIOU

8A clue: Ben of Broadway
Answer: PLATT

9A clue: «Keep it down!»
Answer: SHH

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Bloke
Answer: CHAP

2D clue: Inside part of a golf club
Answer: HEEL

3D clue: A.k.a. name
Answer: ALIAS

4D clue: Animal that talks comically slowly in «Zootopia»
Answer: SLOTH

5D clue: Conversation opener?
Answer: MOUTH

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for July 6, #286

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for July 6, No. 286.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Need some answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition? Sitting here in Seattle, I was proud to nail the yellow category immediately (I might have had to move if I didn’t get it right.) The green category wasn’t too tough, but the others were more difficult. Read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That’s a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can continue to play it free online.  

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: The bluest skies you’ll ever see…

Green group hint: And now it’s pouring.

Blue group hint: Empire State hoops.

Purple group hint: QB’s CV.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Seattle teams.

Green group: Seen during a baseball rain delay.

Blue group: Members of the New York Liberty.

Purple group: Teams Baker Mayfield has played for.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is Seattle teams. The four answers are Kraken, Mariners, Reign and Seahawks.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is seen during a baseball rain delay. The four answers are grounds crew, lightning, ponchos and tarp.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is members of the New York Liberty. The four answers are Cloud, Ionescu, Jones and Stewart.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is teams Baker Mayfield has played for. The four answers are Browns, Buccaneers, Oklahoma and Texas Tech.

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Technologies

This Mario-Style Case for Nintendo’s Switch 2 Is Just $19 With This Lingering July 4th Deal

Protecting your Nintendo Switch 2 just got cuter and cheaper thanks to this Fourth of July discount. But you’ll need to jump into action before it disappears.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has been around for just about a month and has already set records for units sold. CNET’s Scott Stein made mention of its improved graphics and slim design. If you’ve already purchased this popular handheld, then adding a case for protection is a great way to get some peace of mind. We’ve found this Palpow Nintendo Switch 2 Mario-style case for just $19 — thanks to a lingering Fourth of July deal. This saves you $5 off its usual price at Amazon. This is an adorable way to secure your prized handheld gaming device and protect your investment.

This Palpow case recalls Mario’s signature red shirt and overalls and includes two yellow buttons that clasp shut. Two elastic straps secure the Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo OLED into place and two side zippers keep everything enclosed. The case’s red outer shell can withstand bumps, falls and scratches so your handheld console doesn’t have to.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.

The inside of this case has storage space for up to 10 games, as well as a small pocket you can use to store charging cables and accessories.

Looking for more accessories for your Nintendo Switch 2? We’ve got a list of third-party accessories available in case you want more options. We’re also keeping track of lingering Fourth of July and early Prime Day deals so you can keep saving on tech, accessories, kitchen appliances and more.

GAMING HEADPHONE DEALS OF THE WEEK

Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.

Why this deal matters

Buying a case to protect your Nintendo Switch 2 is one of the best ways to make sure your investment stays safe. If you’re a Mario World fan, this Mario-style case is especially stylish and practical, with multiple slots, straps and zippers that’ll protect your new console, games and extra accessories. This is one of the first discounts on third-party gear for the Nintendo Switch 2.

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