Technologies

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.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, July 17

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for July 17.

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.

I breezed through today’s Mini Crossword. There’s a little something for everyone. Birders will appreciate 3-Down while musicians will immediately know the answer to 6-Down. Read on for an assist with today’s Mini Crossword. And 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: Workout facilities
Answer: GYMS

5A clue: Pipe dream? Just the opposite!
Answer: LEAK

6A clue: In good spirits
Answer: JOLLY

7A clue: Up to the task
Answer: ABLE

8A clue: Headache-inducing situation
Answer: MESS

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Boston newspaper
Answer: GLOBE

2D clue: TALKS LIKE THIS
Answer: YELLS

3D clue: Mallard ducks with green heads, e.g.
Answer: MALES

4D clue: Drone’s zone
Answer: SKY

6D clue: Rock out
Answer: JAM

Technologies

WeTransfer Backtracks on AI File Training After Backlash: What You Need to Know

The company has updated the changes to its policies after some users objected to new terms.

WeTransfer, the service that allows users to send large files to others, is explaining itself to clients and updating its terms of service after a backlash related to training AI models.

The company published a blog post, «WeTransfer Terms of Service — What’s Really Changing,» that details more updates the company made to its policies, after users noticed that recent changes seemed to suggest WeTransfer was training AI models on the files users are transferring.

In the blog post, the company says: «First things first. Your content is always your content.»

The post goes on to say, «We don’t use machine learning or any form of AI to process content shared via WeTransfer.» WeTransfer explains that its use of AI would be to improve content moderation and enhance its ability to prevent the distribution of harmful content across its platform.

The company adds that those AI tools aren’t being used and haven’t been built yet. «To avoid confusion,» it says, «we’ve removed this reference.»

A representative for WeTransfer did not immediately return an email seeking further comment.

The backlash over the terms prompted users such as political correspondent Ava Santina to write on X, «Time to stop using WeTransfer who from 8th August have decided they’ll own anything you transfer to power AI.»

What this means for users

Anxieties are high about what information users share or store in services such as social media accounts is accessed by companies to train AI models. WeTransfer may be used for highly sensitive file transfers, raising fears that private information might be accessed by AI. According to the company, this isn’t the case.

To further explain, the company said in its post:

«YES — Your content is always your content. In fact, section 6.2 of our Terms of Service clearly states that you ‘own and retain all right, title, and interest, including all intellectual property rights, in and to the Content’.»
«YES — You’re granting us permission to ensure we can run and improve the WeTransfer service properly.»
«YES — Our terms are compliant with applicable privacy laws, including the GDPR.»
«NO — We are not using your content to train AI models.»
«NO — We do not sell your content to third parties.»

When the Terms of Service change

While eagle-eyed experts understood the potential implications of what WeTransfer’s new terms could mean for people using the service, it’s unlikely that most people would be able to spot such changes.

«Expecting users to fully understand Terms of Service is unrealistic. These documents are often too complex to navigate,» says Haibing Lu, associate professor at the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University.

Lu told CNET that companies would do well to clearly highlight any changes they make to AI-related terms and explain them clearly to give people a real choice. «That’s what true transparency looks like,» Lu says. «Companies are increasingly risking backlash when they update Terms of Service to include AI, especially when users’ data is involved.»

Companies including Adobe, Slack and Zoom have had similar issues with terms changes related to AI, but it’s not just AI that’s the problem, Lu says — rather, it’s the lack of transparent communication.

In the case of WeTransfer, Lu says the company’s response, including revising the terms and blogging about them, «was a smart move and helped rebuild trust. It showed they were listening and willing to act fast.»

WeTransfer could include more understandable language in its terms, or communicate the changes better or sooner, Lu says, adding: «Transparency shouldn’t start after a backlash.»