2nd player frustration - Physical vs. Digital

[crawfGB]

I have encountered a frustrating problem when trying to create a 2nd (human) player on my island. It seems physical copies (carts) of ACNH work differently to digital copies (downloaded from eShop).

My setup (bear with me, this is important background info):

• I have two Nintendo Switch systems, a regular Nintendo Switch ('Regular') and a Nintendo Switch Lite ('Lite').
• Each is linked to separate Nintendo accounts and each has two or more profiles set up.

My Problem

• My Regular switch runs a physical (cartridge) copy of ACNH. I have been able to set up a 2nd human player using one of the profiles. No problem. Everything works fine.
• My Switch Lite has a digital copy of ACNH. When I try to create another player using a different profile I get an error message saying... "This user cannot play this software. If you have not purchased the software, you can do so from Nintendo eShop". Except I have purchased the software.

My Frustration:

• I do not understand this. I have a valid, paid-for copy of ACNH but it is not allowing me to do what I can do with the physical copy on my Regular Switch.
• Has anyone else encountered this problem? Is there a workround that will enable me to not feel I should never have bought a digital copy of ACNH?
• Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks.

 

[Bluebellie]

Hi I’m not sure how to resolve the problem. But I think it just might be a bug on your end. I have my copy digitally and I was able to create a second character.

I did notice you said it was a switch lite. Mine is a regular. So it could be either a bug (and the best option to contact Nintendo support), or a switch lite problem.

 

[Sheep Villager]

Just reporting in to say I have a digital copy and have been able to make additional characters. No clue why it wouldn't work for you.​

 

[Your Local Wild Child]

Just reporting in to say I have a digital copy and have been able to make additional characters. No clue why it wouldn't work for you.​

Same. Pretty much everyone in my family has been able to make an account on our digital copy. I wish you luck on your debugging!

 

[bebebese]

I've a regular switch and a digital copy, and I've been able to use multiple profiles no problem. You definitely don't share an account/profile between your switches or anything like that?
I don't know what could cause this, definitely try to contact nintendo support about it.

 

[Hobowire]

i never thought of this. I would like more info too.

 

[crawfGB]

Hi I’m not sure how to resolve the problem. But I think it just might be a bug on your end. I have my copy digitally and I was able to create a second character.

I did notice you said it was a switch lite. Mine is a regular. So it could be either a bug (and the best option to contact Nintendo support), or a switch lite problem.

Thanks for the reply. Interesting that your digital copy works OK. If I don't hear anything else I may well contact Nintendo support. Thanks again.

 

[Rio_]

I can't make a second profile on my Switch lite, but that's because I'm game sharing my digital copy from my main switch to it. That's the same error I get. There might be something set up wrong with your settings that makes your switch lite think your second copy is a gameshare? I really hope you're able to fix it!

 

[stitchmaker]

Both switches have different profiles and bought 2 digital copies (One for each system). I have an extra player on each system and have no problems logging in. Each switch has their own family membership.

 

[tajikey]

I originally had one digital copy on two systems. My primary had two villagers, while my secondary only had one. I went ahead and purchased a physical copy for my second system so both could get online. It wasn't until I deleted the digital copy of the game from my second system that I was able to get online.

Long story short, if both systems previously ran the same digital copy, you'll want to delete the digital game (it won't delete your save data) directly from the system, then pop in the cartridge. This should allow you to do what you want.

 

[crawfGB]

I've a regular switch and a digital copy, and I've been able to use multiple profiles no problem. You definitely don't share an account/profile between your switches or anything like that?
I don't know what could cause this, definitely try to contact nintendo support about it.

Thanks for your question. I've just checked and I do have a profile on both Switches that is linked to the same account. However, it is not used on my Regular Switch for anything ACNH related. On my Switch Lite it is my primary account with the second profile not linked to any Nintendo account. Hope that makes some sort of sense.

 

[sleepydreepy]

Thanks for your question. I've just checked and I do have a profile on both Switches that is linked to the same account. However, it is not used on my Regular Switch for anything ACNH related. On my Switch Lite it is my primary account with the second profile not linked to any Nintendo account. Hope that makes some sort of sense.

Hm maybe you could contact customer support or something because this seems like a complicated situation. Or perhaps you could try unlinking connected accounts between your switch and switch lite.

 

[Xeleron]

I only have one switch and I bought my copy via eShop, I've been able to create other players using different profiles with no issues. Are you using the same email with both consoles? If so, that might be your issue. Honestly, I feel like they just want people to pay for different memberships... I guess it's a business and they are in their right to do it if they want.

 

[IridianSky]

As long as the switch lite is set as the primary console for the account that purchased the digital copy of the game it should work.