Sharing Switch Games: Virtual Game Cards & GameShare Explained

Sharing used to be easy: take out the cartridge, hand it to your friend, done. For digital games, that was unimaginable for a long time. With the Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo brings this feeling back - in two distinct ways: Virtual Game Cards and GameShare.

This is precisely where most of the confusion arises, as both sound like "sharing games" but do something completely different. In this post, you'll get clarity: what each can do, what each feature is suitable for - and what you need to pay attention to.

Two features that are often confused

Before we go into detail, here's the most important reminder - so you never confuse the two again:

• Virtual Game Cards are for lending and taking with you. You temporarily give away a complete game (or move it between your own consoles). During this time, you cannot play it yourself - just like with a physical cartridge.
• GameShare is for playing together in a session. You stream a game live to other players who don't even need to own it. As soon as the session ends, access also ends.

In short: Virtual Game Cards are about temporary ownership, GameShare about playing together in the moment. Both only work with digitally purchased games from the Nintendo eShop - not with physical cartridges. Nintendo introduced both with a system update at the end of April 2025.

Virtual Game Cards: digital games like cartridges

All digital games and DLCs you buy in the eShop are treated as "virtual game cards" by the Switch 2. You can "load" them onto a console and "eject" them again - just like a physical cartridge. If a virtual game card is loaded onto a console, it can be played without an internet connection, and all other users on that console can also start the game.

This is the first "aha" moment: if someone in the same household plays on your console, you don't have to "lend" anything - loaded games are available to all profiles on the device. This applies to your entire library, whether first-party, indie, or third-party. Only with individual demos and some Nintendo Switch Online exclusive titles can the function be restricted.

Managing and hiding Virtual Game Cards

You'll find your virtual game cards as a separate app in the HOME menu, where you can sort them (e.g., by purchase date or alphabetically). Two practical extras that are often overlooked:

• Manage via browser or smartphone: Through your Nintendo account, you can see in the browser which console a game is currently loaded on, and eject it from there or load it onto another console - practical if the second console is not currently at hand.
• Hide games: Individual titles can be hidden from the list (select game → Options → Hide). Ideal if children are browsing your library and you don't want them to see certain games. You can bring them back by selecting "Show hidden."

Taking games between your consoles

Virtual Game Cards are also practical if you have more than one console yourself - for example, a Switch 2 for home and a Switch for on the go. You can freely move your virtual game cards between up to two consoles, as long as both are switched on (or in sleep mode) and connected to the internet.

The very first time, the two consoles must be "paired" once - this happens via a local connection plus internet, so it's best to have both devices side by side. After that, an internet connection is sufficient for switching. You eject the card on one console and load it on the other - just like a cartridge. Important: as soon as a game has moved to the second console, you can no longer play it on the first.

There are two things you should know:

• Switch 2 games stay on the Switch 2: Switch 2 exclusive titles and "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" games can only be loaded onto a Switch 2 - not onto a classic Switch.
• The same game on two consoles? Officially, you can only play a virtual game card on one console at a time. However, by using the "Online License" setting, you can also play a game from your account on a second console as long as it is online - but the same copy simultaneously online on two devices is not possible.

Are you just upgrading from the old Switch? Then you don't have to swap every card individually - Nintendo offers a complete system transfer that takes your entire library, save data, and profiles with it. How to perform a clean reset afterwards, if necessary, is shown in our article Resetting your Switch 2 - with and without data loss.

Lending games to family - here's how

It gets really exciting when lending to other people. This happens via your Nintendo Account family group (up to eight members). You don't add members on the console, but in the browser via Nintendo Account management - the invited person then has to accept the invitation. Once the group is set up, proceed as follows:

1. Open Virtual Game Cards in the HOME menu.
2. Select the game you want to lend and tap "Lend to Family Group Member".
3. Select the person who should receive the game. They then open the Virtual Game Card app and accept the game with their profile.

For lending to work, there are a few clear rules - you should know them before you try it:

• Proximity required: Both consoles must be close to each other when lending or borrowing and connected to the internet. It is not possible remotely via the internet alone.
• Family group only: The other person must be part of your Nintendo Account family group.
• 14-day loan period: A virtual game card is lent for 14 days and then automatically returned. The borrower can return it earlier, you can also retrieve it earlier if needed - and then lend it again.
• Limits: You can lend up to three games simultaneously. However, only one game can be borrowed per person at a time, and only one card can be borrowed by a specific console at a time.
• DLC included: If you lend a game, purchased DLCs are also lent.
• You pause: As long as a game is lent, you cannot play it yourself - just like with a real cartridge.
• Save data remains: If the borrower returns the game, their save data remains on their console. If they borrow it again later or buy it themselves, they can continue seamlessly.
• Not possible everywhere: Some games do not support lending.

For families with children, it's worth taking a look at the account and parental control settings beforehand. We show you how extensive the Switch 2 has become in this regard in our article on the accessibility and account features of the Switch 2.

GameShare: playing together, even without owning the game

GameShare is the second, completely different feature. It's not about lending, but about playing together: As the host, you share a supported game via streaming, and your fellow players can join in immediately - without owning or downloading the game themselves.

Here's how it works:

• Host is always a Switch 2: A GameShare session can only be started from a Switch 2 with a GameShare-enabled game.
• Local (on-site): Both Switch 2 and classic Switch consoles can join via local wireless connection - however, Switch 2 exclusive titles cannot be played on an old Switch.
• Online: GameShare via the internet only works between Switch 2 consoles - and everyone must be in a GameChat room together.
• Up to four systems: A total of up to four consoles can participate in a session.
• Only the host saves: Only the host's save data is updated - guests do not get their own save data.
• Session-bound: Guests only play during the active session. Afterwards, the game icon remains in the HOME menu, so that if interested, they can go directly to the eShop and buy it.
• Parental controls apply: Age ratings set on the receiving console still apply.

And here's how you start a round: As the host, you open the game and select the GameShare option. The players tap the GameShare icon (in the bottom bar) in the HOME menu, select "Accept GameShare" and join the session. Over the internet, this all happens in a shared GameChat room.

An important note: Not every game supports GameShare - it's only selected titles, and some of them only locally. Nintendo keeps an updated list of currently supported games on its support pages; the list will grow over time. Because the image is streamed, the quality may also be slightly lower than with the directly installed game, and over the internet, latency depends on your connection.

Regarding prerequisites: For GameShare over the internet, you need GameChat, and GameChat is part of Nintendo Switch Online (the free GameChat trial ended on March 31, 2026). GameShare locally on-site, however, works without an online membership. If you travel a lot while gaming online, also check out our VPN guide for the Switch 2.

What you need for it

To keep track, here are the prerequisites summarized:

• For Virtual Game Cards (Lending): a Nintendo Account family group, both consoles nearby and online, digitally purchased games.
• For Virtual Game Cards (Taking with you): up to two linked consoles, local + online for initial pairing, then online.
• For GameShare locally: a Switch 2 as host, a GameShare-enabled game - guests can be Switch 2 or Switch.
• For GameShare online: everyone with a Switch 2, shared GameChat room, and Nintendo Switch Online.

Speaking of library: Digital game collections grow quickly, and the Switch 2 relies on particularly fast memory cards. Suitable cards, controllers, and other Switch 2 accessories can be found in our overview - with fast shipping from Germany. If your Switch 2 is brand new, it's also worth taking a look at the release, price, and hardware of the Switch 2 as well as the matching controller for co-op gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Virtual Game Cards and GameShare?

Virtual Game Cards are for lending and taking complete games (temporarily, e.g., 14 days to family). GameShare is for playing together in an ongoing session - the game is streamed, and access ends after the session.

Can I share a game with friends who don't own it?

Yes, via GameShare. However, they must play along during the session. You cannot "give away" a game permanently - lending is only possible within your family group via Virtual Game Cards.

Does every game support GameShare?

No. GameShare only works with selected titles, some of which are local only. You can find the current list of supported games on Nintendo's support pages - it will be expanded gradually.

How long can I lend a game?

14 days. After that, the virtual game card automatically returns to you. You can return or retrieve it earlier at any time, and then lend it again.

Do I need Nintendo Switch Online?

For GameShare over the internet, yes, because it requires GameChat. Local GameShare on-site and lending Virtual Game Cards within the family group do not require an online membership (but an internet connection when lending).

Does this work with physical game cartridges?

No. Virtual Game Cards and GameShare only refer to games purchased digitally from the eShop.

Does my fellow player keep their save data with GameShare?

No. With GameShare, only the host's save data is saved. Guests do not retain their own progress - but the game icon remains in the menu in case they want to buy it themselves later. When lending via Virtual Game Cards, the borrower's save data is retained.

Can a classic Switch join?

For local GameShare, yes - a regular Switch can participate in a session hosted by a Switch 2, provided the game supports it. However, Switch 2 exclusive titles cannot be played this way. Online GameShare only works between Switch 2 consoles.

Can I load my games onto multiple of my own consoles?

You can move your virtual game cards between up to two consoles. If you want to use your digital game library on more than two consoles, Nintendo describes a separate method for this via the online license.

Are you getting the most out of your game collection with the Switch 2? Then make sure the hardware keeps up. In our shop, you'll find hand-picked Switch 2 accessories - from screen protectors to matching cases, with fast shipping from Germany.