Multiple Pokémon accounts are allowed, but the rules depend on which game you're playing and how you set them up
You can create more than one Pokémon game account on a single device. Nintendo and The Pokémon Company do not ban players for having alternate accounts. However, the way you create and manage those accounts matters—some methods work smoothly, others create problems with saves, progress tracking, or online features.
The core rule is simple: one Nintendo Network ID (or Nintendo Account) per game save file. If you want two separate save files on the same Switch, you need two separate user profiles on the device itself. If you're playing on a phone, you need two separate app logins or two separate devices. The restriction exists to prevent save file corruption and to keep online features tied to a single account, not because the company forbids alt accounts.
Key Takeaways
- On Nintendo Switch, create a second user profile on the device, then start a new game under that profile—this is the official way to run multiple save files.
- On mobile Pokémon games, you log in with a separate Pokémon Trainer Club account or Google/Apple ID to create an alt account on the same phone.
- Trading and battling between your own accounts works fine, but you cannot use alt accounts to duplicate items or Pokémon in ways that break the game's economy.
- If you share a device with family members, each person should have their own user profile so their save file stays separate and protected.
- Selling or trading accounts violates the terms of service, even if you own both accounts yourself.
How to set up an alt account on Nintendo Switch
On Switch, go to System Settings, select Users, and create a new user profile. You do not need a second Nintendo Account for this step—a local profile works. Start Pokémon under the new profile, and the game will create a fresh save file tied to that profile.
If you want that alt account to access online features (trading, raids, or online battles), you will need to link a Nintendo Account to that profile. You can use a second Nintendo Account, or you can link the same Nintendo Account to multiple profiles—but only one profile at a time can use that account for online play. This is where confusion often starts: linking one Nintendo Account to two profiles does not give both profiles online access simultaneously. Only the profile currently signed in with that account can trade or battle online.
The practical setup for most players is one Nintendo Account per profile. This keeps online features, cloud saves, and friend lists separate and prevents accidental overwrites.
How to set up an alt account on mobile Pokémon games
Pokémon Go, Pokémon Unite, and other mobile titles use a login system separate from your device's user account. Open the game, look for the login or account settings menu, and sign in with a different Pokémon Trainer Club account, Google account, or Apple ID than your main account.
You can have multiple logins on the same phone because each login is tied to a separate Pokémon account, not to your device. Switching between accounts usually requires logging out and logging back in, which takes a few seconds. Some games let you link multiple accounts to the same email address, while others require separate emails—check the game's login screen to see what it accepts.
Keep your login credentials written down somewhere safe. If you forget the password to an alt account, recovery can take time, and support may ask you to verify ownership of the email address tied to that account.
What you can and cannot do with alt accounts
You can trade and battle between your own accounts. If you have a Pokémon on your main account that you want on your alt, you can trade it over (on games that support trading). You can also use an alt account to farm items or Pokémon and move them to your main account through legitimate in-game trades.
You cannot use alt accounts to duplicate items, bypass level caps, or circumvent the game's progression systems. Duplication exploits—whether done through alt accounts or any other method—violate the terms of service. If the game detects duplication, both accounts can be flagged or suspended.
You also cannot sell, trade, or give away an account to another person, even if you created it and own the email address. Accounts are non-transferable. If you try to sell an alt account and the buyer changes the password or email, you lose access permanently, and the new owner's actions on that account can result in a ban that affects you as the original creator.
Shared devices and family accounts
If you share a Switch or phone with family members, each person should have their own user profile or login. This protects everyone's save file and prevents accidental deletion or overwriting. On Switch, you can set up parental controls for younger players without affecting other profiles on the device.
Nintendo Family Groups let multiple accounts share a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, but each account still has its own save file and online identity. This is different from an alt account—it is a legitimate way to let multiple people play on one device without buying separate subscriptions.
Why the one-account-per-save rule exists
The restriction prevents save file corruption. If two different Nintendo Accounts tried to sync the same save file to the cloud, the game would not know which version is correct, and data loss could result. By tying one save file to one account, the game ensures that cloud backups, progress tracking, and online features all point to a single source of truth.
The rule also prevents fraud. If account sharing were allowed, someone could create an account, link it to your device, play on your save file, and then change the password, locking you out. The one-account-per-profile system prevents that scenario.
What happens if you break these rules
If you try to link two different Nintendo Accounts to the same save file, the game will not let you. You will get an error message asking you to choose one account to use for that save. You cannot proceed until you pick.
If you use an alt account to exploit the game—duping items, using bots, or selling accounts—the consequences range from a temporary suspension to a permanent ban. Nintendo and The Pokémon Company monitor for unusual activity, especially in online features like trading and raids. Bans are usually account-specific, but repeated violations across multiple accounts can result in a device-level ban.
If you share login credentials with someone else and they misuse the account, you are responsible. Support will not reverse a ban just because someone else was using your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the same Nintendo Account for two different save files?
No. One Nintendo Account can only be linked to one save file at a time. To have two save files, you need two user profiles on your Switch, and each profile needs its own Nintendo Account (or one account linked to one profile at a time, which limits online features).
Will Nintendo ban me for having an alt account?
No. Having an alt account is not against the rules. Using an alt account to cheat, dupe items, or exploit the game is against the rules. Normal play on multiple accounts—trading between them, leveling up separately, collecting different Pokémon—is fine.
Can I transfer my Pokémon from an alt account to my main account?
Yes, through in-game trading or transfer features. Pokémon Home (on Switch and mobile) lets you move Pokémon between accounts on the same device or across devices. You will need a Pokémon Home subscription to use this feature.
What if I forget the password to my alt account?
Use the password recovery option on the login screen. You will need access to the email address tied to that account. If you no longer have access to that email, contact support with proof of ownership (like a receipt for in-game purchases). Recovery can take several days.
Can I play on two accounts at the same time on one Switch?
No. Only one user profile can be active on a Switch at a time. You have to log out of one profile and log in to another to switch accounts. On mobile, you can run two instances of the same game using a split-screen app, but the game itself only logs in one account at a time.